Lockdown en mi Pueblo Periana
Lake Vinuela view from Periana village part of Axarquia region of Andalucia province.
(all page images from my mobile phone)
Periana lockdown
I believe that many of us have seen the pictures and films from large cities around the world facing lockdown during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Empty streets, boarded up shops, people with facemasks, social distancing and so on. I am one of just over 3,000 people who are fortunate enough to live in a Spanish Village, surrounded by a mountainous, beautiful countryside, dotted with white spots (houses or even small hamlets) here and there.
The Lockdown
From middle March, April and even some days in May the weather helped us a lot to stay at home during the lockdown. Grey clouds and many rainy days and a few days with a partly blue sky. However, the clouds were not far away.
Spain was early on, together with Italy the worst coronavirus affected country.
The strict restriction was implemented and the social life in our village disappeared overnight.
Periana Town
Supermarkets had restricted opening hours, and we were not allowed to visit other villages.
Our local pharmacy was open and our post office was open for three days a week and we had really grey and rainy days.
The village spirit lived on though, contributions to food packs were organised by the town hall staff along with other communal help activities.
Many if not most of us became TV addicts, occasionally we read a book, used the internet for hours and filled our remaining hours with social media, to keep us updated with our families and friends nearby and further around the globe.
Arriving or departing Periana
If you came from outside our village, (deliveries, etc) measures were introduced to protect us from the virus spreading into our lives.
On the main road, a “goalpost” was erected with the spraying of disinfectant to ensure that all arriving vehicles were cleansed of any virus contamination and no risks are taken, departing vehicles were sprayed as well.
Visiting Periana
If you got up early and went into the main streets of Periana you had to get out of the way of the many vehicles spraying the roads, walls, dustbins benches and handrails.
Many of you reading this post may consider this to be a little over the top, but for us, it became more of a symbol of safety that our town hall introduced to protect us.
After 8 weeks the restriction eased in various phases. We are now in phase 3 and the spray has dried up.
En mi Pueblo Periana
The “deserted” streets of ‘mi pueblo’ Periana came more to life from the middle of May.
Our social life changed slowly, but the social distancing remains as well as the requirement to use a face mask in public places.
On one sunny Monday morning I enjoyed my first cup of coffee at Verdugo’s (local bar with an outside terrace) strict social distancing between tables for max 4 people. We all cheered up each other and made sure that all was well with families and closer friends.
I personally believe whatever “hardship” the lock down gave us, it was implemented for the wellbeing of all of us and congratulations to all living in Periana for the successful outcome, 2 people suspected (unconfirmed) infected, that’s all.
Phase two
Even well into phase 2 of the lockdown, the authorities in Periana continued with disinfecting and cleaning the streets daily, good for them.
Applause to the visitors queuing outside the pharmacy. (image below) for their social distancing and face masks.
June 2020
Today life is more or less normal, we all enjoy the present given freedom, but at the same time we are all wary of the existence of the coronavirus and to stay safe is now more of a daily routine than a written restriction in our lives.
I am sure I wash my hands more times every day now than I ever had done before.
Torre del Mar Visit June 2020
We are still not able to visit other provinces in Spain, but we are at present allowed to visit other parts of Andalucia.
I and many of us, more mature people can also do walks and enjoy our lovely countryside and occasionally a visit to Torre del Mar for a Chiringuito visit and the visitor prepared beach where even the flagpoles follow the “social distance”.
