This place is so quiet

We arrived here last week and took a day or two getting used to mask wearing everywhere we went. Although the idea is good in principle, it is hell to put into practise in reality. No more delightful walks anymore. We do walk over to our nearest area for a meal most nights but tonight shocked us. One of our favourite restaurants decided to close, we then went into the Chinese next door. Food was abysmal, unrecognisable. Very few people dining and certainly no English speaking people. We made the best of it with the help of a NON FREE BOTTLE OF WINE ( no longer included in the set price). I foolishly asked for a bottle of water without staying that my preference was con gas. An opened bottle of flat tap water was presented costing €1.50. I didn’t mind as clearly these are tough timed. The whole place was dead. No atmosphere at all. No lights in any of the big apartments nearby. One unfortunate Male was selling roses and nobody showed any interest in him or his flowers. I never thought J would see the place so dead. On the beach. You will see Spanish families but they appear to bring their own food and drink with them. The lunchtime trade is suffering badly as well. Another few days and we go home to quarantine for 2 whole weeks. I will ask myself if our trip was worth it and I am not sure what my answer will be.

Wow! It's almost as if there's a pandemic or something.

Not sure which area you are talking about but you are right and it is everywhere. I feel so sorry for bar and all business owners here, i cant see how many will survive the winter. We try to go out a couple of times a week but there is not much enjoyment with wearing masks and lack of atmosphere. Every business person i talk to is holding on by thier fingernails. I had a business here when we had the 2008 recession and had to walk away but think this one will be worse, god knows where it will end.

So where did you stay? Which eatery to you visit?

Sorry, should have made that clear. We are near La Mata and close to Torrevieja. Normally, it is a delight to sit and eat outside on warm, balmy evenings with lots of fellow diners close by. Not so at the moment. Like you, we have made an effort to eat out more often than necessary to support the local restaurants but I can’t see any of them remaining open during the week from here on in. They may all close and reopen at weekends. No way can they afford to keep bringing in fresh food when few patrons are turning up. I don’t know what they can do. The news from home suggests a rise in infection amongst the younger generations. How sad to think that we may all impose our own lockdowns in the very near future. At home, I buy pretty much everything online. I have even started ordering my Christmas presents for my family as I don’t intend to visit many shops until such time as we get a vaccination and we can feel safe going out and about again.
Our world had turned upside down and we must take care not to fall foul of this killer virus. Sorry to be such a doom and gloomed but that’s how I feel tonight.

Not to worry Rosemary all will be back to normal next year. I can sympathise with the masks. Not being used to wearing them when we were there in July I can't count the times we forgot them and had to go back and unlock everything to get them. September is probably really quite with all the children gone back to school, all the Spanish families gone back home and very little foreign tourists. Your mind is probably at rest tho now that you know your house is still standing. La Mata walkway is fantastic since its facelift but the lack of any beach huts and beach furniture is particulary regrettable this year.

Bee

frenchie wrote:Not sure which area you are talking about but you are right and it is everywhere. I feel so sorry for bar and all business owners here, i cant see how many will survive the winter. We try to go out a couple of times a week but there is not much enjoyment with wearing masks and lack of atmosphere. Every business person i talk to is holding on by thier fingernails. I had a business here when we had the 2008 recession and had to walk away but think this one will be worse, god knows where it will end.

It will end when the press find something else to bang on a out. You don't here them going on about Cancer, as its old news. 10 million die every year from Cancer, 450 every day in the UK, probably a lot more this year due to closing wards for covid, that were never used. Its becoming a joke.

Am I reading this post right. At home you do online shopping so as not to go out, but you have gone through two airports and will have sat for 2 hours plus on an airplane?

marcliff wrote:Wow! It's almost as if there's a pandemic or something.

Love it, brilliant !

In reply to your surprise about my online shopping, yes, we did indeed come through 2 airports. Both were extremely quiet and only 2 eateries open in Belfast International Airport. We were seated in row 2 at the front and only 1 other man was nearby, everyone else were way behind at the back of the ‘plane. In general, it’s easier to order food and everything online at home as it saves having to risk being near anyone with the virus.
While eating in the Chinese restaurant last night, I never witnessEd any staff member cleaning tables and chairs and certainly never saw a bottle of anti bacterial hand wash /spray. I do visit some shops but nothing like the number I used to enjoy before this pandemic.
The shops at home are geared up for delivery. Butchers, Food ( groceries) are delivered and left in the porch. My husband seems to enjoy washing everything and drying them before storing in fridge or larder. My son has a habit of ordering delightful meals for us from somewhere in England which are absolutely delicious. My sister orders dinner (Saturday evening) which is delivered by a wonderful restaurant but only within a 10 mile radius. Every week, she gets flamed up and lays her table beautifully and pretends that they are out for the evening.
It’s a new world and changing day and daily. It should be easier this winter to stay in hiding as our brains are fully aware of the dangers of catching covid19 and so we are all fore warned and better prepared to deal with our fight. The covid 19 numbers are escalating everywhere and can only get worse. I am hoping that the virus has diluted and isn’t as virulent as it was but only the future will tell.
Forgive my comments on our visit. I was prepared to find the place quiet but the reality is shocking and sad.