An Ideal Life in a Covid-19 World

I have been quite hesitant to write this article. I don’t want to appear callous towards the millions of people who are suffering during this crazy moment in history, either with illness or financial problems caused by this terrible virus pandemic.

But recently I’ve heard several other people in various parts of the world declare the same perspective as I’m having during this unprecedented new Covid world. And this has nudged me to finally announce my own perspective on life during the Covid19 pandemic, from here in Antalya, Turkey.

Here it is:

The truth is that I am actually loving this much quieter, less crowded, less manic life that has resulted from the pandemic.

Is anyone else out there having a similar experience?

Now before I continue, I feel I should make some major disclaimers here!

Disclaimers

Of course I am not happy that there’s a massive global virus pandemic that is killing hundreds of thousands of people, and making millions sick, and many millions more people to lose family, friends or relatives. Of course that is atrocious.

It’s equally horrific that 10s of millions of people have lost their jobs, have no income, perhaps don’t even have enough money for food, or may have even lost their houses in the deal. And that there are food shortages and supply shortages.

I am absolutely not ok with any of that. And if I could turn things back to our original normal world, where no Covid-19 ever existed, then I would do so in a flash.

An ideal quiet world

Since I cannot…in the meantime I am absolutely loving the quiet days, the lack of crowds & noise, all replaced by the sounds of the natural world. I can even say that it’s a kind of paradise to me.

And that is most likely due to the fact that I am extremely sensitive to noise pollution in the modern world. Nearly all my pet-peeves are human-made noises. Traffic. Construction, especially with power tools. Children yelling, babies crying. Loud, boisterous adults gossiping, arguing, drinking. Loud music (it’s always the music I particularly loathe, of course).

Ever since the corona virus lock-downs, all of this noise pollution has vanished. Poof! Instead, every day from my hotel room in the center of a huge city, I hear…pigeons cooing outside my window, leaves rustling in the wind, silence.

It’s absolutely perfect! 

When I go out to buy supplies or to exercise, there are very few people and even fewer cars. I can walk through Antalya’s huge, gorgeous parks, almost completely empty, while enjoying scenic cliff views, shady trees, blooming flowers, lounging cats and beautiful landscaping. All completely on my own, with no pesky people disturbing the peace.

I can cycle out into nearby mountains, with nearly-empty roads, and find any number of fantastic spots to admire the scenery, listen to the sounds of nature, have a picnic lunch, take a nap in the shade.

In short, this quiet, empty tranquil world is quite blissful.

However, I recognize that there are several other very important factors that play into this ideal life I’ve been experiencing during Covid lock-down. Some of these factors have to do with my location in the world during this pandemic, namely being in Turkey, first off, and secondly being in Antalya, more specifically.

Other equally important factors are personal, having to do with my interests, habits and character; my ongoing work & income; my health and the health of all my friends, family and acquaintances.

All of these factors have allowed me to live a rather stress-free live throughout the Covid pandemic, while enjoying the quiet, uncrowded world around me.

my portable internet cafe with usb modem

Lack of any stresses

No financial stresses (yet) I have work & income

Quite luckily, before this pandemic hit, I was given a very large assignment in Turkey for reviewing luxury hotels and updating various guides. That work is still keeping me going and I still have to finish one last batch of hotel reviews.

All this work will give me income on through July…and then we’ll see.

Meahnwhile, I should be entitled to my US stimulus check, which will last me another two months.

As a result, I do not have any financial stress. I recognize that I am extremely lucky, especially considering that I work in the travel industry. I know that tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands, of travel industry workers are out of jobs and income.

If I were in the same boat as them, I might be freaking out sometime soon.

No health problems (knock on wood!)

Thus far, as far as I know, I have not contracted corona virus. Nor have any of my family, relatives or friends. As far as anyone knows.

This is also a source of calm and relief. Obviously if I were sick or my mom or dad were sick, my life would not be so ideal. At all.

I’m also not dealing with any food or supply shortages, but I’ll get into that later.

If any one of these important considerations were different, my situation would not be ideal at all.

Benefits of being in Turkey

Turkey has used a ‘loose lock-down’ system

It took me a while to recognize it, but being in a country with a loose lockdown has made this Covid-19 life super easy.

Here in Turkey, people are supposed to stay at home except to go out for groceries and essentials. We’re also allowed to go out to exercise and walk pets. Except for people over 65 and under 20, who are all on full lockdown.

I wrote a very detailed article about Turkey’s approach to the pandemic and what life is like here in this article.

It’s because of loose lockdown that I’ve been able to take long daily walks in Antalya’s beautiful parks, to cycle out into the mountains, to go visit my favorite park cats, to wander around Antalya’s charming (and empty) historic district, and to greatly enjoy nature in the unfolding of spring and summer.

When I stop to think about people living in countries with full lockdowns, I realize how much harder that must be. If I could not go out to walk and cycle, I also might be going a bit nuts by now.

Turkey is extremely affordable

Thank goodness that I inadvertently ended up ‘stranded’ in an extremely cheap country! Turkey is as cheap as the countries of SE Asia, if not cheaper.

