La versión español está después de la versión inglés.
I HAD MIXED FEELINGS YESTERDAY when I stepped onto our terrace and saw children and adults out together walking on the beach, riding bicycles, and enjoying some freedom. First, it made me happy. What a relief after all these days at home.
But then I was jealous. I wanted to be out there, too. And not just to take out the recycling. And knowing my chance for a better outdoor experience will come in less than a week (five days) didn’t help.
Not everyone is following the rules, but most are. I saw some news photos of people in other cities like Madrid and Barcelona who were outside in much-too-close contact without taking appropriate safety measures. I hope they don’t screw things up for us all. Anyway, I am happy for those parents and kids who are doing things right — and, really, I’m happy for us all. Some parents looked a bit nervous being outside with their kids. Others looked like they had found a bit of heaven.
When I spotted an obviously recently buffed and polished father contentedly sipping from what looked like a coconut (it was not, but I don’t know what it was) and then basking in the sun while his child played in the sand, I thought, “I need to rent a kid.” Click the images and feel the relief.
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AYER ME SENTÍ MEZCLADO CUANDO entré en nuestra terraza y vi a niños y adultos salir a caminar juntos a la playa, andar en bicicleta, y disfrutar de la libertad. Primero, me hizo feliz. Qué alivio después de todos estos días en casa.
Pero entonces estaba celosa. Yo también quería estar ahí afuera. Y no solo para sacar el reciclaje. Y conocer mi oportunidad de una mejor experiencia al aire libre en menos de una semana (cinco días) no ayudó.
No todos siguen las reglas, pero la mayoría sí. Vi algunas fotos de noticias de personas en otras ciudades como Madrid y Barcelona que estaban afuera en un contacto demasiado cercano sin tomar las medidas de seguridad adecuadas. Espero que no nos arruinen las cosas a todos. De todos modos, estoy feliz por esos padres y niños que están haciendo las cosas bien, y, realmente, estoy feliz por todos nosotros. Algunos padres parecían un poco nerviosos al estar afuera con sus hijos. Otros parecían haber encontrado un poco de cielo.
Cuando vi a un padre recién pulido, obviamente, que sorbía contento de lo que parecía un coco (no lo era, pero no sé qué era) y luego tomaba el sol mientras su hijo jugaba en la arena, pensé: “Necesito alquilar un niño”. Haz clic en las imágenes y siente el alivio.
Slowly but surely is the key. Happy that things are getting back to normal. Let’s hope everyone practices safety.
We have a month to go before things begin to open up.
Enjoy the thought of in just five days you will be able to get some fresh air and walk the beaches again.
Jim:
I saw a couple of possible cheaters yesterday. But I also saw police patrolling the Paseo. So far so good.
A very nice sign, hopefully the guy in red, is the start of the summer fashion trend. I bet there are some parents who would loan you their kids after having been locked up with them for 45 days.
David:
We’ve got neighbors with a 5-year-old and 2-year-old. We’re friendly, but we’re also social-distancing. So for the past 6 weeks, all we’ve done is wave. Kathleen offered to lend us Luke, but that would be cheating; they’re more than a kilometer away. I can hold out for 5 days.
I don’t suppose you could pass off Dudo and Moose as a pair of hairy twins?
Debra:
Well, you know they’re actually brothers of quintuplets. But beyond that, the idea of trying to take either of them out on the street is frightening. There have been some odd “pet” reports around the country that the police have shared. A man in the north walked his pet goldfish (in its bowl). Another walked his chicken. And yet another was caught walking his toy dog (not like a toy poodle, actually a stuffed toy on a long leash; he took it for a drag). Of course, there was the guy last month who went out in a T-Rex costume. They thought they were so clever, but the police were not amused.
Wrap Dudo or Moose up in a blankie and carry him around like anew born. That might work … or just call the bald hottie with the coconut your Daddy?
Bob:
Yes, and both such believable options. Did I tell you about the idiot that took his goldfish, in its bowl, out for a walk? And the other with a chicken on a leash? Better yet, the guy walking/dragging his toy (as in stuffed and fake) puppy? In other cities, thankfully. And, although the culprits thought they were clever (and funny), the police were not amused.
