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~ my life in sevilla

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Author Archives: azahar

born to be mild

02 Friday Apr 2021

Posted by azahar in sevilla, weird

≈ 1 Comment

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sevilla

If you ask me, aside from this being whatever the hell it is, there are also a disturbing number of headlights.

the ladies

01 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by azahar in sevilla

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semana santa, sevilla

So this didn’t happen last year because during Semana Santa we were on total lockdown and only allowed to go out to buy food, or go to the pharmacy. We weren’t even allowed out for walks (unless you owned a dog). Very strict times. And how soon we forget. This year Semana Santa has also been “cancelled” in terms of processions but the churches are open for people who want to visit their favourite images, etc.

Are people happy about this? Are they fuck. Everyone is still complaining about how they are “losing” yet another Semana Santa and – since they’ve been “allowed” by our idiot regional government – are flocking EVERYWHERE all dressed up and not giving a shit about anyone else. There have been massive queues (no social distancing) outside the churches, restaurants and bars are heaving, with still too many people not wearing them properly. Fourth wave, here we come!

Me? I went out for a walk, dodging the crowds, hoping for a photo or two of The Ladies who wear black dresses and mantillas on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, in mourning for Christ. Usually I find little clusters of them but this time just spotted a couple of couples. But that was good enough for me and, after a (socially distanced) tapas snack and a beer, went home again.

stepping up

31 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by azahar in sevilla, spain

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fitness, steps, walks

I don’t remember when I stopped my (almost) daily walks, but it’s been a long time. And looking back, I have no idea why I stopped. Because of winter? I dunno. But last week when I ended up doing over 14,000 steps (while going that extra mile for Happy Hour 2 for 1 pisco sours at Lima) I realised how it good it felt to walk that much. And so I’ve started up again with (almost) daily walks of (almost) 10,000 steps. I can mostly avoid contact with people, unless I stop for a cold beer or to pick something up at the supermarket, so it’s not really like “going out” and I still feel like I’m staying safe. Anyhow, it’s been a week and it feels good. I hope I can keep it up. 🤞

worse than useless

30 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by azahar in coronavirus, covid, sevilla

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

coronavirus, covid, sevilla

I am honestly sick and tired of asshole mask wearers. You know the ones. The mask is on, but slipped under the nose (and sometimes chin) or the mask is being worn on the wrist or elbow because… well, asshole. Since last summer in Spain masks have been mandatory everywhere inside and outside, with 100€ fines for not complying. So I’m a bit confused by a recent “new” ruling this week saying masks have to be worn EVERYWHERE outdoors, because I thought we were already doing that.

It started off last spring with masks only being required inside shops, restaurants, offices, etc as long as people respected the 2 metre social distancing measure. AS fucking IF. Of course they didn’t. Nobody did. So that’s why last August they extended mandatory masks to EVERYWHERE. That’s why I don’t understand what is different about this week’s announcement.

Meanwhile… there are also too many of these shitty masks being worn (see above), especially in bars and restaurants. I understand the attraction as they are reusable and washable (up to 20 washings) and come in different colours with the business logo on them. BUT THEY NEVER FIT. Maybe they do when they are brand new, but aside from not fitting and slipping down noses, they’re not even effective. No three layers, no filter, just a piece of cloth. So basically useless.

I have seen bars that have their waiters wear a surgical mask underneath these vanity ones, and that is perfect. I just wish every place was being as responsible, because as “numbers” (sickness, deaths) continue to rise here – and they are rising – it won’t be long before the fourth wave hits us and non-essential businesses have to close again. And the ones who will complain the most are the ones who didn’t follow the rules.

one day at a time

29 Monday Mar 2021

Posted by azahar in life stuff

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

life stuff

one day

One of those days of going through the motions, trying to care, trying to not panic, feeling like a failure at everything. There’s a heaviness about everything I try to do, or even think about doing, so then I just can’t. Do anything.

The last time I honestly opened up and told a friend how I was feeling on a bad day like this – last summer – their reply was that I should seek professional help. Clearly “bad day Shawn” isn’t someone anyone wants to know about, or even know, as this person no longer speaks to me.

So then I push myself to go for a walk because fresh air helps. Moving helps.

And then I run into an acquaintance who asks how I am. And I give the same reply I now give to everyone. The one they want to hear. The one that doesn’t make them feel uncomfortable or obliged to say or do anything. And I walk away feeling like I dodged a bullet – phew, fooled them! – and then feel more alone than ever. But at least they’ll talk to me next time I see them.

Anyhow, I don’t expect a reply to this, because that wasn’t the point of writing it, let alone publishing it. It’s part of what I do here on this blog, just sometimes writing things down so I will remember how I felt or what I did at a given point in time. It’s also for those of you who I’ve never met but for some reason you read this blog and occasionally you tell me that I’ve said things that reflect how you are feeling, or what you’re going through, and that that was enough. To know you’re not alone. Well guess what? That works both ways. Because I know you’ll understand this. xx

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