Spanish views from a small town

Today dawned cloudy, after low clouds moved in from the sea yesterday evening. The weather is changing. Next week will be cooler and we might get some rain. Summer is over. For now. The news on the virus is mixed. The national deaths are now in the single digits, and new infections are below two hundred. But, since people prefer to follow their own comfort, we won't be rid of it any time soon. I fear that, as soon as inter-provincial transit is allowed, infections will start to go up. I don't know if borders will be opened in July. And, if they are, will people still want to travel to a foreign country where they might get infected, however low the infection rate may be? One place few will go is the United States. The country is imploding, it seems. I remember reading about revolts that happened around the time I was born. But there were leaders with cooler heads then, even if one of the results was Nixon's election. Now, there's a buffoon with a trigger-happy Twitt...

Here, we continue in Phase Two, with limited gatherings. If you look at the beaches, it seems like a regular summer's day. The heat is driving everyone to the seaside, and, though on the first days people were more circumspect, with the rising heat, precautions are forgotten. Which leads to foci of new contagions. My husband complains that at the café where he stops every morning for a coffee, almost no one is wearing a mask. He stays away from them and wears his own, except for when he sips from his cup. We are definitely not out of the woods yet.  Where they are jumping into the fire is in the United States. Apart from the mismanagement of the pandemic, now the usual monster of racism has again trundled through the cities. Apparently, an African-American man, George Floyd, had paid for something at a convenience store with a twenty dollar counterfeit bill. The police were called, and they put him under arrest. They took him out of his car, and according to bystanders, many ...

In every town there's a store that everyone has gone to at one time or another. It carries just about everything, and has reasonable prices. The owners are always to be seen attending to customers, even if there are other shop assistants. It's a place where you've been taken by your grandparents, and where you take your children. In our town, there's such a store. It's called Encarnita Moda. It had a long history. It was open since 1951 and closed just at the end of last November. The owners, Juan and Encarnita, were always there; it didn't matter that they had retired.  You could wander in naked, and wander out dressed from top to bottom. They sold underwear, shoes, socks, clothes both for adults and children, coats, jackets, hats, yarn for crochet and knitting, buttons, zippers, thread, patches, embroidery floss, elastic, ribbon, hooks and clasps, sheets, blankets, bed spreads, towels, sewing needles, knitting needles, and crochet needles. And probably muc...

These days are typical of July. Last night, it was difficult to sleep, even with the windows open, because there was barely a breath of air until close to dawn. This morning I got up just after eight and went for my walk at twenty to nine.  As I started along the lane to the village, the air felt pleasant, with a touch of a warm breeze. I realized that it was too warm. If I had felt cold starting out the walk, it would have been better.  I rarely encounter anyone along the walk into the village. It's just the trees on one side, and the fields on the other. Last year, there was a horse that grazed where it wished, and once followed me. This year, the owner seems to have taken it somewhere else. There are also some sheep that are in either one field or another, but not today.  Approaching the village, I cross over the brook that has gone down in size. At the beginning of the month, it was swollen from the rain we'd gotten this spring. Now, it still rambles a bit high,...

Yesterday was time to start going afield. I went to the mall As Cancelas in Santiago, and my daughter went to the beach. It was hot, but the wind tamped down the temperature. I drove with my windows open, mask lying on the seat beside me. Traffic was light, even in Santiago around construction work they're doing on one of the major streets. The diversion cones had been put down back in mid-March, and not much work seems to have gotten done.  In As Cancelas underground parking lot, I found a spot right near the entrance. Normally, I have to wander around, looking for a nice spot without going down to the end. It was almost four thirty, but there were less cars than usual for that hour. I got out and put on my mask. My glasses promptly started falling off. Either the mask fogs the glasses, or it causes them to slide down my nose because of the elastic on the ears. Twenty twenty vision has something to say for it in times like these. The entrance has two automatic sliding door...

The strong northeast wind continues today, and temperatures will rise again. It's starting to feel more like July than May. The forecast for next week (the first in June) is for temperatures to fall into digits more apropos of the time of year. Many people are begining to be lackadaisical about Covid-19. Since infections and deaths are going down, and the country is being opened up, it seems like normality is re-appearing. There is talk of vaccines being tested, and one that seems to do what it's supposed to do.  But, even if there's an effective vaccine, there are logistical problems. First, how long will it take to make as many doses as people? Smallpox was erradicated through vaccination, but the world population was much smaller, and the vaccination was done over many years, since Edward Jenner first introduced it, back at the end of the eighteenth century, until the late 1960's, when it was taken off the vaccination schedule. At that rate, we might not get even...

