La versión español está después de la versión inglés.
FRIDAY EVENING AT 5:15, I received a text message from Pedro. The message: “Oh my God! Have you looked outside your balcony?!” I grabbed my camera and ran out to the terrace. I thought maybe there were dolphins. Or whales. So I scanned the sea. Nothing. Maybe the police were doing something on the Paseo. Perhaps a Virgin was being paraded. Or there might be a socially distant marathon. I scanned right and left. Nothing.
I started to text back to Pedro to ask him what it was I was looking for when I heard a big little voice call out, “Mitchell!” I looked across the street and there was Luke, along with his parents and baby brother, waving and smiling. Like good Andalusians, we had an entire conversation from three stories away and across the broad street. Fortunately, they were the only people out at that particular moment. Besides, they made my entire day better.
A few minutes later, as they headed home on our side of the street (we now have one-way pedestrian traffic on each side of the Paseo), Pedro walking separately with Beckett, and Kathleen with Luke, so as not to break any rules, we all noticed the shadows. So, of course they posed.
GOOD NEWS:
Beginning Monday, Málaga Province is approved to move to Phase 1. I’ll spare you all the details, but among the changes: Many businesses will be open by appointment only. Restaurant/bar terraces will be allowed to open at 50 percent of capacity. Family/friends can gather, up to a maximum of 10 individuals. Travel is permitted but only within one’s own province. Museums and cultural events can re-open at 30 percent of capacity. Through it all, commercial establishments are required to follow a strict protocol for disinfection. Here in Fuengirola, blue arrows have been painted on the Paseo pavement for one-way–only pedestrian traffic on either side of the street.
Click the images for better views of the shadowy figures passing by on wheels, on foot, and doing demolition on a restaurant terrace rooftop below. The last two photos are of my favorite awesome foursome.
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EL VIERNES POR LA TARDE a las 5:15, recibí un mensaje de texto de Pedro. El mensaje: “¡Dios mío! ¿Has mirado fuera de tu balcón?” Agarré mi cámara y salí corriendo a la terraza. Pensé que tal vez había delfines. O ballenas. Así que escaneé el mar. Nada. Quizás la policía estaba haciendo algo en el Paseo. Quizás se estaba desfilando una Virgen. O puede haber un maratón socialmente distante. Escaneé a derecha e izquierda. Nada.
Empecé a enviarle un mensaje de texto a Pedro para preguntarle qué era lo que estaba buscando cuando escuché una gran voz gritar: “¡Mitchell” Miré al otro lado de la calle y allí estaba Luke, junto con sus padres y su hermanito, saludando y sonriendo. Como buenos andaluces, tuvimos una conversación completa a tres pisos de distancia y al otro lado de la calle ancha. Afortunadamente, eran las únicas personas en ese momento en particular. Además, mejoraron mi día entero.
Unos minutos después, mientras se dirigían a casa a nuestro lado de la calle, Pedro camina por separado con Beckett y Kathleen con Luke, para no romper ninguna regla, todos notamos las sombras. Entonces, por supuesto que posaron.
BUENAS NOTICIAS:
A partir del lunes, la provincia de Málaga ha sido aprobada para pasar a la Fase 1. Le proporcionaré todos los detalles, pero entre los cambios: muchas empresas estarán abiertas solo con cita previa. Las terrazas del restaurantes/bars se abrirán al 50 por ciento de su capacidad. Se pueden reunir familiares/amigos, hasta un máximo de 10 personas. Se permite viajar, pero solo dentro de la propia provincia. Los museos y eventos culturales pueden reabrir al 30 por ciento de su capacidad. A pesar de todo, los establecimientos comerciales deben seguir un protocolo estricto para la desinfección. Aquí en Fuengirola, se han pintado flechas azules en el pavimento del Paseo para el tráfico peatonal de un solo sentido a cada lado de la calle.
Haz clic en las imágenes para ver mejor las figuras sombrías que pasan sobre ruedas, a pie y hacen la demolición en la terraza de la terraza de un restaurante a continuación. Las dos últimas fotos son de mi favorito silueto cuarteto.
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Love these silhouettes! Pedro and family performed well!
We are opening up here very slowly as well. We can now go on a beach and two family/friend ‘bubbles’ can meet together now with no more than 10 all together.
Here’s hoping people will remain cautious and stay within the parameters/protocols laid out.
