It’s A Jungle Out There

So for my toddler’s birthday I decided to venture out to Sea World in Orlando. Sea World because she’s never been, and of course Sesame Street Land. My family is a huge fan of Sesame Street and when my toddler soon to be Kindergartener needed soothing at night, Elmo and Friends were always there to calm her down and ABC…123 her to sleep. My almost teenager was also a fan of Sesame Street as a toddler, Elmo was her favorite. Now she’s Oscar the Grouch and I’ve become the Monster (in her eyes) but without the cookie.

 So Sea World it was, and let me tell you, everyone is outside. It is obvious the world is open and restrictions are no longer being enforced. I could count on one hand how many people were wearing a mask, and on the other hand how many times I saw anyone, sanitizing anything. My family included in the count. I was mesmerized by all the sweaty, smiling faces. It’s been over a year since I’ve seen so many sets of teeth, noses, pimply faced teenagers, and smiling strangers. I’d gotten use to reading eyes so this was an unfamiliar, familiar territory for me. And while I loved seeing the faces behind the masks, I couldn’t help but to be nervous. If it’s one thing the past year has taught us, it’s to be cautious.  To stand six feet of everyone. Use your hand sanitizers, and don’t touch the railings. None of that was in place. 

I did not spend much time at the park due to not being ready to immerse myself back into society so quickly. I’ve never been one for crowded events, and COVID 19 has solidified the fact that I’ll never be. But for the world to be opened at such a full force, and everyone participating in life like the world wasn’t at a standstill a year ago with countless people dying is a lot scary to me. Maybe I’m overreacting or maybe it’s PTSD, whatever it is I’ll continue to be cautiously optimistic, and wear my mask for the next fiftyleven years. If you venture outside be safe…it’s a jungle out there.