La versión español está después de la versión inglés.
I CAN’T IGNORE in my daily reporting what’s going on in Spain as a result of the Coronavirus. Obviously, I’ve never experienced anything like this. But I plan to include daily photos of interest and even entertainment, and less “viral” conversation as time passes.
Here we are at Day 2 of the lockdown in Spain and, specifically, in Fuengirola. At this time, our friends and neighbors are all well. San Geraldo and I are very lucky to live right on the beach with a 30-square-meter (33o sf) terrace providing great views, sunlight, fresh air, and outdoor living spaces. Not a bad place to be confined if one must be confined.
My pal Luke’s parents will be pushing the boundaries of their creativity to keep Luke and his baby brother distracted and occupied without themselves going nuts. I’ve never met two more creative parents (and two more adorable and cooperative kids) who can make that happen.
Our friends are working from home, if possible, or not working at all. Many of you are experiencing the same thing, so no need for me to go into detail. Ron in Nova Scotia had asked for close-ups of the tamarind flowers. Here they are from before the lockdown.
As I mentioned at the start of this post, I plan to share something daily so you can understand our personal experience and I’ll also share something (of interest I hope) to make you forget all about it.
Click the below photos for a bigger distraction, including a panorama of the Lockdown Day 2 from our terrace.
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NO PUEDO IGNORAR en mis noticias diarias de lo que está sucediendo en España como resultado del Coronavirus. Obviamente, nunca he experimentado algo así. Pero planeo incluir fotos diarias de interés e incluso entretenimiento, y menos conversación “viral” a medida que pasa el tiempo.
Aquí estamos en el día 2 del encierro en España y, específicamente, en Fuengirola. En este momento, nuestros amigos y vecinos están bien. San Geraldo y yo somos muy afortunados de vivir en la playa con una terraza de 30 metros cuadrados (33o pies cuadrados) que ofrece excelentes vistas, luz solar, aire fresco, y espacios de vida al aire libre. No es un mal lugar para ser confinado si uno debe ser confinado.
Los padres de mi amigo Luke empujarán los límites de su creatividad para mantener a Luke y su hermanito distraídos y ocupados sin volverse locos. Nunca he conocido a dos padres más creativos (y dos niños más adorables y cooperativos) que puedan hacer que eso suceda.
Nuestros amigos están trabajando desde casa, si es posible, o no trabajan en absoluto. Muchos de vosotros estáis experimentando lo mismo, por lo que no es necesario que entre en detalles. Ron en Nueva Escocia había pedido primeros planos de las flores de tamarindo. Aquí están desde antes del cierre.
Como mencioné al comienzo de esta entrada, planeo compartir algo a diario para que pueda comprender nuestra experiencia personal y también compartiré algo (de interés, espero) para que lo olvide todo.
Haz clic en las fotos a continuación para obtener una mayor distracción, incluido un panorama del Dia 2 del Encierro desde nuestra terraza.
Good to hear, looking forward to the updates.
David:
So glad you guys made it home safely. I was worried you were going to get stuck! Be well!
This IS all a little weird for sure. We are not on lockdown as you are as of yet. We got our first 3 confirmed cases in Nova Scotia yesterday. We are self-isolating but able to go outside for fresh air and exercise…..so we go to the beach trail. Our niece has volunteered to get any groceries we may need. This was a concern for us as we both are seniors and have compromised immune systems.
Your view will keep you guys sane and healthy. Looking forward to seeing your photos from the balcony.
You made Ron smile and happy for those photos of the Tamarind. Thanks.
Jim:
I do miss, at minimum, my daily walks. So great you’ve got family nearby to help. I wasn’t really accepting the fact that we, too, are considered at risk, although we’re lucky to be at less risk than others. Anything that makes Ron (and you) happy makes me happy because you both always make me grateful!
Thanks so much Mitch. We have a fall/autumn shrub that has a similar bloom and display. It is so amazing that this planet can be even more close/similar these many miles away.
Take massive care of you both and continue to share your world.
Jim’s niece offered to do our grocery shopping, any time whatever is needed.
People are pulling together!
Ron
Ron:
I’ve never seen this kind tamarind and for a while was convinced it was just being called by a wrong name. It’s beautiful when it does well, but it so rarely does well here. These are the nicest of seen any of them since we’ve lived here. But some that have bloomed gloriously already look spindly! We’re being very careful and simply pretending we’re already infected and have to protect others from US. Your niece is a sweetheart, but then I already knew that. Enjoy your gardens… and the walks while they’re permitted. We’ve got drones monitoring behavior.
