Spanish views from a small town

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...

We live in extraordinarily selfish times, it seems. While humankind is generally selfish (we are animals, after all), our success as a species is based on being unselfish. When we help others, we are really helping ourselves. The current situation is an example. When we stay home to prevent contagion from happening, we are staying free from contagion, as well. Tell that it to the non-brainers holding rallies in some American states.  It seems that some right-wing bolt nuts in Democratic-run states that have lockdowns, consider those lockdowns go against their basic freedoms. They have gathered in close proximity, calling for their states to re-open. Some of them are saying Covid-19 is a hoax, and a way for Democrats to "seize" power. Yet, they are wearing masks and gloves. Why? Is it like when a student studies the night before the exam, yet he also takes a rabbit foot with him to class?  The United States Supreme Court has ruled upon free speech, saying that it can only ...

This afternoon I decided to go up to the plateau formed by the hills that bisect our little peninsula. I haven't been up there in over a year and I had a yearning for a little solitude with the only sound of the wind and distant mooing of cows.  The road up goes through a lookout point that overlooks all the Ría de Arousa, the bay that reaches inland where I live. When I got to the top it was wall-to-wall cars. None were local. Okay, not here. I continued along the road until the asphalt ran out and it became dirt and gravel. If our cars could talk about all the places we've put them through, they would shame a four-wheel drive. But the road is still quite good for a ways into the plateau.  No dice. Solitude? In August? The tourists that weren't at the beach were all up there. Walking along the road. Hunkered in cars under pine trees. Throwing a frisbee to a dog next to a pristine stream. I decided to turn around and head home. Next month is my vacation month and I can ...