The city of Granada is sinking further into covid restrictions. These Spaniards have already experienced the worst of 2020; their restrictions were stricter than most of the world with a 9-week confinement where they could only leave their house for groceries. Micah and I were in Minnesota for that part of the quarantine, and truthfully, we were minorly affected. We went to work, got our bubble tea, shopped, and took walks like normal while our now home of Granada was literally trapped.
But we're here for these restrictions, in the midst of their community, following the protocol. We are with them.
All restaurants, cafes, malls, and most stores are closed in this city, and basically, only the essentials are open. The day before this rule was put into effect, I went alone to a clothing store to purchase a few things while I could. The store was absolutely packed, and while I was waiting in the long line, I marveled at how united we all were. It was a communal problem we all faced, and we were all adequately preparing together. We were united in our preparation.
And I, the new foreigner to the city, am with them in that. The guiri that was freely frolicking Minnesota March while they were stuck is now united with them in the new era of covid.
And that's a beautiful thing.
Because of that, I have no complaints, no sadness, no frustration. I am with the comunidad de Granada, walking through these restrictions with thousands of strangers. It makes me feel part of them, even though by language, culture, and heritage, I'm definitely not. But this pandemic is an opportunity for all of us to feel united despite our class, race, nationality, or language.
Because we all have something in common now, and in hindsight, we always have.
