Oh my! This brings me back to the early days, when everything was a bizarre, surreal unknown. Your situation reminds me of the book I Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult. Your situation was entirely different, of course, but the character in that book was on an escapist, lush island that felt worlds away from reality, in a way.
The dichotomy of reality and your surroundings must’ve been unimaginable, almost like stepping into another dimension.
I can’t imagine your fear of wondering what was going to happen next or if you could survive another significant financial loss like that.
Thanks Joy, it was crazy for sure. But we (the world!) was in a crazy place. I haven't read that book but I will now, and yes the dichotomy was weird- I was appreciate for where I was while I was hearing from family how crazy it also was in other places.
Did you ever watch the documentary called The Longest First Date? It's about a young couple that traveled together but barely knew each other. The pandemic hit and they were forced to lock down in a foreign Airbnb together. It was a fascinating documentary!
Yes I have on Netflix-and we had heard about this couple during lockdown - we were in CR then. They were in the newspaper back then because they couldn't get home. (I forgot how long they stayed but in reality, we eventually had 'rescue' flights out of CR once a week set up by United and the US Government.-more to come on that also! I took one back eventually).
Yes, they did. I think they're married now. My dad always said, 'you don't know someone until you live with them.' Thrown together and it worked out for them! ha
What a crazy time that was for the world, and I can't imagine what you two were thinking and planning on what to do next.. My husband and I were to be married on June 20, 2020. Our caterer would not return our deposit for the wonderful dinner we were going to have catered for our small guest list of around 50. We were going to be married by our priest, but he died about a month before, and the place we were to be married closed down and would not reopen until sometime in July. We made so many plans and had to cancel -- we were up to Plan K by that time. We just felt, screw it, we called a local priest and he agreed to marry us on March 26th, a Thursday. What a nightmare everything was, but so many funny memories. We are celebrating 5 years on Wednesday.
Yes, Nancy, there were sooo many 'punted' moments those early weeks of covid pandemic. We had guests wanting deposits back also, especially honeymooners who had also lost their deposits for upcoming weddings. It was a hard time. As our border closures continued (another post upcoming!), we gave those who cancelled time to return to us. It' ended up being a 2 year extension and most guests did return. Happy 5 year anniversary!
Wow! We all have unique COVID stories and this sure is one of them. That's great you and Mark made the most of the situation. I worked at a restaurant in March 2020 so can totally relate to seeing the guests go from busy to zero then full closure. Being in paradise during the pandemic sounded like the dream scenario. Thanks for the interesting read, Marlo!
Exactly-we all have unique Covid stories. Hospitality was so affected - zero to full closure as you say. We ended up being fully closed to guests for over 8 months (story to come!). It was hard financially, and hard for our employees to be off that long. (again, more to come!) Thanks for reading Daniel
Ooooh man, the memories of covid. The hospitality industry was soooo doomed. I managed a restaurant when it hit and even before shutdown, people had stopped showing up. Every day I cut all the staff and worked alone with only the kitchen guys. Our lockdown announcement came on Sunday evening, March 15th. Myself, the bar manager and the kitchen guys stayed extra late to tear down the restaurant properly and figure out what to do with perishables. Upside: I took home enough chocolate mousse to carry me through weeks of snacking 😆
I actually didn't mind lockdown (at first) except that my son lived in a different city and I wasn't allowed to fly. Sadly, I never got to see him again.. ever. So yeah...the pandemic was a blessing at first but the worst curse at the end.
Watching news reports of people who had to watch their loved ones die through a window, it made me feel less alone that's for sure.
8 months closed...ugh. I can't imagine the losses and financial panic. We reopened and closed 3 times before HR gave management the option of voluntary termination. I took it because I wasn't ready to work at all.
Oh my! This brings me back to the early days, when everything was a bizarre, surreal unknown. Your situation reminds me of the book I Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult. Your situation was entirely different, of course, but the character in that book was on an escapist, lush island that felt worlds away from reality, in a way.
The dichotomy of reality and your surroundings must’ve been unimaginable, almost like stepping into another dimension.
I can’t imagine your fear of wondering what was going to happen next or if you could survive another significant financial loss like that.
What a perfect quote for that time.
