The current lockdown in Greece began on 13 March and
resonated with the memory of life under the military junta during the
1960|70s. However, Greeks were, for once, aware of the emergency and the
village has been very, very quiet with the school and cafes closed. It
all started with an ear splitting siren noise from our Greek mobile phones
sending us an emergency message. Never having had one before, it scared
us half to death! Duly notified, we kept indoors. The weather has
been changeable but I’ve got lots of deep cleaning, tai chi and on line
contacts made.
So today was shopping day. The internet went wild over the
weekend with various versions of the document you need to fill in and sign and
the SMS message you have to send to give information about where and for how
long you are away from home. I put together a plan a bit like a military
operation. Hubby would never survive another stay in Intensive Care as he
was lucky to come out alive 7 years ago, so we have been self isolating to an
extreme level and welcome such restrictions if they can keep us in good health!
Feeling more than a bit ridiculous, I designated the Apothiki
(shed) a ‘dirty’ area (not far from the truth) and set a change of
clothes, bucket of Dettol washing stuff and a bowl of soap, hand towel and
water inside and shut the door.
Outside the apothiki, I donned an ankle length raincoat and gum
boots. I had visions of my lovely Granny dealing with war emergencies and
must have looked a real sight! Checked I had disposable latex gloves
(check), hand gel (check), pocket hankies (check) and all the docs needed
(check). Passport, ID and a special sms notification on my mobile
phone. Don’t leave home without that as it could provoke a 150 euro fine
from any policeman who cared to check! Just remembered my purse and
shopping list! Synchronised watch with specified time on declaration and
I was ready to roll.
I put spare latex gloves, kitchen roll and bin bag in the car beside
me and set off to the shops. I had never driven in wellies before.
The roads were absolutely deserted and I was glad that the weather was so awful
that not many people would want to go out.
Went to my local supermarket for groceries and there was plenty to be
had. Not many tinned tomatoes, but there were packs of chopped ones, I
bought some chicken pieces, bread, cheese, bottle of wine, toothpaste ...
everything I needed. I checked with Kostas at the counter about phoning
in an order and he said “yes, we can bring it to you”. Good. Not
much in the way of fresh veg, so called in the other shop on the way back and
they had plenty of lovely fruit and veg. Good. Everything on my
list, even light bulbs.
All done. Nobody stopped me or checked my papers.
Drove home in driving rain and arrived back home. Before I left,
I had asked Mr C to put the hot water on and not greet me at the door because I
wanted to keep any hint of virus out of the house. Put the fridge goods
by the door along with handbag. Cleaned the car inside and out and took
off gloves. Then crept into the shed and stripped off Mac and clothes
stuffing them in the bucket of water. Washed face and hands and cleaned
wellies. Used kitchen towels and disinfectant on hands and boots.
Eventually, made it into the shower ... marvellous!
Then dealt with all the fridge goods wiping them down with with weak
bleach solution. Decided to leave the rest of the stuff in the car boot
for a bit longer.
Time for a cup of coffee!
Glad not to be going out for another week .. What a phaff; exhausting!
Stay home and keep well, my friends!
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