Quarantine Diary 15.1
(Release from Quarantine)
22 September 2020
With release times staggered throughout the night and morning, I was scheduled for a late departure - 12.15pm.
But a phone call at 11.40pm saying “we’re ahead of schedule, you can leave now” had me scrambling for a final check of every drawer and cupboard.
A final look from the balcony (a cold and rainy Adelaide day awaited) and I was out the door.
I donned a mask and a staff member briskly escorted along the corridor to the lifts .
This was a surreal moment, glimpsing the “backstage”. All the food deliveries, rubbish left outside rooms, security guards… it felt strangely cluttered and claustrophobic.
Bearing in mind there was maybe 16(?) floors identical to this, the scale of the operation became evident.
But it went by in a blur and then I was at reception, removing my mask.
Check-out was done with almost anti-climactic efficiency.
After daily visits to ensure my captivity, the police ticked me off a list and dismissed me politely but without interest. Is that it?
And the hotel did likewise, thrusting into my hand a certificate to certify my COVID tests had been negative and I had “done my time”.
It would have been quicker, but the hotel manager stopped to say thanks for the blogs and time lapse videos.
Then, most unceremoniously, I was outside and waiting for a taxi.
I final glimpse of the hotel which I called home for two weeks…
And within 10 minutes I was checking into another hotel which will be my new home for three weeks - but I can leave this one at my leisure.
