La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
AFTER LUNCH YESTERDAY, I WENT back to bed for a couple of hours. Finally, at around 6:30 p.m. (18:30), I was ready to face the world again. That is, the world after all the restaurants and bars were required to close and not many people were out and about. So I walked, and ‘I saw the light(s).’
As of Friday, restaurants will be permitted to remain open until 10:30 p.m. (22:30); and curfew will move an hour from 10 to 11 p.m. (23:00). That’s an early dinner for locals (like us), but it’s better than nothing.
As part of the rules at the national level, it was announced that for the holidays, families and “allegados” (a rarely used word that means “close friends” — and sometimes “relatives”) could cross provincial borders to gather in groups of 10. When making the announcement, Minister of Health Salvador Illa was asked how “allegado” would be defined. He said something to the effect of, “People will know.”
But, many people (even native Spaniards) didn’t know what the word meant, let alone how to interpret it. Thankfully, Andalucía announced that only families could gather, since the concept of allegado is “considered ambiguous.”
That’s how I might describe my state of mind today. Ambiguous. Although it’s obviously improved. Thanks for the moral support. I can feel it.
.
DESPUÉS DEL ALMUERZO AYER, volví a la cama por unas horas. Finalmente, alrededor de las 6:30 p.m. (18:30), estaba listo para enfrentarme al mundo nuevamente. Es decir, después de todo el mundo, los restaurantes y bares debían cerrar y no había mucha gente fuera de casa. Así que caminé y ‘vi la (s) luz (s)’.
A partir del viernes, los restaurantes podrán permanecer abiertos hasta las 10:30 p.m. (22:30); y el toque de queda se moverá una hora de 10 a 11 p.m. (23:00). Es una cena temprana para los lugareños (como nosotros), pero es mejor que nada.
Como parte de las reglas a nivel nacional, se anunció que para las vacaciones, las familias y los allegados (una palabra que se usa raramente y que significa “queridos amigos” — y en ocasiones “familiares”) podrían cruzar las fronteras provinciales para reunirse en grupos de 10. Al hacer el anuncio, se le preguntó al ministro de sanidad Salvador Illa cómo se definiría “allegado”, dijo algo como: “La gente lo sabrá”.
Pero muchos gente ni siquiera sabían lo que significaba la palabra, y mucho menos cómo interpretarla. Afortunadamente, Andalucía anunció que solo las familias pueden reunirse, ya que el concepto de allegado se “considera ambiguo”.
Así es como podría describir mi estado de ánimo hoy. Ambiguo. Aunque evidentemente ha mejorado. Gracias por el apoyo moral. Puedo sentirlo.
Mercado público, biblioteca, y centro comunitario a la derecha (todos contenidos en la caja contemporánea sin encanto).
Ese es el letrero de Mesón Salvador a la derecha iluminado después de horas.
La Iglesia de la Virgen del Carmen con el pescador siempre cuidando una red.
Cercanías la derecha.
Tranquilízate.
“People will know” = trusting people’s judgement. I wrote an article a few years ago, that referred to LGBTQ chossen families – the editor didn’t understand what I was trying to say. I bet you would understand.
David:
YES, I would. And, yeah, “people will know.” When was the last time you can remember THAT working?
Just what folks don’t need in the time of Covid–yet another ambiguous message.
OTH–I’m willing to bet that the light from Mesón Salvador is a little beacon of hope for you…even when it is closed. Good to have a place where you are always welcome, well-fed and happy.
Mary:
So glad Andalucía took the bull by the horns! And, yes, I LOVE seeing the Mesón Salvador sign whether they’re open or closed.
I think it best to make it close family only.
Love the lights and, dare I say it, is that a Hot Jesus?
Bob:
You’d think he would appreciate by now that the decisions can NOT be left up to individual discretion and interpretation. And, yes, isn’t that a hot Jesus? Those soccer-player thighs show up often on these statues. I knew an artist in Sevilla who specialised in religious sculptures and restorations. He was gay… and a hunk… and his sculptures were stunning and often erotic.