Life is becoming more normal, bit by bit. As of today, we can go to the malls, to the beach, to tiny weddings, to small funerals, and sit inside a restaurant. All, of course, maintaining a distance of two meters with strangers, and wearing masks.  The government is being pressured to end the state of alarm and finish opening up the country. Last Saturday, the sheep of Vox took to the streets in cars, waving large flags, and chanting, "Gobierno dimisión!" In one breath they accuse the government of murder by allowing the virus to take hold, and in the next, of ruining the country by shutting it down. They should make up their minds. I really don't like to hate, because I see it as a misuse of energy and something that just makes me feel worse. But there's really no other way to feel when I think about Vox and their hypocritical, self-aggrandizing, pseudo-patriotic trills. At the protest last Saturday, one of their leaders said that this was a great moment, on a pa...

Summer is in the air. It's warmer today than yesterday, and while the wind still comes from the northeast, it's calmed down today. The beaches are opening tomorrow. Since I don't have classes now, I could go. The only thing holding me back is the forecast water temperature, which is supposed to be around 17º/62º. I have no wish to freeze. My husband went fishing early this morning with a friend. It's the first time in months he's been to the ocean at daybreak. Even before the lockdown, either the weather or the tide had been against them since the end of last fall. Today, the situation was good, except for the fish. The only fish biting were small specimens, which they let go. Despite the lack of economic resources, this isn't a bad place to live. We are surrounded by fields and woodland. Except in the middle of the villages, the houses are far from neighbors. The air is cleaner, and we grown plenty of our own vegetables; some even grow their own chickens, r...

The weather is taking on a summery feel, again. While temperatures are still proper of the month of May, the wind is moderate from the northeast, and the forecast is for temperatures to start going up tomorrow, and possibly hit 30º/86º by Tuesday. Just in time for the beaches to open. Most seaside townships replied to the regional government's suggestion of an internet app to get appointments to hit the beach with a resounding "No." They find it very awkward to implement, and will instead try to keep down the crowds in different ways. Some say they will fly drones to warn people, others will parcel out the sands, so people stay farther apart. Some say they will use manpower to patrol and control. It's May yet, and since we still can't travel from one province to another, there won't be crowds next week. The tourism industry is trying to revive itself. But, unless massive visits are coming in, many hotels and tourism-driven businesses will close. What gets ...

The drizzly, misty, miserable rain has reappeared during the night. I'm sure it was brought on by my having left the car windows open about three fingers, after forgetting to open them earlier in the week, when it was warmer and dryer. I closed them this morning, so now the rain shouldn't return. Next Monday, most of Spain will pass on to Phase Two. That means that you can sit inside a restaurant or bar, though only at a table, not at the bar; that you can go to the movies, but you have to sit in a pre-asigned seat; that stores greater than 400 square meters can open, including malls, but common areas cannot be occupied (the seats at the mall will be roped off); and that very small weddings can be held. I can't really imagine attending a wedding during this time, though I assume there will be some. Imagine wearing a mask during the ceremony and at the reception. The pictures would be unique. Though, with the food and the wine, I'm certain the masks will be put aside...

I didn't go walking today. I woke up very tired and with a slight headache. I don't really know why; I slept very deeply, only skimming the waking surface a couple of times without really breaking through. But, I've been walking almost every day for the past three weeks or so. One day off won't matter. Not that I can weigh myself. Though I think it's better that way, until I try on last summer's tightest shorts. Otherwise, I might get too depressed. I've always weighed myself on the local pharmacy's scales, but it's been turned off since this shindig began, and it probably won't be turned on until everything is back and running. Today is the first day of obligatory mask wearing. The only exceptions are if you're prone to anxiety attacks, have respiratory illnesses that make breathing with them difficult, or are under six years of age. Runners and cyclists are also not obliged to wear one. I may not go running every morning, but my walk is...

