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one down…
14 Monday Jun 2021
Category Archives: sevilla
staying masked up
09 Wednesday Jun 2021
Posted in coronavirus, covid, sevilla, spain
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There’s been some talk about Spain removing the mask mandate soon, but only when outside and while maintaining a social distance of 2 metres. We’ll still have to wear masks indoors. And all I have to say to that is – HA YEAH RIGHT. Well okay, that’s obviously not all I have to say, so here goes.
I’m the first person who would love to not wear these fucking masks any more, I find it very hard to breathe with them on and can sometimes get panicky to the point of having a tachycardia episode… but these fucking masks have helped keep us safe over this past year and a bit. There’s no doubt they work and, although I am leaning towards believing the science about the virus being less contagious outdoors, I am not about to suddenly start believing in humans.
a dangerous woman
08 Tuesday Jun 2021
Posted in friends, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars
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You wouldn’t know it to look at this innocent smiling face but make no mistake, this woman is pure danger. Or else it’s me who’s dangerous? WHATEVER… it turns out that whenever Reyes Morales and I get together we have, well, a lot of fun. Which usually means we not only end up having a lot of wine, but also lots of laughs, while sharing food and stories and just enjoying our “girl time”. This time we were trying out a new seafood tapas bar next to the Plaza Alfalfa, and I honestly couldn’t ask for a better Tapas Research partner, especially because she owns her own tapas bar and knows what’s what. But mostly it’s just so much fun being with her and I always leave Reyes’ company feeling happy and energised. And it occurs to me – and not for the first time – that this is how one should always feel after spending time with a friend.
corpus christi remembered
03 Thursday Jun 2021
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Yeah, you all know I’m not religious, but I do love art and beauty and they always come together on celebrations like Corpus Christi in Sevilla. This is the second year the procession has been suspended due to Covid, and I find this is the one I miss the most. I miss getting up way too early to get out there before everyone arrives and walk the route freshly strewn with rosemary and flower petals, and look at all the decorated windows, balconies and altars that line the route.
Anyhow, I’ve been posting my Corpus photos here for many years (have only had to miss 2 or 3) and so, if you’re interested, here’s a link to them… Corpus Christi Sevilla.
it ain’t over…
02 Wednesday Jun 2021
Posted in coronavirus, covid, sevilla, spain
While I wait for my second jab of Astrazeneca I am maintaining my STAY AS CAREFUL AS POSSIBLE stance because, well, why wouldn’t I? Gotta admit it’s hard though, and it gets tougher all the time. I miss seeing friends, and travelling, and I MISS HUGS. With things “opening up” the past couple of months I’ve still had to tell visiting friends that I can’t meet up with them, and I have also had to turn down invitations to media events for gastronomy & wine stuff and restaurant openings. Today was particularly disappointing because I’ve been looking forward to this one restaurant opening for AGES and then had to decline the invite for the big opening media dinner tomorrow. It’s even worse with friends because I worry that I am making them feel like lepers. But I just can’t.
Steeling my resolve was finding out yesterday that a friend of mine in Sevilla (40-something) has caught Covid from their partner who was working out of town… they are now both sick as dogs. Partner has had one vaccination shot. Which not only still left this person open to catching the virus but also to passing it on. Yikes.
The news about all the recent more contagious variants leaves me boggled as to why Spain is opening up to tourists who will arrive here untested and unvaccinated. Further away, Las Vegas has totally reopened, just like before, with no masks or social distancing required in their packed casinos. Meanwhile, even further away, Melbourne is tracking and tracing everyone possibly responsible for the recent outbreak of… 12 people. Fuck, we had 400 new cases just last Saturday and I doubt anyone is tracking them. There is no continuity here.
It’s basically a global shit show with some countries doing better than others. I don’t think we are doing that well in Spain, though I do appreciate the continued mask mandate. Once that’s gone we’re fucked, it will be like opening the coronavirus floodgates. Because we still need to get through not only this “experimental” summer (we’re all guinea pigs folks), but also regular flu season next winter, combined with the new Covid variants. There’s already talk of booster Covid shots next November.
I am tentatively thinking about day trips to Jerez and Cádiz in August, by train. And maybe a longer visit to my beloved Málaga in September. I haven’t been on any sort of public transit since March 2020. In Sevilla I have taken maybe 3-4 taxis for hospital appointments, always with the windows rolled down. Otherwise I walk.
Sometimes it feels like all my efforts are in vain when I see so many people flouting the rules and, generally, being selfish assholes. But I can only do as much as I can do. And so I keep doing it, no matter how many times I’m criticised for being a “Debbie Downer”. Because really, I just prefer being alive, and helping you stay alive too. xx