I’ve been in the country nearly four months, both before and during the Covid pandemic. My monthly expenses have ranged from $450-535 US, the lower costs mostly a result of not traveling around the country.

Being in an affordable country is a huge financial relief at this time. I can only imagine how panicked I’d be if I were in some expensive European country like Austria, England or Germany. I would be in huge trouble.

But here in Turkey, my expenditures are well within my budget. Whew.

If you’re interested in details, check out Costs of Budget Travel in Turkey

Improving $US-Turkish lira exchange rate

Another reason turkey is so affordable right now, and in fact, getting cheaper for me, is that the Turkish lira has been slowly declining in value against the $US since my arrival.

In early February, $1 US = 6 lira. Now $1 US = 7 lira. That might not sound like a huge difference, but it actually changes my costs considerably.

For a quick example, my hotel room is 45 lira. At $1 US = 6 lira, my room would cost $7.50 US per day. At $1 US = 7 lira, it costs me $6.50 per day. In one month, that saves me $30 US. Applying this changing money value to food and other expenses, it makes a huge difference in my total monthly expenses.

The Turkish government is not penalizing travelers who overstay their visas

I arrived in Turkey with a 90-day e-visa. I intended to stay the entire 90 days exploring various parts of the vast country. The Covid lockdown, with flights cancelled and borders closed, means that I’ve had to overstay my visa.

Quite luckily for me, the Turkish government has decided to not penalize travelers who overstay their visas due to the Corona virus. We simply have to depart when our next destination country opens its borders. Whew.

Benefits of being in Antalya

Very few Covid cases are here

Anyone who’s been watching the unfolding Covid-19 pandemic on a global scale probably knows that Turkey is among the top 10 worst-hit countries for corona virus. Globally, it’s been holding a steady position at #8 or 9 since mid March. I wrote all about Turkey’s situation and response in this article.

I know this sounds really bad.

However, luckily for me, 60% or more of all cases are in Istanbul. Another 10-20% of cases are in a couple major cities, including Ankara and Izmir.

As it turns out, Antalya and other coastal provinces have had relatively few cases.

I feel relatively safe here in the scope of both Turkey and the world. By following safe procedures like staying in my room a lot, keeping a distance from people, visiting stores when they’re empty, and spending my outdoor time out in nature away from people, I feel pretty safe. Thus I’m not overly stressed about contracting the virus.

If I were stuck in Istanbul, I’m sure I would feel considerably more nervous and stressed about going outside. So I consider myself extremely lucky to get stuck in a place with low virus cases.

Antalya has gorgeous parks, coastal scenery, mountains

Without any doubt, a major reason my life has been so ideal during this Covid crisis is the fact that I’m in Antalya. This city is beautiful, particularly because of its gorgeous parks, stunning coastal views, cool historic district and beautiful mountains.

Actually, to be more accurate, most of Antalya city is an extremely ugly modern urban sprawl. The only attractive sections are along the city’s long clifftops and its historic old town that backs the cute 2000-year-old cliff-lined harbor. And this is where I’ve been living. I wrote more about Antalya in this article.

In just five minutes’ walk from my hotel I can be in one leafy park or another, standing on the clifftops admiring coastal views and mountains or strolling past centuries’ old Ottoman houses.

If I had been stuck in one of Turkey’s super ugly modern towns or cities, I would not be enjoying my life nearly as much. Konya comes to mind. That was the last city I visited before Antalya. In fact, I inadvertently caught a bus from Konya to Antalya just one week before the whole country’s overland transportation was halted. Whew. Talk about squeezing in at the last minute. If I’d been stuck I Konya, I would not be a happy camper.

It’s Antalya’s beautiful coastal regions that have allowed me to enjoy long walks, nature, exercise, historic architecture and stunning scenery.

The parks are full of friendly cats

As if the gorgeous parks weren’t enough in themselves, they are filled with dozens of stray cats. Healthy stray cats.

Antalya’s residents feed them daily and even during Covid-19 lock-downs, people are allowed out specifically to feed the park cats & dogs! This rule is actually written in the official lock-down rules!

As a major cat fanatic, my life is enhanced even more by being able to visit, pet and feed so many wonderful, friendly cats. I have my favorites in various parks, whom I visit on a regular basis. There are other new cats I meet nearly every time I go out.

Ideal spring weather

This part of Turkey is absolutely gorgeous in spring. Temperatures are ideal most days. There are plenty of bright, blue-sky days, as well as some lovely cloudy days and occasional rain.

A whole series of different trees and flowers have bloomed over the two months I’ve been in Antalya, so it’s an ever-changing show of vibrant colors.

In contrast, I would not want to be here in July or August, when temperatures supposedly regularly stay at 40-45 C / 105-112F ! Ouch!

So I’ve been extremely fortunate to experience Antalya during its very best weather.

Antalya has abundant food supplies and uncrowded stores

Throughout the Covid pandemic, Antalya’s shops and supermarkets have always remained very well-stocked with produce, meats, dairy products and all other food supplies. There’s also been an abundance of cleaning & disinfecting products.