We’re still in the cautious stage right now, but we’re ready f that should change.
Glad you two are well, and enjoying the view at east!
Bob:
I had a brilliant (unoriginal) idea to take the long way to the recycling bins across the street and to make several trips a day. I went down once yesterday and was so aware of door handles, etc., that I decided to not be stupid. So, one trip perhaps and then out on the terrace if I want more air. We’re being very careful. Wishing you and Carlos both well!
I appreciate any post you do; daily posts are appreciated.
How curious to read Spain’s reactions compared to other places.
Urspo:
It IS fascinating to see how different parts of the world are handling the situation. The Spanish government was being given grief for what some thought was a slow response. But, they’ve certainly stepped up and have taken control now. Our city has been exceptional. Sanitation crews are out cleaning public spaces, benches, etc. Streets remain spotless. Shop owners (the ones that are permitted to be open) are being very careful and following safety rules. The only uncooperative ones are the cats, who think that since I’m home all morning, their 1:00 treat should be moved up to 11!
I expect no less of the cats. When you love them they drive you crazy – because they know they can.
And don’t forget — you have Moose and Dudo to keep you amused with their antics!
Debra:
They are SO excited that we’re in the house all day. And, I just mentioned in a reply to Spo, that they now think that since I’m home, their after-morning-coffee 1 p.m. treat should be moved up to 11 or 11:30 (which would be when I would usually leave for coffee). Dudo is being especially annoying. Right now, he’s sitting at my feet STARING at me and meowing every minute or see. The staring! Well, you know what that’s like. He’s been at it since 11 and I’m making him wait until at least noon. One minute to go!
Well we are on/in self-isolation. I like to think of it as a vacation from my usual hibernation. Balder Half still goes into work. The starting age for the isolation is 65. I’ve got a whole nuther year to go, but I’ve got no place to be anyway. Love the pretty flowers, Scoot. If you’re taking requests, post pix of SG holding a plant. Or SG holding a cat. Or SG holding a cooking utensil. Or SG just sitting there smiling. I’m not picky 😉 Throw in some of yourself and the kitties, I love it all.
The CDC says to keep gatherings at under 50. There goes all of the garden parties I was planning 🙁 Well, at least now I won’t have to grow a garden, or have people over, or cook, or pretend I’m enjoying myself. BONUS!
Take care you two.
Update: we will be on shelter-in-place starting at midnight 3/17. There is no parking at the grocery stores because people are nutz! I’ve got wash cloths and running water, so who needs toilet paper? I will have hoped to have lost at least ten pounds (probably 2) by the time this is over. I would seem that breaking news puts people in a panic rather than reassure them. I repeat, PEOPLE ARE NUTZ!
Deedles:
Well, I’m glad you were already being careful. Yeah, the toilet paper. Like THAT’s the most important thing to have in an emergency. I’m glad you at least are rational. Hey! When was the last time someone said you were rational???
Deedles:
I promise to share pics of SG. He’s so photogenic… and such a good sport. So sorry about the garden parties. We ourselves think we don’t want to be around people until we CAN’T be around people. NOW we miss them!
Hi Mitchell. I can finally post comments again! So nice to read your daily blog posts. Beautiful photos of the tamarind blossoms. Here in Belize there are no confirmed cases, but as a tourist destination, I’m sure Belize has some cases lurking. We are isolating ourselves, but it is easy for us since our location is isolated to begin with. Only 1 person lives near us – to come in contact with anyone else involves a boat trip. We still have our day workers coming over, but can interact with them from a distance since they work outside. We have enough food and supplies on hand to last for at least 3 months, but I do plan to travel in to “civilization” to pay some bills that must be paid in person. We are fortunate to have a little veg garden starting to produce and some fruit trees too. Keep well and keep us posted! cheers, Wilma
Wilma!
I’ve been thinking about you. SO great to see a message. You do seem to have the perfect living situation to get through these unsettling times. May you both stay well, happy, and well fed!
