Wednesday 14th September
I am now on day 4/8 of my quarantine. The way it works is a 3 day quarantine and then 4 days of 'self-health monitoring', or as I understand it 'more quarantine'. They like to disguise this ugly truth by calling the last 4 days 'self-initiated epidemic prevention period', which basically just means you still have to stay inside, you just don't need to send your temperature and symptoms to the government anymore.
As I understood it, during these 4 days, I was allowed to go outside for 'grocery shopping'. So I inform the hotel that I will step out for an hour. After going through all the steps, forms, and covid tests, I put my mask on, and step outside my room for the first time since I arrived...
I take myself on a leisurely stroll, getting a feel for the city. I have figured out how to cross the road without getting hit by a motorbike and start to gain some confidence. I type in the route to the nearest bubble tea shop – my first order of business – and come to 就愛Comebuy.
As I head up to the counter I start to panic. I know the word for lychee because I just looked it up on Pleco but it has been ages since I spoke Chinese in person! The whole ordering process goes by in a blur and I walk away with the wrong kind of tea, the wrong size cup, the wrong amount of sugar, and no bubbles in my bubble tea. I'm not even entirely sure how much money I paid.
At this point, my nerves are building up because I realise that I am seriously struggling to understand Chinese that hasn't come out of a textbook. I am faintly aware of someone talking behind me but think nothing of it until I hear a loud 'EXCUSE ME' in a thick Taiwanese accent and I turn around to see a man on a bike who has been trying to get me to move out of his way for some time now.
Out of panic and embarrassment, I duck into the 7/11 on my right, muttering some profanities at myself for my complete lack of Taiwanese street smartness.
My spirits are soon lifted as I look around the shop to see many of the snacks and sweet treats I once treasured as a child in Singapore. I lunge for the Cheetos, and a nostalgic happiness overwhelms me as I walk through the aisles, grabbing bits and bobs that look appealing. When I come to the counter, the very sweet and friendly sales assistant asks if I want a spoon with my yoghurt. Although of course, in my dreamlike state, having not spoken to a human being face to face in 4 days, I freeze.
She holds up a plastic spoon and speaks to me slowly saying 要不要？Despite being spoken to like a 1 year old child, I am grateful for her simplicity as I nod yes and rush out the shop. I make it back to the hotel within the hour. I feel some elation to have made it back to my room, and to have ridden the terrifying lift by myself!I step into the room that has become my safe haven, and vow to myself that I will not leave the comfort of room 2094 again until I have to.
Not that I would have been able to anyway, as within minutes of my return, an email pops up from the university.
It reads:
Isla, If it's not really emergency, please not going out...
I immediately hit reply and assure her that I will not be venturing out again until the end of my captivity. The wild is terrifying, and I have grown accustomed to the comfort of my air-con, free wifi, 3 meal-a-day delivery service, and a balcony with a great view.
Of course, she is not impressed by my excursion, and warns me that I might be fined!
