Days 141–155: Covid, Couches, and the Beauty of Spain
January 2023 will go down in history as the month I missed Spain.
I made it all the way to 8 January, 2023 before Covid found me, and boy, did it FIND me. For two solid weeks I was glued to our couch and spent most of that time sleeping. Bill got hit, too, so it was up to Mitzie to tend to us both. As wonderful a dog as she is, she lacks thumbs and a high enough sense of executive functioning so much of the work fell on Bill (he wasn’t nearly as sick as I was, I promise).
So, what does that have to do with moving to Spain?
For all that we were basically trapped indoors for the two weeks, we did get to experience things Spanish-ly.
- The pain meds (so, SO necessary for the wicked headache Covid gave me) are different here, and going to the farmacia is a lot like going to a doctor in the US.
- Sick days are different here, in that you’re not expected to use PTO/vacation days while you’re sick. Instead you need a doctor’s note out and in again, and you get paid a percentage of your usual pay for the time you’re out.
- The quarantine period was only 5 days (though our doctor recommended 10) and masked trips to the grocery were allowed.
- Friends who are fluent in Spanish can call your doctor on your behalf and they’ll actually talk to them.
Some things, like caring friends, were the same and while I don’t ever want to be that sick again I deeply appreciate the love we were shown from our new friends here and our old friends back in the US.
Staying inside for two weeks made me extra grateful for our Awesome Flat, and also disoriented me — would Spain still be there on the other side of Covid?
When I was finally able to get up and off the couch, my beloved Mediterranean Sea was waiting for me. Our local restaurants were still there, as were the busses. New cafes were there, too, ready to be discovered with friends.
I don’t recommend losing 2 weeks to sickness, but getting to return to living a Spanish life on the other side is a gift.
