Suggestions for surviving a two week self isolation stay in a Five Star Hotel

Capt. Autumn

An opportunity came up in work recently for installation of vital equipment in South East Asia. When I volunteered for the job it sounded great, interesting, challenging work, an opportunity to see a different part of the world for a short time and best of all, a break from the old routine.

And then Covid happened.

The work is vital and is still going ahead, but obviously there are major precautions to be taken to reduce the risk of the spread of this pesky virus. One of the main conditions, and the one that I will find most challenging, is that on arrival in the foreign city, I will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

The country I'm heading to is very strict and I'm told security will be assigned to my floor to ensure that I stay put. I will be unable to leave my room in my five star hotel for two weeks. Basically locked in a gilded cage. It's only hitting me now how difficult this experience is going to be.

So, I'd like to put it out there. What would the good patrons of After Hours do to pass the time, perhaps productively, but, most importantly, in a way that will not affect my mental health. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

un5byh7sqpd2x0

Porn. It’s the only way.

corner of hells

Capt. Autumn wrote: »

An opportunity came up in work recently for installation of vital equipment in South East Asia. When I volunteered for the job it sounded great, interesting, challenging work, an opportunity to see a different part of the world for a short time and best of all, a break from the old routine.

And then Covid happened.

The work is vital and is still going ahead, but obviously there are major precautions to be taken to reduce the risk of the spread of this pesky virus. One of the main conditions, and the one that I will find most challenging, is that on arrival in the foreign city, I will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

The country I'm heading to is very strict and I'm told security will be assigned to my floor to ensure that I stay put. I will be unable to leave my room in my five star hotel for two weeks. Basically locked in a gilded cage. It's only hitting me now how difficult this experience is going to be.

So, I'd like to put it out there. What would the good patrons of After Hours do to pass the time, perhaps productively, but, most importantly, in a way that will not affect my mental health. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

You didn't mention food , I'd clarify that first.

MarkR

Bring a gaming console with you. Something portable maybe, like the switch. Some books. Movies. Don't you know how to spend free time? You just have more of it.

Sconsey

Download a pile fo stuff before you leave. Bring your own HDMI cable to connect PC to the room TV.

Probably should bring a lot of non-perishable food that you like, a lot actually in case you are not too happy with the hotel food, it's not like you can find a nice restaurant.

I would not be doing it myself but best of luck.

Gooey Looey

Since you posted on after hours. You'll have the puddin' pulled off yoursel' when the 2 weeks is up

Sign up to the Great Courses Plus two week free trial. If it's good enough for Bill Gates, it's good enough for anyone.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Do you work out? Exercise bands are a nice and compact solution that doesn't involve bringing half a gym with you.

Capt. Autumn

corner of hells wrote: »

You didn't mention food , I'd clarify that first.

I'll be well looked after in that department, room service around the clock. That's one of my concerns. I'm a real foodie and when I'm bored I tend to overeat. I'm afraid I'll be rolled back onto the plane to Dublin like Violet Beauregard when she got to the Blueberry pie desert on then dinner tablet.

Sky King

Pull yourself asunder thrice per hour.

You won't be able to make eye contact with anyone for a few days afterwards but I wouldn't worry about that.

Capt. Autumn

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Do you work out? Exercise bands are a nice and compact solution that doesn't involve bringing half a gym with you.

Great call. Could use You Tube classes with them also.

cruizer101

Take up a hobby that can be done in the room e.g. origami, cross stitch, a model kit like airfix or that make sure to bring all the tools you might need.

Make sure you get a room with a good view can't be good for your eyes to spend 2 weeks focusing on stuff no further than 20 feet.

Exercise equipment, as you can't even go for a walk you will want to exercise somewhat in room, you can do a lot without equipment but skipping rope is small and could be used to mix it up a bit.

Nintendo Switch is a good call.

Capt. Autumn

cruizer101 wrote: »

Take up a hobby that can be done in the room e.g. origami, cross stitch, a model kit like airfix or that make sure to bring all the tools you might need.

Make sure you get a room with a good view can't be good for your eyes to spend 2 weeks focusing on stuff no further than 20 feet.

Exercise equipment, as you can't even go for a walk you will want to exercise somewhat in room, you can do a lot without equipment but skipping rope is small and could be used to mix it up a bit.

Nintendo Switch is a good call.

