Since midnight last Saturday, Corralejo, like the rest of the Canary Islands and mainland Spain has been in a state of lockdown. A Royal Decree effectively closed all businesses and now people are only allowed out to get food, go to the bank, pharmacy, visit dependents or to work. Life has become very quiet and simple.
A #lockdown sounds draconian, police-state like, and on paper it is to some extent but in reality it has been fine this week. Its ironic then I’ve been reading a book about a cyclist that defected to West Berlin from the East and the Stasi after they built the Wall in the 60’s but this is nothing like back then thankfully.
Sunday was a weird day, we left out Apartment and everyone was walking around, bemused by it all I think. Roll into Monday and since then we’ve seen the Army and the local Police on the streets, softly enforcing the rules. Politely challenging people where they are going. Walks for leisure stopped. We’ve seen residents sent back home for example.
I had a call from work this week too, advising me my job was at risk of redundancy. Life is one big curveball sometimes
Initially, we were going to the Supermarket together but the Army advised us it was one at a time which was a surreal moment. It was all very cordial but it really struck a chord with me how easy a police-state, curfew, house arrest type scenario would be to invoke and enforce. I think I’m more scared of that concept than the virus itself. So from then on we’ve been popping out individually. Today I had to go to the bank in town to withdraw some cash and I was stopped. I had prepared though. ‘..voy al banco’ and I was allowed to continue.
Our days have been going as follows:
- Up and shower, coffee in our room
- Coffee in the pool bar (remained open, pool closed)
- One of us goes to buy lunch (baguette, cheese, ham, salad, beer & wine if needed)
- Eat lunch on our balcony
- PM Snooze or beer in pool bar
- Shower and change for dinner
- Dinner in the hotel restaurant
- Back to room to watch TV, sleep
Popping out has been a highlight of the day. Therefore we don’t rush them
Corralejo is not a party town, its quite civil but still very busy normally and it pains me to see it like a ghost town. The locals are lovely, friendly people and they love us coming as much as we do thats why its our fourth time here.
As for going home tomorrow, I’m torn to be honest. I need to get out of our room and do something different. A bit of cabin fever I suppose. A bike ride, a walk anything but seeing the panic-buying and bile being spouted on social media I’m pretty sure we’re better off here. It reminds me how vile British people are. In contrast, its very civil here. None of that nonsense, just common sense and patience. Take the necessary precautions and just carry on
Before we fly home tomorrow I want to say thank you to all our friends and family for keeping our spirits up online. Its been great to share a bit of banter. Our neighbours the Dunkleys, in particular, who have been video calling us the last few nights. But lets be honest, there are people much, much, worse off than us at home and abroad and my thoughts go out to them. We can rebook and try again when things get back to normal but others are dying and losing their livelihoods as we speak. It breaks my heart and I will never complain about our circumstances this week. It is what it is. Life.
I’d also like to give a shout out to Jet2. They have been absolutely awesome under a great deal of pressure in unprecedented circumstances. I think this will stand them in good stead in the long run and I can’t recommend them highly enough.
We’ll be back in the UK tomorrow night, fingers crossed.
Adios!
Dreading it tbh
From all accounts, I think you’re in for a very different experience when you get back to the UK! Stay safe and healthy.