roflmao
The term hippies has been a groovy joke since the seventies. Likely, none of those people would call themselves a hippie. They signed up for a short-term camping trip with a few lectures, not an extended lifestyle change. But hey, stoner jokes are funny and are as easy as fat jokes.
I hope the Americans can be stuck until December - just to be safe.
The reality here in Panama (I live in the mountains of Boquete where it is spring-like year round) is that the #Cuomovirus arrived here after the U.S. so the curve is still on the incline with over 5,000 cases nationwide but only 70 in our distant province.
The police here mean business. However, if you are polite with them they are mostly laid-back, even to foreigners. ID checks are a normal part of life even during good times.
The international airport has been closed for almost a month. The American Embassy allowed a few military flights out after the quarantine began but it is no pleasure trip. You have to pay in advance and you are dropped off at Fort Walton Beach, FL or San Angelo, TX. Once you arrive and go through customs, you’re on your own.
Currently, men are limited to four hours of freedom per week. Women are allowed six hours. Otherwise, you are to shelter in place. Pretty much all business is closed other than groceries, pharmacies and gas stations.
Still, I feel safer here than I would have back in the States. We’ve had no real shortages of supplies but if you need a haircut or a hammer, you’re SOL.
I was afraid the hippies might be stuck up here. We get plenty of them in February for the Festival of Flowers, Carnival and the Jazz Festival.