August 21, 2020
Wowzer! When the quarantine started just a few months ago, I, like a lot of people thought it would blow over pretty quickly and since we weren’t doing any traveling, I revived the podcast interviews that l had started five years ago. 20 weekly episodes in, no end in sight for the pandemic, and with still no foreseeable travel, Here is an update of the new normal life in Valencia and the changes forthcoming.
New Normal Life In Valencia Spain:
I am enjoying doing the podcasts a lot, and l intend to do more. At the same time, I realize that l might be confusing folks who come to the blog looking for our travel stories. The reality is that travel is the farthest thing from our minds right now. If it happens anytime soon, it will be weekend trips close to home and we will take the dogs with us.
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Travel slowly picking up:
I have slowly seen travel stories gaining steam on my social pages. Slowly, but surely, people are starting to head out again, virus be damned. I am not going to start a debate on what side is right or wrong as I was pretty cynical in the beginning too, and we barely made it out of Italy before the lockdown. I think we are all capable of making our own decisions. We just choose to stay put. Road trips seem to be the latest way to travel. I certainly agree that it helps with social distancing.
Staying put of course doesn’t necessarily mean you’re immune from catching covid. I lost one of my cousins to this disease on my birthday a few days ago. She was healthy as a horse and had stayed home since the lockdown. An asymptomatic worker must have brought it into the house. It’s a luxury being able to stay home in Nigeria as a lot of people are dying of hunger instead and must work to afford food. No solution in sight. The world is in for a lot of hurt.
Our new normal daily life:
Our day to day routine is pretty dull. Aside from our morning walks, and the dog walks, plus visits to the grocery store, we try and stay in as much as possible. We have ventured out to restaurants a few times with friends or by ourselves, but we much prefer to stay in and have started having friends come over again for lunch/dinner and small gatherings (something we have always loved doing). To be honest, it doesn’t seem that much of a departure from our lives previously. We like staying in and the restaurant scene was never a huge part of our lives when we are home.
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Eyeing my new “precious”:
As most long time readers of the blog know, I have had my iMac since 2006 (really!) and it’s about to give up the ghost. It’s had two hard drives replacement in that time period. It’s time to move on as it is now a dinosaur.
I have been lusting for the new 27 inch iMac 2020 which will have a bigger screen than my current 24 inches one. If it lasts me another 14 years, I’ll be extremely happy. Yes, I know it’s a lot of money, and l could get a Windows-based computer for much less, but the heart wants what it wants. I am just waiting for the last breath, which will be here sooner than later.
Once the lockdown ended at the beginning of July, the government gave control back to the provinces to monitor the covid cases. There is an upward trend in the numbers that are disconcerting enough for them to shut down cities/towns with breakouts as they occur.
Changes for Spain as a whole:
- Masks are compulsory everywhere.
- Gatherings are now limited to ten people again.
- No smoking outdoors either if the social distancing can not be met. People had of course been taking advantage of the loophole. It kind of sucks for smokers, but l can’t say l don’t love that!
- Nightclubs are dead for now. A lot of infections have been traced back to young adults partying. First, they had reduced the hours of operation, and when that didn’t work, they are now to be shut, along with discos and dancing venues.
- No more Botéllons. This practice is very common with young kids in Spain, and we first encountered it in Seville. They gather in parks, parking lots, etc with huge bottles of beer and hard liquor and just drink themselves into a stupor. My thought is that some do it to get their buzz on before going to clubs so it’s a cheaper night out. A liter of beer costs anywhere from 65 cents to €1 :-).
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Each province is supposed to implement these steps as they see fit. What l find concerning is that when they shut cities, you are forbidden from leaving the area, which means it is quite possible to be within Spain, and still “stuck” somewhere. Technically, you are allowed to go back to your home, but sometimes you encounter the hardass cops who seem to make up their own rules. No thanks!
To makes matters worse, a number of European countries such as Germany, the U.K, and Norway are now imposing a 10-14 day quarantine on people who have visited Spain upon their return back home. I have mentioned before that l think the borders were open too soon, especially to places like the U.K who were lax with their shutdown. Now, it’s come back to bite them in the butt. The money grab was too strong. We might be headed for that second wave.
There are some demonstrations scheduled to protest the crackdown. At this point, I don’t know what to think, but l can’t help thinking it might be a way not to have to pay back all the funds received from the E.U. Like “see, we need this money, look at all the new cases! boohoo!!!. They had previously stopped reporting cases.