Thanks Joy, it was crazy for sure. But we (the world!) was in a crazy place. I haven't read that book but I will now, and yes the dichotomy was weird- I was appreciate for where I was while I was hearing from family how crazy it also was in other places.
Did you ever watch the documentary called The Longest First Date? It's about a young couple that traveled together but barely knew each other. The pandemic hit and they were forced to lock down in a foreign Airbnb together. It was a fascinating documentary!
Yes I have on Netflix-and we had heard about this couple during lockdown - we were in CR then. They were in the newspaper back then because they couldn't get home. (I forgot how long they stayed but in reality, we eventually had 'rescue' flights out of CR once a week set up by United and the US Government.-more to come on that also! I took one back eventually).
I loved their story! And that they ended up staying together!
Yes, they did. I think they're married now. My dad always said, 'you don't know someone until you live with them.' Thrown together and it worked out for them! ha
What a crazy time that was for the world, and I can't imagine what you two were thinking and planning on what to do next.. My husband and I were to be married on June 20, 2020. Our caterer would not return our deposit for the wonderful dinner we were going to have catered for our small guest list of around 50. We were going to be married by our priest, but he died about a month before, and the place we were to be married closed down and would not reopen until sometime in July. We made so many plans and had to cancel -- we were up to Plan K by that time. We just felt, screw it, we called a local priest and he agreed to marry us on March 26th, a Thursday. What a nightmare everything was, but so many funny memories. We are celebrating 5 years on Wednesday.
Yes, Nancy, there were sooo many 'punted' moments those early weeks of covid pandemic. We had guests wanting deposits back also, especially honeymooners who had also lost their deposits for upcoming weddings. It was a hard time. As our border closures continued (another post upcoming!), we gave those who cancelled time to return to us. It' ended up being a 2 year extension and most guests did return. Happy 5 year anniversary!
This sounds horribly magical, Nancy. You took something ugly and awful and made it beautiful. Happy Anniversary!
What a letdown that must have been!! I'm so glad you've since married and have anniversary memories you'll never forget!
Oh god, Marlo! I forgot (how could I?) about Covid! Good grief.
Haha yep- good grief was right!! 🤦🏻♀️
OMG- you guys, that sounds terrible. I can't believe how much you went through with that hotel!
so much! and there's more.....
I always love your stories!!! So much suspense and f**kery. I have no idea how you stuck it out so long 😆
sometimes I don't either! 😂 Thanks!
Wow! We all have unique COVID stories and this sure is one of them. That's great you and Mark made the most of the situation. I worked at a restaurant in March 2020 so can totally relate to seeing the guests go from busy to zero then full closure. Being in paradise during the pandemic sounded like the dream scenario. Thanks for the interesting read, Marlo!
Exactly-we all have unique Covid stories. Hospitality was so affected - zero to full closure as you say. We ended up being fully closed to guests for over 8 months (story to come!). It was hard financially, and hard for our employees to be off that long. (again, more to come!) Thanks for reading Daniel
Ooooh man, the memories of covid. The hospitality industry was soooo doomed. I managed a restaurant when it hit and even before shutdown, people had stopped showing up. Every day I cut all the staff and worked alone with only the kitchen guys. Our lockdown announcement came on Sunday evening, March 15th. Myself, the bar manager and the kitchen guys stayed extra late to tear down the restaurant properly and figure out what to do with perishables. Upside: I took home enough chocolate mousse to carry me through weeks of snacking 😆
I actually didn't mind lockdown (at first) except that my son lived in a different city and I wasn't allowed to fly. Sadly, I never got to see him again.. ever. So yeah...the pandemic was a blessing at first but the worst curse at the end.
What a trip down memory lane. 😐
Hospitality industry was F**ed for sure! We were closed for 8 months (more on that to come!) Financial wipeout.
I'm so sorry for your loss and how much the pandemic took away from people. 😞
Watching news reports of people who had to watch their loved ones die through a window, it made me feel less alone that's for sure.
8 months closed...ugh. I can't imagine the losses and financial panic. We reopened and closed 3 times before HR gave management the option of voluntary termination. I took it because I wasn't ready to work at all.
So surreal, both at the time and now even more surreal to look back on!