Great calls, all. Cheers, man.

Andrewf20

Try and write a story each day that 12 sentences long. Write a poem every 2nd day that's 6 lines long.

Other than that its BBC world news for 12 hrs a day. Brilliant.

Lillyfae

E reader loaded up with new books

Capt. Autumn

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Try and write a story each day that 12 sentences long. Write a poem every 2nd day that's 6 lines long.

Other than that its BBC world news for 12 hrs a day. Brilliant.

Thanks Andrew, I probably won't use any of that you feckin weirdo but appreciated anyway:):)

ongarite

Ask for plenty of towels and bed-sheets.
A friend did the same for 2 weeks in Middle East.
No-one enters the room for 2 weeks, food only dropped to door so no room-service & cleaning.
Unless you like sleeping in dirty sheets..

They found it very tough mentally & the food for 5 star hotel was terrible!
The hotel was closed as such so the kitchens were not open.
Very basic food was brought in from COVID secure facility 3 times a day.

corner of hells

Capt. Autumn wrote: »

I'll be well looked after in that department, room service around the clock. That's one of my concerns. I'm a real foodie and when I'm bored I tend to overeat. I'm afraid I'll be rolled back onto the plane to Dublin like Violet Beauregard when she got to the Blueberry pie desert on then dinner tablet.

I see no problem.

Tell me how

Buy a kindle and fill it with a load of highly recommended books.
Download top albums to an mp3 player.
Bring an exercise mat, resistance bands and a core focused training plan.
Confirm food delivery plan for the 2 weeks and select healthy option
Confirm that you will be provided with enough safe drinking water per day (would suggest 2-4L)
Here's the hard part.
Stay off the internet for the 2 weeks.

Dr. Steve Brule

Scrabble.

titan18

Kristopher Millions Lyrics wrote: »

Porn. It’s the only way.

Assuming youve got internet. Above poster has it right.

Also if there longer than 2 weeks so will be allowed out at some point, and you're single, get on tinder and set up loads of dates

Capt. Autumn

Capt. Autumn wrote: »

An opportunity came up in work recently for installation of vital equipment in South East Asia. When I volunteered for the job it sounded great, interesting, challenging work, an opportunity to see a different part of the world for a short time and best of all, a break from the old routine.

And then Covid happened.

The work is vital and is still going ahead, but obviously there are major precautions to be taken to reduce the risk of the spread of this pesky virus. One of the main conditions, and the one that I will find most challenging, is that on arrival in the foreign city, I will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

The country I'm heading to is very strict and I'm told security will be assigned to my floor to ensure that I stay put. I will be unable to leave my room in my five star hotel for two weeks. Basically locked in a gilded cage. It's only hitting me now how difficult this experience is going to be.

So, I'd like to put it out there. What would the good patrons of After Hours do to pass the time, perhaps productively, but, most importantly, in a way that will not affect my mental health. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

I would have no difficulty with this conundrum.

Hard drive full of movies, kindle full of books, my PSP or for you some other games console, continue to work from home, just a hotel somewhere in Asia.

Sounds great to be honest.

Edit: Get a big Lego set to build.

Starting to sound like bliss.

Degag

titan18 wrote: »

Also if there longer than 2 weeks so will be allowed out at some point, and you're single, get on tinder and set up loads of dates

Great advice in the current climate!

Degag

Tell me how wrote: »

Here's the hard part.
Stay off the internet for the 2 weeks.

Why?

Aidan Harney

Learn a musical instrument.
Tin whistle is small for travel but very harsh and shrill when learning. Flute much easier on the ear but there is a technique to getting the notes well on a flute. A low whistle is the happy medium, get a Tony Dixon low whistle for less than 100 euro.

Or go balls out and buy a fiddle, starter one should not be much above 100 euro.

All have loads of online resources, YouTube videos... When the whole thing blows over you can then sit in on a few sessions for beginners etc...

frozenfrozen

play oldschool runescape on your phone, sure, your life will permanently be ruined with addiction but the two weeks will fly by

bb1234567

Podcasts, listen to some foreign language podcasts in a lnaguage youre slightly familiar with and try to understand it better.

Make one of those fiddly complex model things, the ones that come in a box and you make the eiffel tower or big ben. Look like they'd take ages and probably will be a nice feeling of accomplishment at the end

Greyfox

Definitely a nintendo switch, Zelda breath of the wild will take up about 100 hours but get marios karts and mario 3d allstars for variety

Thoie

Set yourself a routine/schedule.

