Greek Garbage Bins and Other Simple pleasures

 You know you are seeing travel differently when the community garbage bins beckon as a destination.

Messinian Bay from our deck

Last week, as we two expats sat under a cloudless Mediterranean blue sky on the deck of our Stone House on the Hill in the Greek Peloponnese, I exclaimed that we 'got to' - not 'had to' - take our garbage to the community bins that day. I announced it with the type of enthusiasm, I used to have when talking about a cruise or trip to a favorite destination. 

It doesn't take much these days to count as 'a trip' away from home. We are getting a refresher course in simple pleasures as we experience this country's second COVID lockdown of 2020.

Destination: the community garbage bins

Taking a short jaunt to the garbage dumpster was just what I needed -- a serving of travel, even if in an amuse-bouche sized portion.

On the road home - Pantazi Beach

Our weather has blessedly remained sunny and warm so we rolled down the windows and let the breeze ruffle our hair as we drove along the beach road that would take us to the dumpsters. We picked up to-go cappuccinos and spent a few minutes in the village parking lot watching the waves before heading home. Simple pleasures.

A NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER

The village in lockdown is rather forlorn

Only a few weeks ago, as November approached, I wrote of us being 'betwixt and between' in making decisions about returning to the States or for that matter, of traveling anywhere. We didn't have long to ponder as by the first weekend in November Greece was in full lockdown mode again. We aren't going anywhere for awhile!

The lockdown came swiftly and decisively. It was announced at noon on a Thursday and went into effect at 6 a.m. two days later. 

You may remember that last spring I was calling Greece 'the poster child of COVID prevention'.  Well, no longer can I brag about our adopted country. A steady increase in cases with a marked spike in October has nearly brought the Greek health system to its knees. Instead of springtime's 20 -30 cases per day, autumn's numbers had reached 2,000 - 3,000 cases per day.  ICU beds that numbered 300 countrywide in the spring have increased to more than 1,200 but the occupancy rate of those increased beds is now at 90%. Some areas have no more capacity and patients have been airlifted to other struggling hospitals.   

Sparsely populated Messinias prefecture - agricultural lands 

While the epicenters of the cases are our major metropolitan areas, Thessaloniki and Athens, increasing numbers of cases are being reported throughout the country. . .even in our sparsely-populated rural prefecture (county) of Messinias.  

The Scout waiting for dinner to go

Originally a three-week lockdown, it has been extended to four with hints it may continue on after the new end date, December 7.  Most of the populace, thankfully, seems in support of the lockdown and the only political debate brought up by the opposition party was whether it should have been imposed sooner.

ONE MORE TIME. . .

Even chatting with friends, masks are required

We've been required to wear masks inside businesses since spring and outside as well for the last few months. The numbers of shoppers allowed in retail stores when they reopened last spring were limited. Small shops allowed only two shoppers at a time and larger stores had security officers admitting people, monitoring numbers and keeping shoppers out as occupancy limits were hit. Restaurants served smaller numbers of diners - and at distanced outside tables.

It wasn't like 'before' our spring lockdown but it was definitely a time of simple pleasures: dining out, shopping, freedom to go where we wanted within Greece. We savored those pleasures of the summer and early fall. We suspected they might not last.

Our current lockdown came with a curfew as well.  If you are out after 9 p.m. you had better be headed to or from work (and have documents to prove it), be seeking medical care or walking your dog near your home.

Our retail stores considered non-essential (including hardware stores, despite being in the middle of olive harvest) are closed.  Super markets, grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations are open, as they were in the spring lockdown.  

Prohibited goods during lockdown

One major change this time around impacts the supermarkets and their customers. Like supermarkets everywhere, these stores sell more than groceries. So as not to give them a sales advantage over the small retail shops that are closed, supermarkets are unable to sell items like computers and electronic equipment, clothing, books and cookware. It is a commendable act, until something breaks or rips or needs to be replaced.

A fellow blogger, Juergen Klein, who writes 'dare2go' blog  has been unable to return to his home in Australia this year. as result of COVID response by that country. He and his wife are in Greece. He recently noted  that having not planned to winter in Greece, he needed winter pajamas because the nights do get cold here. He found them at a supermarket but was unable to buy them until the lockdown is over. Again, the fair trade effort is great until you as a customer in serious need of an item.

Takeout dinner - my favorite!

The majority of restaurants, bars and tavernas are closed in our nearby villages - a handful are open limited hours, providing takeout coffees and food. There has been no inside seating allowed for months. Outside seating is now forbidden as well. We aren't allowed sit while waiting for take out food. Going out 'to' dinner has become going out 'for' dinner. It is still one of life's simple pleasure to be sure!

Hiking is an approved exercise

We are allowed out to exercise and can have up to three persons in a group when doing so.  Hiking and walking are simple, but most welcome, pleasures! 

PERMISSION PLEASE

Permission for movement granted

As in the spring, we must text the government for permission to leave our homes for any of six allowed destinations/reasons and face hefty fines if caught out and about without permission in hand. Fines are also levied for not wearing face masks.  Those not able to text are allowed to print out government forms, fill them out prior to each trip and carry them with them. Fines per violation are now double that of the spring at 300 euros ($359US per violation). Retail store owners found in violation of lockdown guidelines can be arrested. . .some have been according to Greek newspapers.

HOPE AHEAD

Wine, moon in a parking lot: simple pleasures

The Greek media report that the government has purchased 25 million doses of Pfizer's Covid vaccine. The country's population is about 10.4 million, so it sounds as though there will be plenty to go around.  Especially after reading the report of a survey done last week in which one of every three Greeks surveyed said they wouldn't get the vaccination although the government is providing it free of charge to all citizens.

Immunizations will begin late December or after the first of the year.  Fingers crossed that there will be enough available locally for those of us 'vulnerable age group' expats to also get the necessary doses . . .

Parking lot sea wall- a simple pleasure destination

We hope that where ever you are reading this that you and your loved ones continue to be safe and well and that you are also enjoying simple pleasures.  Add a comment or drop a note and let us know how you are handling COVID in your part of the world. 

As always, thanks for the time you spent with us ~ we will see you next week when we will do a bit of time travel back to ancient Greece. . .at a place within a few hours drive of our home here. 

Linking soon with:

Mosaic Monday
Through My Lens
Travel Tuesday
Our World Tuesday
My Corner of the World Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday