Sunday 15 March 2020

Sorry, we are closed

A very empty island

Yesterday cafeterias, tavernas and bars had till 5pm to close up and put away chairs and tables.  There is a fine of 5,000 euros for those that remain open.  



Our favourite waterfront cafe the 'green chairs' is deserted, though still selling take-away coffee.  Take away food and drink can still be sold but no-one is allowed to sit down

Our supermarkets still have toilet paper and yesterday did a roaring trade.  From today no more than 5 people can shop at one time, depending on the size of the shop of course and there must be 2 metres at least between each person at the check-out


We had to go to a family funeral yesterday.  There was not a huge crowd.  Half were inside and half outside.  The brother of the deceased came from Athens and wore a mask inside the church.  He took it off when he got outside and started shaking people's hands.  He obviously hadn't grasped the seriousness of the situation  especially as he is of a 'certain age' himself and his wife is in bad health.  I  hope they are both ok.  

Just a further note on the funeral.  We all went down to the graveyard and then waited half an hour while the grave was widened.  The coffin wouldn't fit in!

There was no social coffee and liqueur afterwards.

Now we are truly isolated.  Just K and I.  Till when?  Well after easter I imagine.






An empty waterfront

Many greeks still haven't quite  grasped the 'stay at home' part of it.  The government had to close organised beaches and ski centres.  With nothing else to do people were flocking to both.  Where else are the beaches and the ski slopes working at the same time? 

Today the public beaches had a few too many people and tv news was showing crowds of Athenians out for a walk in the parks.  

We have to have someone to tell us over and over again 'stay at home' does not mean meeting friends in someone's home for beers and pizza, gathering in the parks to watch the children play, sitting outside gossiping with neighbours.  It means 'stay at home' and away from other human beings.  It's going to be a while before it all sinks right in.

That means not going to church either.  And holy water will not protect you from the virus

16 comments:

  1. I think it seems too surreal for most people to believe what is actually happening. I can't quite believe it myself. Is it really as bad as they say or is it just another bug that we will all catch and then get over? Until it affects somebody directly, I expect most people will carry on as usual.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That seems to be the case, mostly. Our kids have made sure we did our shopping and are geared up for at least 2 weeks isolation. It is not so hard to do where we are. We live in isolation anyway up in the hills

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    2. My question, why didn't people all do wise preparation, before now?????

      Because they did not think it would happen???

      What were they waiting for?

      Obviously, for reality to set in.

      -sigh-

      Stay wise.
      Stay calm.
      Stay safe.
      Courage!
      🍃🌷🌱🌷🍃

      Delete
  2. A baseball player, who was honored recently, has a home in FL, but he and his family live in Italy now. Obviously they did not go back.

    Was interesting, what he said... In Italy, schools were closed, but .. People kept gathering in the city squares, (evening I think). And it spread.

    Greece is being wise. It is terribly disruptive of life there, as in Italy. But wise, for a short term.

    Thank you for continuing to post!!!!!!!

    Stay wise.
    Stay calm.
    Stay safe.
    Courage!
    🍃🌷🌱🌷🍃

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll still be posting. Still lots to write about and I can no longer say I haven't got the time

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Guess we'll be doing lots of gardening and cleaning up the house. Anything to pass the weeks!

      Delete
  4. There was an announcement about an hour ago that all schools are closed in our province indefinitely, probably until September! Just about all places where people gather are closed. Lots of parents scrambling tonight I'll bet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was a problem here. Who looks after the children. One working parent was allowed leave till the schools go back. Not going to be easy for many.

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  5. I shall be going shopping this morning. I plan to be there at opening time, 8.30 am, and hope to find it empty. I wouldn't normally go, but I need a few essentials. After today we will only shop locally, once a week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes we will still need fresh fruit and vegetables though we do have oranges and lemon trees. K has taken over the bread making.

      Delete
  6. NZ is closed, Australia not far behind. Time to catch up on old TV movies and shows, eat chips and drink wine for 2 weeks (or more?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. More I should think but we will take it one week at a time. I should think Easter will be cancelled!

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    2. We have been told even now that Easter is cancelled. Don't worry the whole of Greece will smell of bbqed lamb the day after the quarantine is lifted and there will be music and dancing!

      Delete
  7. They just don’t get it
    And according to one of the priests holly water will kill the germs. Ummm really. No it won’t seriously

    ReplyDelete