Can/will you be working from the hotel? That's a solid work schedule right there. If your work is more manual, are there any outstanding reports/expenses/admin stuff you could catch up on?

Factor in a one hour lunch break where you can both eat food and do some exercise. Designate a laundry/cleaning time. Exercise after work, then dinner, then movie, then book (for example).

If you're not working during the time it's even more important to give yourself a routine. You can build naps into that routine, but try to get up and go to bed at the same time every day - ideally in "local" time so that when you hit the office you're ready to go.

As well as the exercise bands, if your knees can take it, throw a skipping rope in as well for some cardio.

Gregor Samsa

I think the most important thing you could bring for 2 weeks solitary confinement in a hotel room is routine.

Get up, get dressed, fill your day with a selection of varying activities (not too much of any one thing), eat at defined meal times, and get to bed on time.

Edit: Jinx!

titan18

Degag wrote: »

Great advice in the current climate!

Tbf, the country he's going to might not be a basket case like here, and if he's been inside locked in for 2 weeks he likely.doesnt have covid.

gmisk

Amazon kindle loaded with books.

Netflix, amazon prime and any other streaming service you have on a tablet.

jam_mac_jam

Greyfox wrote: »

Definitely a nintendo switch, Zelda breath of the wild will take up about 100 hours but get marios karts and mario 3d allstars for variety

You beat me to it. Buy Zelda and the switch. Definitely will help. Such a good game.

Loads of books. Selection of hard and easy reading.

Also would suggest some exercise. There is a good series 30 days of yoga on utube.

Sam Harris has a free first month on his ap for meditation as well. Good time to learn.

Not sure how accurate they are but would you consider getting an antibody test if they are available in this country, if you do have antibodies for the virus there's a possibility you could skip the 2-week quarantine.

smurfjed

Only two weeks, that’s a breeze, I started doing this in March complete with armed guards, who are apparently there for our protection

Get a ROKU, it will allow you to access NETFLIX using the hotel WIFI rather than your data allowance or always using your phone.
Try to get a room with a window that opens.
Get room service to give you plenty of drinking water.
Bring washing powder for your clothes
You might also think about getting a Raspberry PI with a keyboard, as you can turn your TV into a screen
Download a VPN, check which one works best for your destination
Bring a mini speaker.
Bring a bottle of dettol and a spray bottle

Have fun

Feisar

Get one of those exercise DVDs like Insanity, no need for bands or anything.
Kindle
Tinder, have a ball of women lined up
Baldur’s Gate run
Films and of course porn.

Also if not mentioned already I would suggest having a plan in place, an isolation itinerary if you will

Ficheall

How is this even a problem? (Assuming you have Internet..)

Capt. Autumn

Deleted User wrote: »

Not sure how accurate they are but would you consider getting an antibody test if they are available in this country, if you do have antibodies for the virus there's a possibility you could skip the 2-week quarantine.

I will definitely bring this up with my manager. The science is still too fuzzy around possible reinfections though so I'm note sure if this would fly.

Capt. Autumn

Feisar wrote: »

Get one of those exercise DVDs like Insanity, no need for bands or anything.
Kindle
Tinder, have a ball of women lined up
Baldur’s Gate run
Films and of course porn.

Also if not mentioned already I would suggest having a plan in place, an isolation itinerary if you will

Yes, absolutely, a plan is the key. I need self discipline or I could go a bit stir crazy. Great ideas everyone. Thanks so much.

And to think some people believe it's only mindless messers that inhabit the halls of After Hours.....

smurfjed

smurfjed wrote: »

Only two weeks, that’s a breeze, I started doing this in March complete with armed guards, who are apparently there for our protection

Get a ROKU, it will allow you to access NETFLIX using the hotel WIFI rather than your data allowance or always using your phone.
Try to get a room with a window that opens.
Get room service to give you plenty of drinking water.
Bring washing powder for your clothes
You might also think about getting a Raspberry PI with a keyboard, as you can turn your TV into a screen
Download a VPN, check which one works best for your destination
Bring a mini speaker.
Bring a bottle of dettol and a spray bottle

Have fun

I've been doing the following for years:

- Unlocked 4g hotspot from CEX - 32euro.
- When at the arrival airport, buy a pre-pay SIM. Something with 3-5 Gigs
- Amazon fire stick. Preconfigured with your hotspot's SSID. ~45 quid.
- Firestick allows NetFlix, Amazon Prime, also Kodi
- Loads of movies downloaded onto your laptop(legally of course), shared over the hotspot, so you can watch your movies on the big screen TV in the room.