Summer seems to have arrived this week. Temperatures have gone up to close to 80º/27º. It's becoming a good idea to wear shorts and open windows. Already after my morning walk, I'm overheated, and thinking about going out earlier, to avoid the strengthening sun. Strawberries are already past their prime. A month ago, I could buy them and they would last two days. Now, they have to be eaten the same day they're bought. Watermelons have begun to arrive, as well as apricots. Plums are making an appearance, but they have no flavor, yet.  The greens of early spring have amalgamated into a uniform green with stray yellows from left-over broom blossoms. The woods begin to smell of pine needles and eucalyptus leaves in the warm afternoons. Nature continues down the year. Human nature continues, too. At the height of the lockdown, everyone was certain that this would change us. We were certain that solidarity and respect for others would become the new normal. The young people...

Since yesterday, I didn't finish getting everything I needed, and even added to the list, I will go out this afternoon. Yes, I'm feeling masochistic, going out in summery afternoon weather with a mask. They are going to make wearing a mask obligatory in closed public spaces and in open spaces if two feet cannot be kept between people. So, as soon as you set foot on the sidewalk, you'll need to wear a mask now. Yes, I will probably forego leaving the house a lot this summer. Not even to buy clothes.  These two months have widened my girth, which is very slowly declining again through walking. So, I have t-shirts that don't fit me, and t-shirts that have acquired strange stains after having been folded and not touched during the winter. Perhaps I will have faith in my walking ability, not bother to replace the stained ones, and just make do this year. If I'm not going to go out much, it won't matter. While I am not a beach bunny, there are summer days when s...

Despite my firmest intentions of not going out as often as before, I had to go out this morning. And I'm starting to think that if we can get along without stuff, I won't mind at all. After waking up late again this morning (I'm going to have to set the alarm, the morning sun on my face isn't doing its job.), I went walking. I am now up to an hour, though today it took a little longer because I was tired for some reason. After I showered, it was almost eleven. I figured I had enough time to go to Boiro to quickly get the three or four things I hadn't bought on Saturday, stop at the pharmacy to pick up my allergy pills (not a good idea to go around with a runny nose these days), and be home in time to make lunch for one o'clock.  Uh uh, nope. Everyone wants to go on errands in the morning. That means that, with diminished capacity in every store, lines form outside on the sidewalk with people waiting their turn to enter. I stood in line at the supermarket. I ...

After two months, I finally returned to my weekly Saturday shopping in Boiro.  At times, it even seemed like a normal day. There were plenty of people, but not overmuch, like a slow Saturday in the summer, when most people are at the beach. I found most of what I wanted, but some things are still out of stock. I wonder if some products will ever come back.  Some stores are still closed, like Merkal shoe store, and the Chinese bazaars, probably because they measure more than 400 square meters. Until Phase Two, only small stores are allowed to open, to give the small business owners a respite.  About three bars near the market place had their tables out. To my eye, there wasn't two meters between the tables, nor did there seem to be less people than at other times. Some of the tables were occupied, and the gregarious nature of Spanish conversations made it seem like the terrace was filled with a lot of people. Some wore masks, others didn't. I wore one. I hate the d...

The days continue, sunlight dancing on our eyes, wind blowing through the crannies, swirling the leaves upside down. Days that seem normal now, until we step somewhere that used to be teeming with people living their normal lives. Now, they stay apart and wear masks, swerving to avoid others.  Days continue with meals being made and eaten. Simple meals, usually, unless I feel inspired and want to spend time in the kitchen, concentrating on cobbling together something more exotic. Or I'm forced to do so on specific days, such as Christmas. Generally, I'm too impatient and get too hungry, so I go for the faster meals. Our daughter is a vegetarian and, during the lockdown, sometimes sent us photos and videos of her making her lunch. She told us she made a rice to die for and that she would make it for us when she came home. She did so yesterday evening. Mine she made with little salt, plenty of hot pepper, coloring, bay leaves, and garlic. Her father's was the same, exce...

Yesterday afternoon, not even twenty-four hours after getting tested, my daughter got a call. She is negative for Covid-19. She simply had a little spring cold. With this virus, every little sniffle becomes suspect, and we tend to forget that other illnesses, much more benign, still exist and infect us. So, she has now fully installed herself in the house. My solitary days are over.  Life is slowly getting back into its regular grooves. Now that we can move a bit more, I am going to go back to shopping on Saturday afternoons in the next township, where there are some supermarket chains I frequent that don't exist in my township. But I will still try to stock up to not have to run out in the middle of the week. I don't want to be exposed to many people without any reason yet, even though the number of infected is going down in our region.  I am also getting back into the groove of moving my body every morning. Last week I went walking for a half hour almost every day. Thi...