I went to bed last night with the song Should I Stay or Should I Go playing in my head and woke up this morning with it still running around.

Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go, there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know

This indecision's bugging me (esta indecisión me molesta)
If you don't want me, set me free (si no me quieres, librarme)
Exactly whom I'm supposed to be (dígame que tengo ser)
Don't you know which clothes even fit me? (sabes que ropa me quedra)
Come on and let me know (me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow? (me debo ir o quedarme)

Should I stay or should I go now? (yo me enfrió o lo soplo)
Should I stay or should I go now? (yo me enfrió o lo soplo)
If I go there will be trouble (si me voy va a haber peligro)
And if I stay it will be double (si me quedo sera el doble)
So ya gotta let me know (me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow? (me debo ir o quedarme)

Should I stay or should I go now? (tengo frío por los ojos)
If I go there will be trouble (si me voy va haber peligro)
And if I stay it will be double (si me quedo sera el doble)
So ya gotta let me know me tienes que decir
Should I stay or should I go?

Songwriters: Joe Strummer / Mick Jones- The Clash

Fitting that it has Spanish in the song, no?

9PM last night, my mom texted me, “State department warning…if your traveling or are currently abroad and do not return now, you may need to stay abroad indefinitely.” Shortly after, we got a notification that the Department of State had issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory- Do Not Travel. It says:

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.  In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.  U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel.  Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice.  Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips.  If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.

Jim and I re-visited the conversation we’ve had a few times since this outbreak started. We’ve been watching this develop since the start back in January when we heard the virus appeared to have a high mortality rate and was easily spread. As full-time nomads visiting countries that don’t always have the most sophisticated health care systems, we tend to stay attuned to things like that! Our first thought was, where in the world would we most want to be stuck for a long period of time? The reality of already closed borders virtually everywhere really limited our choices, unfortunately.

We're pretty sure that our travel to Turkey will be canceled next month. I’m supposed to be back in Denver to do a bit of work at the end of May. Our hope is that travel restrictions will be lifted by then and commercial airlines will be back in the sky. If not, we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

Many factors went into our decision:

1) The US seems to be about a week behind where Spain is in the outbreak. So travel to the US would potentially put us in quarantine longer. And the US seems to be really slow to respond.

2) Watching how people in the US are behaving has us thinking it is not where we want to be stuck for an indefinite period of time. Fighting over toilet paper? Stocking up on ammunition? Ignoring advice on social distancing? Meanwhile, here in Spain, multiple times a day, the entire nation opens its windows or steps out on their balconies to clap and show appreciation to the healthcare workers. This feels emotionally like a much better place to be right now.

3) We don’t have a home to go back to. Wherever we are, at that moment, that’s home. If we did go back to the US, our inclination would be to head “home” to Colorado. Colorado just got a typical spring snow storm and we don't want to be in Colorado this time of year. Plus, housing in Colorado (and the states) is far more expensive than where we are now and virtually anywhere would require us to rent a car, as well.

4) The main reason for heading back to the states would be to be near family, if needed. I believe travel within the US is going to be shut down soon. So being in Colorado would be no different than being in Spain if something happens to our family. Coming from Spain and being subject to a fourteen day quarantine means it wouldn’t be practical for us to be near family anyway. Even if we are back in the states, we would be practicing social distancing, so I’d still be video chat baking through WhatsApp with Lisa, or video chatting with my mom through Facebook messenger. (Feel free to video chat me through WhatsApp, Duo, or Facebook messenger if you are missing us. I can show you views from our rooftop deck! Regular old phone calls work, too…)

So Should I Stay or Should I Go?

We stay. Indefinitely. With the idea that we will try to get to Colorado mid-May to allow time to quarantine, if required, before Carrie is supposed to sit in small rooms full of people auditing their stormwater programs. Of course, my clients may all be wfh and there will be no work to do anyway. If that happens we can always hike!

Stay safe, social distance, wash yo’ hands, and stay sane with some semblance of a schedule.

A few ideas on things to do:

• Learn a language at our friends’ website, www.lingohut.com

• Take the #100atHomeChallenge

• Binge-watch Arrested Development, Futurama, Frasier, or Gilmore Girls to bring a smile to your face!