Surviving the strangeness of 2020 on Roatan
A Google search for the phrase in my headline finds this definition:
“…Weathering the storm means to survive hardships and come out alive, with minimal physical or emotional pain, on the other side. The literal version of this phrase refers to ships safely navigating poor weather.”
The year 2020 has been stormy for the whole world… both literally and figuratively. Here too, on Roatan.
Our expat community has strong political views so you can imagine the Facebook fights! I doubt there has been more unfriending or un-following than in this year.
Fortunately we never escalated beyond that on the island! It seems Facebook insults suffice.
Then there is the covid-19 virus. Yes, it is here on Roatan… and we spent nearly eight months in various stages of lockdown. As of this writing, the covid-19 emergency center has three patients, and five are in the public hospital.
We mask up, socially distance, and maintain a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, but now circulation is unrestricted and it really feels like life is getting back to island-normal.
As I’ve said before, Roatan is a terrific place to spend a lockdown.
I have a new friend from the U.S. who got ‘stuck’ here in March. Even though international flights have resumed, eight-and-a-half months later she is still here and threatening to never leave.
A tale we hear often on the island!
If 2020 wasn’t strange enough… we also experienced a record hurricane season. Roatan ‘dodged a bullet’ once again, actually twice.
Sadly, the mainland of Honduras did not. Back to back hurricanes, Eta and Iota, made landfall within two weeks of each other and the devastation was monumental. It will take years to recover.
Twelve days later a seasonal ‘norther’ (like a nor’easter) arrived on our island shores, drenching us with torrential rains.
But the best part about a norther? It brings in a cold front.
As I write this, it’s 77F, sunny and breezy. Beats the heck out of chilly temperatures right now across North America.
We will get through this together – our island folks are strong-willed and the expat community is kind and giving. It’s a powerful combination.
There are vaccines being approved and hopefully soon to be distributed. No doubt some will refuse, but it seems to me there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
After all, what else could happen? I know, I shouldn’t ask that!
For sure 2020 has been a stormy year in every way, a weirder year than any of us can remember.
But high season is on the way and frequency of flights to Roatan from the U.S. are increasing…
So come on down because Roatan has “weathered the storm”…
And we’re waiting to welcome you!
John & Barbara Morris