Seeing things clearly:
I had mentioned my bad eyesight a while ago. It indeed turned out to be cataracts (when did l get that old? 🙂 ). Long story short, my right eye is as good as new, and l am scheduled for the other cataract surgery in September when the clinic reopens post-vacation. Another reason to stay in as a covid test is necessary before any surgery. If you’re curious as to how much we pay monthly for our medical insurance, the service we have received so far when seeking care, and how much my copay was for the surgery, check out this video l did which tells you all about that, and then some :-).
Podcasts:
More than likely, podcasts will now going forward, be available on the podcast page on this blog which can be found here.
You can, of course, find the show on:
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It’s also available on other listening platforms like Deezer, Listen notes and a bunch of others. You can subscribe so as not to miss any episodes. To everyone far and near listening, I thank you very much. A lot of weeks, I find the podcast in the top 100 of a bunch of countries, like Canada, Sweden, and South Africa, it once cracked the top 150 in the States in its category, so yeah!
I hope everyone is having a good summer so far, and trying their best to keep healthy. Are you doing any traveling right now? Or are you staying put like we are?
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Hola Kemkem, great to read the update on your life. Here, on the outskirts of Valencia in Quart de Poblet, life is a little bit more normal and the police not as intrusive. I have also traveled to the US in early June, to Vienna, Austria last week and numerous other side trips in between within Spain without any issues. Stay safe and hopefully I will get to see you in the near future.
Hola Kris! Long time no hear. I’m so glad all is going well. Did you have to move classes online? It’s a strange normal to me like something is missing. I’m glad your U.S. trip went smoothly. I admit l don’t have the nerves or the patience for that kind of trip right now. We pushed back our visit to at least next year, maybe even the one after. No hurry. Vienna is one of my favorite cities ever, so l am looking forward to hearing all about your trip very soon. Let’s get together yeah..yeah..yeah! :-).
Yes, after the second week of March all classes moved online. What that meant was the lessons were posted on a web page which can then be downloaded by the parents/students. Once they finished the homework/test they would upload for the teachers to grade. There wasn’t really any actual teaching using videoconferencing.
Schools will reopen on Sept. 7th and the tentative plans are to teach in person. However, the teaches are still waiting for guidance from the Ministry regarding safety protocols. In general, most teachers, parents, the Ministry and even probably the majority of students want the schools to reopen.
Oh l see. Our teacher contacted us and said she was bored at home and if anyone wanted to continue the Spanish classes via zoom, we could. About 6 of us took her up on the offer and it was great. We are scheduled to come back September also as of now, but who knows. Just like you, she says they are still looking for guidance. Interesting times for sure :-).
Hi Kem, thanks for the update. I have thoroughly enjoyed your expat podcasts but it’s nice to hear about your life in the present. We are still being diligent about social isolation but we did venture out about two weeks ago for a short road trip to the west coast of Florida. It was only for three nights, but honestly, I’m not sure it’s worth it. Wearing a mask and trying to avoid people just isn’t in the ‘spirit’ of what travel should be and it sucked the joy right out of it. People in the US continue to politicize the pandemic in every way possible. Selfishness is at an all-time high. I sincerely hope someone develops a vaccine soon and we can all get back to life. P.S. That paella looks mighty tasty!
Hi Suzanne, I’m so glad to hear from you and thankful that you are doing well. Like you, I find the necessary things to do in order to travel is a bit chaotic and doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun. I read about Americans trying to sneak into Canada and Europe and l just laugh… like is it really that serious? For sure, we have become a bunch of namby-pambys. To make this pandemic political is just mind-blowing! What the heck happened to us as humans, and caring for others? I too, look forward to being able to get out and about without worries, but for sure not till after l do my second cataract. I’d like to get it over with. Thanks for the compliment, glad you are enjoying the podcasts, and stay safe.
Greetings from Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico!
So glad to have your update on Valencia.
Since our escape from the States on July 1 we have been settling in to our leased home. People are moving about after 2 months of lock-down, but with much caution. Social distancing and wearing of masks is common. Cases in the state still grow, mostly in the capitol of Guadalajara, but deaths are steadily, slowly decreasing. The Jalisco government is doing a great job despite the national government lagging far behind (much like the US).
I am on a (mostly) cooking sabbatical so we walk to local restaurants for most meals. Seating is limited due to social distancing requirements. One steps on a disinfecting mat at entry (just in case one has picked up virus on the bottoms of shoes), temperature is taken and hands must be sanitized before being seated. Only then can one remove masks. All the staff (on the floor and in the kitchen) are wearing masks and gloves.
Overall we feel much, much safer (health-wise, politically and physically safer) than in the States. It appears we will not be traveling internationally for many, many months. So we are happy to stay in Mexico for the duration but still look forward to the day we can go elsewhere.