From your photos, at least, it seems there was no stampede and that folks are behaving. Hope it all goes smoothly with no set backs. Hang on, Mitchell!
Bus service is starting again here with the caveats that everyone wear a mask and no standing passengers. And the buses get disinfected daily (maybe more often – I’m not certain of the details) Remember, these are “retired” US school buses for the most part. Carry out from restaurants is allowed and hardware stores open for delivery only. Very strictly enforced with sizable fines for offenses.
Wilma:
What I could see from here was very reassuring. The government of Spain has said that people around the country for the most part were respectful and followed the rules; they said they’ll share more info as they learn more (especially due to some photos shared on social media).
People aren’t listening. Just yesterday I saw three different deliveries from shipping companies to various pied de terres…no gloves or masks. Mark my words…we have not seen the worst of this. If it resurges, I think it will be worst .
I also talked to a lady we rent the house from at the beach…and the boardwalks and beaches in Rehoboth are prohibited currently.
Mistress Maddie:
I have to admit, it’s a lot easier when the rules are clear and everyone, everywhere is expected to do the same thing. Good to hear about Rehoboth. But hope a vaccine comes sooner than expected!
Mistress Maddie:
Our delivery people have been extremely careful. One of our toilets needed repair (all new internal parts!) this morning. Our plumber arrived in gloves and mask. I wore a mask, too, while he was here. We haven’t had a delivery for a couple of weeks. Some wouldn’t even come upstairs. The last guy waited for me outside the lobby (masked and gloved) and when I opened the door, he slid the box across the floor to me before quickly backing away and waving. I can’t imagine the stress they’ve been under.
It must be a huge relief for people to be able to get outside and get some sun again. That DOES look like a coconut! I see the tamarisk trees are blooming — the ones that are alive, anyway.
Steve:
Some tamarisk trees are beautiful right now. Others, as you can see, are either dead or almost dead. There are more pink ones remaining than I realized. They’re in bloom now. Few, however, are very healthy, but the flowers are beautiful. We’ve had so little sun these 45 days. Yesterday afternoon’s sun was an additional gift to those parents and kids.
I really hope the reckless don’t wreck it for you. I think I would have gone stark raving mad stuck in a house with my 4 stepkids when they were young, I love them but holy batcrap, I wouldn’t have survived and I’m pretty sure hubby wouldn’t have either (we’ve giggled about that fact a few times in the last few weeks)
Cheapchick:
According to the Spanish government, most people followed the rules. So, maybe those social media photos are an anomaly or misrepresentation (imagine that!). I could not imagine being stuck inside with little kids. Poor kids and POOR POOR parents.
you could rent luke
anne marie:
Kathleen offered to lend him to me. Oh, how I wish.
I can feel your excitement and hope, Mitch!
Just to see anyone enjoying themselves legally makes one feel a bit hopeful. Breaking the rules never appealed to me even though there have been a few sins in my life ~ nothing I couldn’t handle.
So buffness is alive and well in Fuengirola ~ smiles ~ lucky kid!
I hope we all don’t suffer a second wave xxxx
Ron:
Everyone jokes about how they’ve let themselves go during lockdown — shaggy, unshaved, untrimmed. That dad was so perfectly waxed and polished Sunday, he must have just that morning made himself presentable for public consumption. Very nice of him. I evaluate rules and usually follow (unless I find them completely absurd). These rules have been created to protect everyone. I won’t put someone else at risk because I don’t think the rules should apply to me. But I think social media may have exaggerated the number of rule breakers around the country. At least, I hope so.
Hey, I think Mr. Orange Shorts papa was sipping yerba mate
Judy:
Thank you!!! He’s been back every day and, while his daughter plays, he mixes something up and pours it into that gourd. Today I saw that what he poured from was a yellow can. Now I know what it is. I guess he wants to look like he’s drinking the real, freshly mixed thing as opposed to the canned version. I’ll have to give it a try.