No lock-down in U.K. either. We’ve been slower to have restrictions on our movements put on us than most other European countries, giving rise to great public concern that our government isn’t taking the situation seriously enough, though they are saying they’re following the advice of scientists that going slow will flatten the peak when it comes, thus enabling our National Health Service better to cope. Then suddenly,,and out of the blue, yesterday comes the ‘;threat’ that shortly all those of 70-plus years ((which includes me) will be ordered not to go out for up to FOUR months! – and who’s to say that this won’t be extended? We’re seeing pictures of Spain (and Italy) with their empty streets and highways daily on our T.V.s and we know it’s only a matter of ever-shortening time before it comes to us too. We’re all biting our nails here..
Raybeard:
The UK has been taking a different route than other European countries. I have no clue what they’re actually thinking. Over 60. Over 70. Over 80. I forget how old we are (and how many risk factors we have), until I read the warnings. So we’re being extra careful. Take good care of yourself! Cuddle with the cats and stay well. And now I have to go give the boys their 1:00 treat. It’s noon and I’ve put them off for an hour already!
We have had only one confirmed case here on the Island but businesses are shutting down and restrictions are in place. Staying at home seems the best option – and Laurent has hidden all the knives and other sharp objects. Since it is cold and grey outside our windows your photos are brightening up our day. Lovely, thank you.
Willym:
Better to act BEFORE it spreads (like it did here). Italy is an example of a very slow and poor approach.. and that appears to be the source for the first Spanish cases. So glad we’re now doing what we are. Stay well and be kind to each other. SG doesn’t hid the knives from ME, because I’d just accidentally stab myself anyway!
It’s kind of like preparing for a hurricane. People are getting all the bottled water, bleach, paper towels, and toilet paper that they can get their hands on. Fortunately, I always have plenty of those items in the house because I got used to being prepared for whatever when we had blizzards in Maryland. We don’t have a lot of traffic on the roads and the hood is quiet. People are pretty much staying in, except in more southerly Florida where the young people want to carry on with spring break. The government is putting an end to that. Your photos are beautiful. I’ll enjoy hearing about what it’s like where you are to the extent that one can enjoy a pandemic.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
The shopping hoarders are ridiculous. I wish the shops had thought to limit quantities at the start. We don’t have a huge supply of anything, however I remember from our time in California when, like you, we were stocked for emergencies (i.e., earthquakes and tsunamis). I promise to share photos to distract and entertain (at least I hope they do).
You are so fortunate to have that fabulous view. It’s going to make this period of confinement so much more bearable. I don’t know how people with kids (or multiple big dogs) do it. There’s a lot of speculation that we’ll be in lockdown here in the UK before too long.
Steve:
You’re right about our view and location. And about people with kids and dogs. The dogs at least enable people here to get out for their regular walks, although they have to be brief and simply about the dogs’ business. Wishing you well there. Stay healthy! And be careful while you’re still working!
so this is what tamarin flowers look like, I have seen them before but had no idea what they were.
Laurent:
This is a different kind of tamarind than any I’ve seen. When I was told by the gardeners that that’s what it was, I thought maybe it was a misnomer. But apparently it’s some different variety. These flowers look more pearly white, while other trees have pure pink flowers. The pink ones, however, seem to be even more delicate to our environment because there are only a few left around town… and they don’t look at all happy.
pretty flowers. my daffs are starting to open, as is the forsythia and the bradford pear. and my allergies are kicking in. cats and SG and beach scenes will be welcome. good to hear about luke and his family.
anne marie:
We no longer get those fall flowers like daffs and forsythia. And oh how I love those. My sister used to regularly buy a bunch of daffodils one her way home from work at the flower vendor by the subway station for our mother. So there’s that additional sweet memory. I don’t know how Pedro and Kathleen do it. Yesterday, Pedro built a string obstacle course in the long hall inside their apartment.
France is increasing “social distancing” as I believe it is now being called in the anglophone world. We’re supposed to download a form, a declaration on one’s honor, to carry with when venturing out to state the destination and purpose of your trip. Pharmacy is OK, picnic with friends is not OK. Being confined to our house and half-acre, and walks in the vineyard, does not feel like a hardship. At least for the short term.
Walt the Fourth:
We regularly talk about increasing social distancing, now that we’re required to be completely anti-social, we don’t like it very much. That declaration of honor sounds a bit much to me. We must have ID with us at all times. And, you’re right, we’re very lucky to have such pleasant confinements. Not everyone does. I do wish, however, that right now we had a half-acre like yours!