10 Friday Jul 2020
Posted in casa azahar, home, homecooking, sevilla
What kind of idiot BAKES durning the hottest week of the year?? Um… that would be me. I reckoned once it’s 43º the kitchen isn’t about to get any hotter. I’ve been hooked on bouikos since the first time I made them last month, and this was my third attempt. Damn they’re good. Easy to make too. You can find the recipe in my kitchen. 🙂
09 Thursday Jul 2020
Posted in sevilla
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I have been watching Covid developments in Catalunya and the Baleares with interest, as they have recently made mask-wearing mandatory EVERYWHERE outside your home (exceptions: at the beach or pool, doing outdoor sports) and am hoping that Andalucía will follow suit without first waiting for infections to rise, which is likely now that our borders are open again and there is no test & trace programme in operation.
The thing is, as time goes on people are becoming more relaxed about this virus that nobody actually knows much about, not even the experts. And many of these deniers have decided to cherry pick the “expert information” they read or hear about, according to what they want to believe, and accept it as fact. And then expect everyone else to agree with them.
Me, on the other hand, prefer to go by information that is at least backed up by some scientific evidence. I do admit I am often looking for information that will back up my own (sometimes? often?) unpopular opinion – that there is no fucking way we are in the clear yet. Simply because I am often being made to feel ridiculous for continuing to be so careful. For me the biggest mistake made so far by the Spanish government (after not shutting down soon enough) has been reopening the borders immediately after lockdown was lifted, without any sort of test & trace programme, really without any plan other than take temps at the airport. EVERYONE knows by now that many people with Covid don’t have fevers, many don’t present at all, but they are still infectious carriers. Meanwhile other people could have a fever for other innocuous reasons, like having their periods. What is needed is a Covid test upon arrival, and seclusion until results arrive. For starters.
08 Wednesday Jul 2020
Posted in casa azahar, hair, lockdown, sevilla, welcome
Today was the day! My first post-lockdown haircut (last one was on February 20th in case you want to know). Anyhow, my hair was well below my shoulders, something I don’t think has happened since I was in my twenties. And although I dyed it at home last month it was really in need of a trim. But even with hair salons taking precautions I was a bit put off with the idea of sitting in a room with blowdried air flying all around the place.
But then today I was on my way home from a couple of meetings (more on those later) and when I passed by my hairdresser’s there was nobody inside! So I took advantage of the moment, got a quick cut, told my guy I would let it air dry on the way home, and that was that. So I guess I’m good now until October. 🙂
07 Tuesday Jul 2020
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More Ennio Morricone from Cinema Paradiso… a montage of all the kisses that were cut out of film scenes by the fervent village priest, later spliced together for an unforgettable cinematic moment (floods of tears every time I watch it).
Life without kisses…
And I’m not talking about romantic kisses, though I do miss those too. The other day someone mentioned on Twitter that one of the BEST THINGS to come out of Covid was that she would no longer have to go through the trauma and social awkwardness of having to greet people with the Spanish “air kiss” on two cheeks. I should point out that she is British living in Spain, so the whole kissing thing has never felt natural to her. Then other Britsh expats chimed in saying much the same thing. Not me though.
I LOVE kissing everyone I meet! For me this is one of the BEST THINGS about living in Spain and very sadly for me it has come to a stop, at least for the foreseeable future. Though I have seen people in the street greeting friends with kisses, and even removing masks to do so. It’s like they can’t help it. For me it’s always been more awkward when someone sticks out their hand for me to shake. Like, eeeeeeewwww… I have no idea where that hand has been. Because let’s face it, a cheek is not going to come into physical contact with as many gross options as a hand does throughout the day.
How are you greeting people these days?
01 Wednesday Jul 2020
Posted in casa azahar, home, sevilla, welcome
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Well this is exciting! I have lights in my bathroom again. Brand new LED nice bright white ones. This was a bit of a saga because one of the old ones burnt out (or so I thought) quite some time ago. I tried changing the bulb but it still wouldn’t work, so my landlord sent over his handyman and I was told the connector needed replacing and he’d be back. As I say, that was awhile ago, and then one by one the bulbs started dying, until I only had two left. I thought that at this rate I’d soon by showering by candlelight.
Pablito had said he would change them for me (he had already come over to fix a faulty socket that had blown up my hairdryer) but then LOCKDOWN happened. Anyhow, today was finally the day and my landlord once again sent Antonio (AKA Tony Black Hands) to replace all the lights. I was concerned that he wasn’t wearing a mask, but he did take off his shoes as requested, and I kept my distance (and then spent two hours disinfecting the bathroom). I guess because there’s not much else going on I am feeling way too thrilled about having new lights. And tomorrow I will paint the bathroom ceiling because, well, Tony Black Hands.
Also just signed a new contract for Casa Azahar, so I am really feeling safe and happy in my lovely home. Except now I need 😎 to go into the bathroom.
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