In contrast, I’ve seen news clips of certain food & cleaning product shortages in Istanbul and people waiting in long lines to access stores. And I know these shortages have happened in other countries as well.

So I count myself lucky to never have to worry about running out of food or products.

Antalya has gourmet supermarkets

Antalya is a big enough city to host a few large supermarkets that stock gourmet imports and certain foods that aren’t found in regular Turkish supermarket chains. And this has been extremely fortunate for me.

It’s the only way can have dark roast espresso coffee and certain other items such as quality muesli, pre-cooked tortelloni pasta, gourmet lettuce mix packs and fresh salmon. As a result, I’ve been eating exceptionally well and enjoying my daily caffeine kick, even though all cafes are closed.

Excellent hotel room and location

OMG – I was so utterly lucky to find this lovely, inexpensive little hotel!

It’s located just one block from a pretty park set along a shady river, two blocks from the cliffs, four blocks from the historic district and a 10-minute walk to Antalya’s most beautiful clifftop parks.

My hotel is unbelievably inexpensive. I pay just 45 lira / $6.50 US per night for my own spacious private room Math en suite bathroom and a window that lets in plenty of sunshine. It’s perfect. I can even suntan on the roof in my bikini!

I can exercise daily and get into nature easily

As already noted, because of the ‘loose lockdown’ system and Antalya’s gorgeous parks & mountains, I’ve been able to get plenty of daily exercise while immersed in nature.

Personal Factors

One of the main reasons I’m enjoying this quiet, tranquil, low-crowd world has to do with my character, interests and current personal status.

I’m an introvert

I do greatly enjoy socializing, but only in short sessions. Socializing and interacting with people tires me out. To feel grounded and calm, I need solo time on a daily basis.

This means that I’m perfectly fine and happy on my own. I can spend many hours a day alone, many days or even weeks, without much human interaction. The brief chats and greetings I have with store clerks and neighbors, along with messaging & calling friends & family is enough social interaction for me for an extended period of time.

Therefore, I’m not lonely during this locked-down world.

I can imagine this must be considerably harder, maybe even unbearable, for extroverts and big party-type people.

I prefer quiet and peace

I’ve already explained how much I’m enjoying this quiet & tranquil world. It’s noise that makes me feel aggro. This nearly-silent world is blissful to me.

I love nature & the great outdoors

I can do without bars, cafes, clubs, restaurants…many ways that lot of people prefer spending their time at.

The way I prefer spending the hours and days of my life is being immersed in nature. As long as I can do that on a regular basis, I am a happy camper.

Quite luckily for me, with Turkey’s ‘loose lock-down’ system I can quickly get to nature here in Antalya.

I’m an optimist

I generally expect good things to happen and for everything to work out well. So I’m usually able to stay optimistic and hopeful even during difficult times. I’m sure this is extremely helpful to my mental, psychological and emotional health.

This Covid-19 pandemic is the kind of disaster that could easily throw pessimistic leaning people into great despair, depression or panic. Luckily, I don’t have that tendency.

I always occupy my time

For as long as I can remember, I have always been able to find something to do, no matter where I am or what situation I find myself in. I never get bored. Anywhere.

I just can’t understand people getting bored. There is soooo much to do in the world. In a day. I can’t get a grip on feeling bored.

I’m at the perfect age to handle this situation

I’m quite sure that this lock-down and the closures of bars, cafes, festivals and events and other public spaces is driving teenagers and people in their 20s & 30s rather bonkers. I get that.

If I were in my 20s or 30s right now, my big issue would be Math getting enough exercise. I had such a tremendous amount of physical energy that I needed to spend several hours per day, most days, doing some sort of rigorous exercise or tasks that required a lot of energy & endurance.

My physical exercise requirements have definitely diminished somewhat from those days. This makes it much easier for me to stay inside when needed, to sit for several hours per day, rather than cycle or dance or hike mountains for hours on end.

picnic-ing in the forest during a cycling trip near Antalya

I can continue my usual lifestyle

Truth be told, and somewhat amazingly, I’m pretty much living my daily life exactly the same way I did before Covid ever came around! (except for not changing locations).

Seriously, the only thing different in my life is that I haven’t been able to travel to new destinations. I’ve been ‘stuck’ here in this little hotel in Antalya, Turkey for two months.

That actually isn’t all that unusual for me either. During my ongoing world travels, I usually end up staying in one place for 1-3 months at some point during a year.

Last year I stayed in Varna, Bulgaria for six weeks because I needed a break from work & travel. Some years I visit my mom and step-dad for 2-3 months over Christmas. So this Antalya stay is like one of those annual long travel stops.

Summary

Clearly in this Covid-19 world there are millions of people all over the world who are not fairing nearly as well. My heart goes out to all of them. I hope things improve as quickly as humanly possible for everyone.

At the other extreme, I feel pretty certain that I’m not the only person who has found herself/himself in a suddenly much more enjoyable world, if only temporarily. A much calmer, quieter, relaxing & uncrowded world.

Who else is experiencing some sort of ideal life during this awful global pandemic?

I’d love to hear your stories!

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