I've used this solution in the following countries:
Morocco
China
Canada
Holland
Germany

Assuming the TV has a HDMI slot, which every modern TV does, you're golden.

colm_c

If you haven't already, get a vpn (Private Internet Access) or similar.

Also don't forget, more isolation awaits you when you get back home. So save some stuff to do for then!

cannotlogin

It could be worse.

Bring multiple chargers and an extension led because most of it will be spend online no matter how much other stuff you try to do to amuse yourself.

Is there an intense online course do or a language you want to learn or something productive like that that might interest you?

some hotels don't let you access the hdmi input as a source on their remotes tho

Nintendo switch with Zelda Breadth of the Wild, Hollow Knight, Super Mario Odyssey will certainly while away a good few hours. Even if you don't care for video games Breadth of the Wild is amazing.

Podcasts are great also- True crime like Casefile, sports, business, documentary etc.

ask for a treadmill to be put into your room? or an exercise bike?

PMBC

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Try and write a story each day that 12 sentences long. Write a poem every 2nd day that's 6 lines long.

Other than that its BBC world news for 12 hrs a day. Brilliant.

Bring a SW transistor radio with you for BBC World Service as BBC News on TV becomes very repetitive - even hearing the sig tune used crack me up. Other puzzles, if you are into those - Sudoku and those on NY Times; cheap sub of 4e per month were available. Take up Yoga and bring a manual with you.
Will you be working in the hotel, I mean outside your room? Best o f luck if you do.

Collie D

Two weeks indoors alone could be a good time to go cold turkey on the cigarettes.

If you don’t smoke - start before you leave and develop an addiction.

JohnnyFlash

Massive bag of cans.

Akrasia

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Sign up to the Great Courses Plus two week free trial. If it's good enough for Bill Gates, it's good enough for anyone.

Did Bill subscribe after his two free weeks ran out?

Strumms

Games console is a great shout. You can while away shîtloads of time gaming. Buy a couple of new games too so it stays interesting.

On your tablet phone, have Spotify. I play FIFA these days with the sound off and music playing on Spotify, nice and relaxing...

Bring something like resistance bands, a weight, so you can do some health based work to kill the time.

On your tablet download some mind friendly apps like crosswords, wordsearch, World Series of poker... you can be in bed and just still keeping active.

glasso

glasso wrote: »

some hotels don't let you access the hdmi input as a source on their remotes tho

Not experienced that myself, but with 2 weeks stuck in a room, I'm sure the OP can get around that.

dxhound2005

Capt. Autumn wrote: »

An opportunity came up in work recently for installation of vital equipment in South East Asia. When I volunteered for the job it sounded great, interesting, challenging work, an opportunity to see a different part of the world for a short time and best of all, a break from the old routine.

And then Covid happened.

The work is vital and is still going ahead, but obviously there are major precautions to be taken to reduce the risk of the spread of this pesky virus. One of the main conditions, and the one that I will find most challenging, is that on arrival in the foreign city, I will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

The country I'm heading to is very strict and I'm told security will be assigned to my floor to ensure that I stay put. I will be unable to leave my room in my five star hotel for two weeks. Basically locked in a gilded cage. It's only hitting me now how difficult this experience is going to be.

So, I'd like to put it out there. What would the good patrons of After Hours do to pass the time, perhaps productively, but, most importantly, in a way that will not affect my mental health. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Dress up as a local and give security the slip. They can't be watching you 24 hours a day for a fortnight. Some of those countries are known to be amenable to a bribe as well.

https://www.nationthailand.com/national/30332063

Maybe you'll be lucky and get the ride off a security guard :P

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/australia-coronavirus-surge-linked-guards-22388421

Australia coronavirus surge linked to guards 'having sex with Brits' at quarantine hotels

An inquiry is under way to determine whether the huge spike in coronavirus cases in Victoria, Australia, was caused by a bungled hotel quarantine programme which reportedly saw security guards having sex with guests