BTW, we have arranged for our ballots to be shipped DHL to us and we will return then via DHL to our US address; then they will be hand delivered to the local office to be counted. CANNOT fail to vote in this very critical election cycle!
You guys have been having fun for sure in Mexico. I absolutely love the way you were able to make lemonade out of lemons. Since your plans to Spain/Portugal were scuttled, you pivoted and enjoyed part of the U.S. before getting the hell out of doge, and are now sipping margaritas in the sun.
I love the fact that things are being taken seriously over there too. We don’t have the shoe disinfecting thing here, but hands and masks are a must and the staff all wear masks. It does make you feel safer despite the dry hands :-).
We are taking our ballots to the consulate over here for delivery via diplomatic pouch. The last election, we sent them via FedEx and it was a pretty penny indeed, so l am happy we found out about this option. It is extremely important that all voices be heard. Everyone able to must vote, no standing on the sidelines. It is too crucial.
Nice to hear about what’s going on in Valencia. Yummy pizza!
In BC our coronavirus cases are on the rise. After weeks of less than 20 new cases each day, it’s up around 80 new cases the past couple of weeks. The majority are between the ages of 20 and 40. Party houses. Government is cracking down on parties and police are issuing $2000 fines to the party organizer and if people refuse to leave if the police direct them to, they’ll also be fined. I think they should have begun doing that a long time ago. Fortunately still very few deaths. Could be one or two a week, sometimes even longer between.
I need a new laptop too, even though this is just about 3 years old. Most of mine wear out in the hinges. Nothing wrong with the computer’s operation. I don’t even know why I bother closing the lid when I’m not using it. I stopped doing that a couple of months ago anyway due to the creaking in the hinge and some separation. So I have my eyes out too, hoping to catch a sale later this year. Would even consider the same model. Tech guy at a company I used to work for says if you get 2 years out of a computer you’re doing good, so look how well you’ve done with your old Mac!
The pizza was indeed yummy! 🙂
It’s worrying when the numbers increase. The youth are restless, understandable, but it affects all of us. They are fining them over here too if they don’t obey the rules. The protests are going on, and now those shiska rooms have been ordered closed (not sure if it’s the right spelling), and the people are furious. I remain a bit doubtful about the true intentions of the government.
Two years only for a computer? wow! I have indeed been very lucky then. It is definitely showing its age, no HDMI port, I have a CD drive :-), and man…it wheezes like an old man with asthma. Federico always leaves the computer open too, and it drives me crazy. I like it closed, but in your case, it might be a good thing. Yeah.. I am hoping to get a few bucks off, and hoping this might just make it till a new 21 inch one comes out because it will be cheaper and still have the bells and whistles, only a smaller screen. I can’t complain. It has served me well, Houston to Malta to Spain.
Kemkem, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your cousin due to COVID. Very sad, particularly since she was being so careful. I have enjoyed your short video on health insurance in the US and Spain…the difference is staggering, I am so glad that here in the UK we have such a good NHS and we usually only need health insurance when we travel. Congratulation on your new iMac 2020, and I agree that it is better to get something that you really want, rather than go for the cheapest and regret it later. I love paella… your home version of seafood paella looks delicious.
Thank you Gilda. Yeah.. I hate the fact that no matter what precautions you might take, it’s not always up to you. Thanks for watching the video. It is quite amazing the difference in price, and we marvel at that almost on a daily basis. I can’t wait to purchase the new iMac 2020. This one heaves and takes minutes to load a page. I am just hoping that there is a bit of a discount from Mediamarkt which they do every once in a while. Every day, I’m like hold on there buddy :-). The paella was indeed delicious.. haha!
I am really sorry to hear about your loss, Kemkem! This is what makes us respect this damned virus: while most likely, if you get it, you might not even know you have it, you can also be as healthy as it gets and be destroyed by it. It’s horrible.
Apart from the sad news, I did enjoy reading the update. I am worried that winter will come with an increase in the number of cases, as our immune systems will be weaker. Yet again, with so many colds and the flu incoming, probably more people will go undiagnosed and spread it further. It’s a tricky situation for sure. We also chose to do it your way: stay home as much as possible and wait it out. We haven’t traveled anywhere this year (we had to cancel two trips) and for me it’s pretty difficult as half of me wants to travel. But I know I wouldn’t enjoy it… so for now I am trying to make plans for next year and figure out the safest possible solution to travel.