Jim:
We’re appreciating how lucky we are to not live in a big city right now. Fuengirola is so much easier to manage and people are mostly cooperative. In Málaga city itself, there are some challenges with crowd control. Madrid is apparently very difficult. With a small group from a privileged neighborhood protesting their loss of freedom. They said it’s like a dictatorship, which is interesting because they’re the same group that supports the right wing party AND supported Franco (and still do)… an actual dictator. We used to wonder if we’d be happier living in the big city… not anymore. Anyway, drugged, tired, and crabby, so I’ll shut up now!
nothing changes here until 6/4. that was nice of pedro & family to drop by. and you take good shadow pix.
another version of the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S7PLeFycqU
anne marie:
The shadow pix are my new “thing” I think. So much fun. Thanks for the song link. Whenever I select a song, I review at least a few, often more than a dozen and then decide which I’m in the mood for. The first things I am for (not always successful) are the lyrics subtitled in Spanish, ideally both Spanish and English. Saw a couple of other friends (Santi and Marisa) when I was coming home this morning. We hugged each other from about 20 feet away.
Great new art form, it is good to hear some normality – new normal.
David:
I’m really enjoying capturing the shadows. My new hobby. So nice to see shops opening up. Tomorrow is going to look very different (and strange, too) around town.
Sounds like things age much more clear cut, organized and methodical there than the chaos we have here in the US. What a circus. But with a clown for president, what can go wrong? The photos are interesting, but I get disoriented easily. Maybe because I’ve been chronically disoriented for so long.
Frank:
The government is trying to be very clear. They miss some details, but we understand how hard it is. Unfortunately, not everyone here is as cooperative or enlightened. Supporters of Franco (yes, they’re still there) are protesting our current “dictatorship.” No complaints, however, about the real dictatorship that existed here until the mid ’70s. Sorry to disorient you. Then again, that was the point of flipping the photos. So, I guess I was successful.
I love the shadow pics! It’s like Land of the Giants!
Mistress Maddie:
This is so much fun.
More fun shadows, especially fun with Luke and family! Enjoy Phase 1 and stay safe.
Wilma:
Luke I don’t think had any clue why they were posing, but it was great. This has become my new pastime. Although it’s a bit stressful, it’s nice to see more life in the city… except for today when everything is closed anyway!
I love the shadow shots.
We’re slowly reopening here, too.Several restaurants are opening at 50% capacity, which is nice. Our Farmer’s Market is open, but you aren’t allowed to touch anything; the vendors give you what you ask for or point to’ and our friends Peter and Fran reopened their bakery to one person or couple at a time, so we stopped in their for Jalapeno Cheddar bread and pastries and chitchat.
It’s nice being nearly normal again.
Bob:
It IS nice being a little bit more normal again. Let’s hope we all keep going in the right direction now.
What a lovely surprise!
Debra:
They made me so happy. SG was having his siesta! Pedro and I were trying to get Beckett to look up to the terrace to see me. He just couldn’t get it. Finally, Kathleen said, “He can’t see that far yet.” It’s so nice to have a knowledgeable adult around.
OMG that is great news – the same lifting of restrictions is happening here. Still, we are going to be cautious. Love that picture of the 4 of them, that is a classic pandemic picture too, a piece of history
Cheapchick:
I love that picture, too. They make things more fun. SO good to see them so near (and yet so far).
Excellent shadowcraft! (I’m not sure that’s a word, but it should be.) I’m glad you’re moving to a more open phase of existence. I would love to go sit on a restaurant terrace somewhere.
Steve:
So looking forward to seeing the terraces open. Only hope they ban smoking until the entire restaurants are open again. If they don’t we won’t be sticking around.
I love the silhouettes! Very creative. I know it lifted your spirits to see your friends! What fun.
Jennifer:
The shadows are offering me lots of entertainment. Was thrilled to see the gang. Hope to see them more often now.
Good luck to all on the loosening up; I don’t trust it.
Urspo:
It’s a bit anxiety laden, but the city is managing things pretty well. It pays to be in a city this size as opposed to Málaga … or Madrid. Much easier to manage.
How wonderful to see your friends. Your shadow photos are great.
parsnip
Parsnip:
It really was the boost I needed. The shadow photos are my new favorite thing. I’ve got ideas!
Stunning. We often forget the power of black and white (though of course there are all the shades of each).
Willym:
I had started with color, then flipped them around a bit, and then thought black and white would be so much more powerful. I’m really enjoying this.