I love the lights; so festive. meson salvador is a constant in this shitty year. in 16 more days, 2020 is OVER!
anne marie:
And the electoral colleges did what they were supposed to do. I so miss dinners at Mesón Salvador. I hope 2020 gets hit in the ass as it walks out the door.
I think, in fact I know, we have all been spoiled. It’s just one Christmas for heavens sake. Pull it together people of the world! Unless you really want to risk it.
Keep those restrictions strict. Otherwise this will go on and on…despite the vaccine.
Jim:
They never learn… I’m quoting The Little Rascals, I think.
Yeah, what Jim said!
Debra:
Can I double ditto?
Living with ambiguity is what all of us are doing these days — but “allegados” sounds especially ambiguous. Our lockdown has been tightened here, but we’re rolling with it. (Not that there’s any other option.) Glad you’re having a better day. 🙂
Steve:
Yep. No one can cover every possible interpretation but when much of the Spanish speaking population doesn’t know the word to begin with, he’s really playing with fire.
Allegados, I like the word, I had never heard it either, but hey count on politicians to come up with such a term. This could be a free for all. I much prefer the word Muchachos, not precise but hey it’s the Holiday Season and anyone can be your compadre.
Laurent:
Apparently, the word allegado has been out of use for a long time because it’s always been ambiguous. Leave it to a politician to bring it back.
Christmas lights always make me happy. I think we seem to be going the other way here. In New Hope by 9 everything is closed. And even then, some places are take out only again.
Mistress Maddie:
I’m glad the cities do a lot of decorating (although less, as I mentioned, in our city this year). Individual decorating in a big way is not at all common here. But I’m also proud of our city for pulling back to reallocate funds for special needs during the pandemic. It’s not easy to keep up with the regulations, but we do our best.
Thank You so much for the Lovely Christmas lights !
Thank You for all the lovely Christmas lights !
Parsnip:
I’d love to go into Málaga and share more, but there have been more people there at night than there should be and I won’t risk it.
Peace out to you, too, Mitchell. So – you finally saw the light(s)!
I did our last grocery shopping of the year today. The owner of our favorite shop asked me if I would be in again before Christmas and and I told him no (he knows we only shop once a month). As I was checking out he came over with logo presents of a very nice insulated travel mug and a colorful Chinese calendar. The calendar features Chinese artwork of cows (and bulls)! Made me think of your bull on the hill and the Ale-hoop cow on wheels. Except these cows and bulls are in flower gardens and quite romanticized. Anyway, it was quite sweet of the owner to quickly assemble a Christmas gift package for me. We have a small, and manageable, influx of tourists now, all of whom are wearing masks and behaving appropriately. There is a palpable sense of hope that livelihoods will survive. Light of another sort.
Wilma:
I’m so happy to read of YOUR light. So many business here have closed and already many (although not a majority) have reopened in their places. I hope things turn around quickly enough for the new risk-takers. What nice gifts from your shop owner!
Have you completely stopped writing your own blog?
I am almost psyched up enough to start blogging again. I have been “practising” by writing pretty regularly in a personal journal, complete with photos. Thanks for asking! I’ll take it as encouragement.
Wilma:
Absolute encouragement. I didn’t want to put pressure on you by asking. I miss your blog!
The lights are beautiful. Christmas lights give me some hope.
Love,
Janie
Janie:
Same for me. Anything to brighten these dark days. Stay well. Be well. Feel hugged. And THANKS again for the card to Chuck. It makes him so happy… but not always any less difficult!
Why am I suddenly thinking of José Feliciano?
Walt the Fourth:
I don’t know. Is it because I light your fire? (Or is it because you want you somebody… you want you a woman, you want you a lover or is it because you want you a friend?)
I think it was the “Feliz Navidad.” Third base.
Sending a card to Chuck is a gift I give myself.
Janie:
My mother used to say it was a waste of money to send him a card every week! Thank you for your kindness and for understanding. You make a huge difference!
It always makes me smile and feel good to read your comments and know you are surround by Love here.