Congrats on your podcast doing so well! You should definitely stick to doing them! I personally love listening especially since you manage to find some great people to talk to as well. Also, I couldn’t believe that the “dinosaur” is still working. I was sure that you had a 2013 model, but 2006? WOW. People can say anything about Apple, but your iMac is living proof that they’re wrong – even with the 2 hdd changes. If it manages to hold on until Black Friday, maybe you can get the new one at a discount…
Thanks, Calin. It is one of the sucky things about the virus, being asymptomatic and then passing it on to someone else, no matter what precautions the other is taking. They keep talking about the second wave, and that we are already in it. They keep saying no lockdown, but who knows at this point. Since it’s such a novel pandemic, no one really knows. It makes you feel helpless.
Yeah, I think it’s a wise decision to put off traveling, especially with all the rules in place. You nailed it with the “I wouldn’t enjoy it”. I feel exactly the same way. A holiday is meant to be enjoyed, and if l have to worry about outbreaks, masks, even the hotel rooms and precautions they took, then… no thanks. It just isn’t that necessary.
I am definitely loving the podcasts and “talking”… haha.. you know me! So glad you are enjoying listening as well. Ep, the dinosaur was brank new in 2006. We took it with us to Malta in 2013. While doing research on the 2020 version, I see comments like “my ancient 2009” or my long in the tooth 2012 and l just laugh 🙂 :-). I doubt it will hold out that long, but l hope so. THAT would be awesome, to get a little discount.
We are somewhat waiting to see what ‘new normal’ will look like in Greece as it changes sometimes daily or weekly depending on case count but the big reveal comes every two weeks so the next reveal is Aug. 31. We have been allowed to do road trips and did a few before ‘summer’s onslaught of other locals arrived’. We’ve been at home since mid-July. We do find ourselves living in a bubble in our rural village life so we have gone out to dinner at local tavernas and met friends there — always appropriately social distanced. In our area masks must be worn inside eateries, bars and businesses but outside dining is the way we do it here in summer so no problems in dining out. Frankly, it has been too hot to even consider working up the sweat to have friends over to dine . . .maybe September will bring cooler weather and inclination for more socializing at home. We would like to go back to the States this fall, but until we are assured of being able to get back into Greece, we are keeping that one on the back burner.
It’s really frustrating when things change from day to day, isn’t it? It makes planning so difficult. I saw some of your getaways on Fb and they looked great! So glad you were able to beat the crowds. Sorry about your water troubles. A lot of people like to eat outside as well, and the government approved them basically taking over the sidewalks and public areas so as to distance customers. A lot of times, it’s just too much trouble for us to go out to eat, and prefer having friends over, a couple at a time.
I am over the heat already and want fall weather badly. It has even more humid this year. I don’t know, it seems to get more humid in the summer every year now. Global shenanigans. We totally ruled out our trip back to the U.S. for this year once this happened, and part of me thinks it might not happen either next year unless there is a more cohesive understanding and handling of affairs. The new normal indeed!
Stay well! 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear that you have been directly touched by Covid-19 and have lost a family member. Your point about how lucky we are to have the option to protect ourselves by staying at home while so many must risk their safety to find food and support their families is important to keep in mind and makes me feel quite small when I moan about wanting to travel. It’s all a waiting and guessing game at the moment and, like you, I’m keeping close to home, seeing some friends and feeling grateful to be in good heath. I guess the only thing we can know for sure is that “normal” isn’t coming back …
So awesome to read that you are seeing the world afresh and I know how drastic the improvement can be once you’ve had cataract surgery as Dick had it several years ago. He spent weeks and months watching life unfold with a huge grin on his face. Wishing you an uneventful and quick recovery when you have your second eye fixed.
Finally, I’m so pleased to hear that your podcast is reaching so many listeners. You’ve selected many interesting people and I’ve enjoyed all the topics that have been brought up during your conversations. Bravo girlfriend!!
Thanks Anita. It just goes to show that life is short and nothing is a given one more time. It’s important to always take time and thank whatever god you believe in for your good fortune because there are so many, many more that have nothing. I always think “but for the grace of God goes I” whenever l feel like complaining. It shuts me up really fast. Travel definitely takes a backseat for me in the grand scheme of life right now. Health is far too important. I agree that the new normal sucks, but the old one is for sure not coming back in the same way.
It has been “eye-opening” 🙂 since the surgery, and l just had the other four days ago, and it’s healing nicely. Having the checkup done later today. It’s funny to be able to see clearly…haha! I can’t wait to dive into the world of driving again despite the headaches. I didn’t know Dick had the surgery as well. Haha! I can totally picture him after that as l feel the same. I am constantly closing one eye, then the other trying to compare now.
I am always so happy when the podcast charts for the week. It doesn’t happen all the time, but the times it does, it brings a huge smile to my face. I am having fun doing them and will continue :-). Thanks for your constant encouragement.