Commonwealth craving at an all time high

New York City, New York: 11 March 2020

So, here it is. The day I leave NYC. COVID-19 has cured me of one thing - a teary NYC goodbye. If I’m honest, I can’t wait to get to Canada. I don’t know why that is - maybe I’m trading on stereotypes, but I just feel like I’ll be safer in Canada. I’ve been appalled by all the white man history I saw in North Carolina and Virginia and yes I’m now so happy to embrace the Commonwealth. Suddenly anywhere in the Empire feels like home.

It could also be that just knowing Trump is in charge, seeing his press conferences, and having that muddled by Primaries just feels like chaos. Or is it just New York City - it’s edgy and diverse and grimy? Grimy in a way that makes me feel like it could never be as clean as it needs to be in a pandemic.

So with a pandemic under current, I dive into last day chores. I like the last day - lots of cleaning, organising - order from chaos (always my favourite thing). I love giving the gift of a tidy home and happy animals. It feels like the perfect way to say thank you for the opportunity and trust I was given.

And I am especially grateful to Juliet and David, because when I spoke to them at the start of my first day at the Brisbane International in January, and they agreed to me doing the housesit, I was stunned and excited. I was housesitting in NYC! And from there it so quickly fell into place - this year of change.

Last walks with Darwin

Last days also mean travel days. Nothing wrong with that specifically, I’ve always liked change. What I don’t like is public transport with luggage (but I’m determined to experience it). On the upside, I feel like I’ve achieved something getting my luggage from house to subway to bus to airport.

They check me in and I’m airside. I feel relived. I’m out of NYC. But as I watch my phone it all starts to change - fast. The Met closing, then Broadway, the Trudeau’s wife is being tested…

I arrive safely at my next housesit in Toronto and it’s perfect - the very safe haven I was hoping for.

But since I’ve been at the airport the panic has set in here too. The homeowners have been shopping for me in case food runs out in the city, only to find supermarket carparks full and shelves empty.

Let’s see what tomorrow brings….