Happy New Year to my fellow Hosts!
Who would have know at this time last year what 2020 would bring? The hosting year started off well, having six bookings until the California Governor shut down hosting in March. We went three months without know when we could re-open.
Once re-opened, my housecleaner and I had already studied all the new cleaning techniques and committed to clean, even including a UV light hand-wand and UV air purifier to keep our guests, and ourselves, safe. It all worked. Everyone was safe and no signs of COVID.
In June, I surprised my daughter with a visit to her home in Kentucky. Much to our bigger surprise, she woke up the morning after my arrival saying, "I can't taste anything!" so I spent a week in her home socially distancing, washing hands constantly and avoiding her air space. It worked! She tested posted for the immunity a couple months later. I donated blood twice after that and I tested negative for the immunity.
I had wonderful visits from several guests who sought refuse from the illness and a quiet getaway from the big city. One guest turned out to be a friend of my other daughter, we didn't realize it at the time, and she gave me my only 4-star review in 2020, by accident. We all had a big laugh over it!
One guest in particular had the same love of animals as I. As we chatted on my deck, I saw movement on the ground near her feet, it was a bat! The poor thing was alive but not doing well. We caught it, nursed the little thing back to life with water and tender care. I placed it in the tree and the next day it was gone. We were very happy with our rescue efforts.
A friend moved into my Airbnb space in September because she was looking to buy a home after her last lease ended. It's been perfect for me since December brought a new COVID stay-at-home order in California.
This year was unusual, weather wise too. Last year we'd had two large snow storms; one on Thanksgiving and the next on Christmas. This year, one small dusting and a moderate storm (finally) a few days ago. I looked out one evening to discover a full moon shining over our little valley and snapped a picture from my phone. I was in awe of nature and her beauty and it gave me hope that 2021 would be a better year.
It was announced December 28th, we're remaining under a stay-at-home order because we have NO ICU beds in California. I fear we are getting worse here, not better. I know the only thing we can do is follow the order and do our best. I have so much hope that 2021 will be better; but not for a while.
I hope all of my fellow Airbnb Hosts remain well, stay vigilant and look forward to a New Year when we can re-open and get back to meeting new people and helping them enjoy a much needed vacation.
Be well everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Jennifer E in Pine Mountain Club, CA