How the Coronavirus Pandemic is Effecting Expats Costa Rica
Once again, the Coronavirus pandemic in Costa Rica has changed my world putting me on an emotional roller coaster. The US Embassy just informed me United Airlines is offering "ONE FLIGHT HOME". This flight is for ex-pats who have been stranded for weeks in Costa Rica due to COVID 19.
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Beginning March 16th, Costa Rican flights were canceled at alarming rates as a response to the president's directive to close the borders. As a result of this, my family was stuck in Costa Rica with no way back to our home country. This new flight is a way back. It's available but seating is limited and filling up fast. According to the United States Embassy, if I don't book this fight, I run the risk of being stuck again. If I book this flight, I could lose the life I've built over the past five years. But I wouldn't be stuck in a foreign country with limited rights, I would be in my home country during this global pandemic. By choosing to take this flight I will lose my Costa Rica Tourist Visa, my housing, my automobiles, my finances, and healthcare will be directly impacted but I will be in my home country.
If I make the wrong decision, I could end up spreading the virus by coming in contact with someone infected during my travels. It could have a global effect on many countries who have called a state of emergency due to COVID-19.
Do I flee to my home country or do I stay in a foreign country? I've been living in Costa Rica for 5 years, but I am not a citizen.
I'm going to "cut the crap" and talk about how this pandemic has affected my life. As an ex-pat, it has sent me on the emotional roller coaster of anxiety. As I write these words tears pour down my face and I remind myself this is not the end of the world. But this is no joke, people are losing everything, and globally people are dying at crazy high numbers. My decision in the next couple minutes plays into a crazy game of what feels like "Russian Roulette” to me. Where I have to choose between family, health, country, and life. How much do I risk? It's all at stake.
The decision I have to make in the next couple of minutes will have a direct effect on my housing, finances, travel visas, healthcare, and more. If I don't book this flight, I run a high risk that it will fill up quickly and I could end up stuck in a foreign country, again holding nothing but a US Passport with an expired 90-day visa that reads "13 ENE 2020".
Thank you Outlier Lawer Services for keeping us updated
"Tourists (non-Residents) who entered the country after December 17, 2019, may legally remain in Costa Rica until May 17, 2020". (read more)
Costa Rica My Worst Case Scenario
This was the worst-case scenario I came up with six years ago when I talked to my parents, and children about becoming an ex-pat family. All of them asked, "What if something happens?" I would answer joking, "I can always come home by land, sea, or air. If all three of these are closed down at the same time. The world has bigger problems. We're talking the end of the world apocalypse scenario like "Walking Dead" kinda thing and at that point, it won't matter. Even after 9/11, flights came back quickly. So remember, unless it's the end of the world I can and always will be able to get back to you." However, this is no joke. The risk of not being able to get home is real. I now feel like I'm living a bad ex-pat reality TV show.
My days that were once full of words about travel and living out dreams have been replaced with words like:
LEAVE NOW IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK - EXPECT TO STAY INDEFINITELY - FLIGHTS CANCELED - BORDERS CLOSED - BOATS NOT ALLOWED - NUMBER OF PEOPLE SICK HAVE INCREASED - NUMBER OF PEOPLE INFECTED HAS INCREASED - MORE DEAD - HOT ZONE - STAY HOME - NO CONTACT WITH OTHER PEOPLE
The messenger inbox that was once full of people asking me for help with vacation and retirement plans are now filled with:
HELP! How do I get home? What country has more deaths today? Is anyone sick? What airlines are flying today, Is there food on the shelves in your country? Do we stay or should we go? Where do we quarantine when we get to our destination?
I don't know about you, but these words scare the hell out of me. They have brought tears to my eyes while keeping me up at night for the last couple of months. They have made me hold my breath every time the phone rings. The Coronavirus pandemic In Costa Rica has made it so the next flight might not be for months. I miss my parents and kids. I have never been so homesick in my life. I pray there is not an emergency where travel restrictions will keep me from being able to get to loved ones in time.
Coronavirus Pandemic In Costa Rica - Do I stay or flee?
I know that it may be months before I have another opportunity to go stateside. I have considered the risks, but there are pros too. At this moment we have no shortage of food or personal hygiene products. I just called my kids and parents who are all on lockdown and are healthy, at this moment. As of now, I have access to medical care if needed.
I know I run a risk of not being able to get home.
After looking at the options, no matter how emotional I feel, I will not be booking a ticket back to my home country.
The cons of traveling home on the next fight outweigh the risks of staying. We will continue to self-isolate on the quiet hill in the Costa Rica jungle as we monitor the Covid-19 crises.
To my, parents and kids, please remember no matter what happens it's not the end of the world. I will never joke about it again. The world just has bigger problems than me right now, so I will not be coming home at this time. I miss each and every one of you and I promise to return home as soon as it's safe for me to travel.
