I´ve found it very difficult to motivate myself recently. It could have something to do with the incessant heat we've had for the last few days, or maybe its because we've all been busier now that the tourists are coming back.
Its been a hot topic of conversation for Eddie and I as we were both expecting a slow change from the island being very quiet to how it is now. However, it feels like its happened over night, like someone flicked a switch and said lets get on with it and get back to normal.
I'm loving that the island is busy again but its like the last sixteen months simply didn't happen,
and while it is wonderful having the tourists back and the village has a great buzz about it, it just doesn't feel right. its all just happened very fast.
One of the things that is frustrating is the restrictions we are still under. We can only have 50% of our usual capacity inside yet there are twice as many people around so on the odd occasion people are simply being turned away. We do our best to accommodate people but its not easy and we feel bad telling them they have to come back another night.
Another bone of contention are the closing times. No one seems to be able to give anyone a straight answer. Some folk believe we can be open as long as our license says we can, yet others think we have to be closed by midnight. We are airing on the side of caution at the moment and seeing as though we've been open since the end of June last year we don't feel like putting ourselves in jeopardy and risking a fine, we've come too far for that.
We are getting many visitors that wouldn't necessarily come to the canaries at this time of year or even at all, however with so many travel restrictions around the world they are choosing us.
One couple who were booked to go to Malta had to cancel their holiday because you can only enter Malta from the UK if you are double jabbed or under 12 years old, and because they have a teenage daughter who hasn't yet had the vaccine because of her age, they simply couldn't go.
Our Covid cases have dropped drastically over the last week or so and we were hoping we may have gone from level 4 to level 3, although the difference between the two levels is negotiable. If I'm honest, it seems like many people are just returning to how things were eighteen months ago and ignoring the restrictions.
I saw a video on Facebook the other night of an area in the south that is very popular with young people and it was absolutely rammed. There was no social distancing, no mask wearing, just hundreds of people gathering and having a great time. While I'm all for people having a great time it does worry me a little that it may be just a little too much too soon, I'm hoping to be proved wrong.
As I was just about to post this blog we got news of a rescue mission down in the village where a family had gotten in to trouble down at the rock pools.
Eddie and I were down at Las Vistas beach yesterday as I like to have a swim in the sea. On this occasion the tide was particularly high, the sea was fairly rough and it wasn't the crystal clear blue that it had been on our previous trip. For these reasons I chose not to venture too far in and just plodded about at the shore line. Something in my head told me that going in further was not a good idea on this day.
Many other folk had the same idea as me and nobody was far from the edge. Now this is a sandy beach with a steady "rock free" approach, the rock pools in Puerto Santiago/Los Gigantes are just that...rocks!!!
It only takes one rogue wave to sweep someone the wrong way and they would have no chance. As I write, the news isn't good. Three people were rescued and a fourth sadly didn't make it. My heart goes out to this poor family.
I am also full of admiration and respect for our emergency services, however I do feel that this area needs to be monitored more and simply made out of bounds when sea conditions are unfavourable. This is the Atlantic ocean after all and it can be unforgiving. My dad always used to tell me (and still does on occasions) the sea makes life......but it also takes life!
Until next time
H x
Are you joking? You have done nothing but complain at a lack of tourists and now you have visitors 'it doesn't feel right'? You are solipsistic, myopic and ignorant. You think of nothing but how you are personally affected by something. Your narcissism even extends to you making a comment about a tragic event in someone else's life. You literally talk about yourself and your opinions when you could've just expressed your sympathy.
ReplyDeleteI have only read these blogs because I stumbled upon them and I have glanced at them every now and then to see if you actually are capable of 1) writing coherently, in a well structured and grammatically correct way. 2) managing to consider the bigger picture. 3) not presenting misinterpreted or ill informed information.
You are, quite frankly, disappointing on all counts.
Very brave with your rhetoric posted as anonymous aren't you? My name is Ray Sharpe...you can find me in Ilkeston Derbyshire. I am happy to have my opinion attributed to me. Hollie ( and Eddie but mainly Hollie when it's regarding this blog) have been terrific throughout the pandemic. If you read the blog properly you will not that Hollie stated that they had thought that the tourists would come back gradually and it's the speed of the increase that has surprised them. It's perfectly reasonable to bemoan the lack of tourists when times were hard and now admit that it's hard work and a little worrying now that they are back. The blog is Hollie's thoughts and observations ,why wouldn't she write things from her perspective and make personal references? Keep up the Blog Hollie, it's cheered up this old man many times. My son and I ( big Mike ;-) ) thoroughly enjoyed our nights in your bar recently and I am happy to recommend that people ignore the personal attack from an anonymous misery and carry on enjoying your efforts.
DeleteIt is my choice as to how much personal information I post on the Internet. Posting anonymously doesn't make my opinion less valid, it simply means that I understand and choose to protect my safety in a unsafe environment.
DeleteThe writer chose to allow comments, and write on a public blog. If one chooses to write on a public forum, one must accept the risk of criticism. I do not consider my comment to have been a personal attack. Merely a comment on what I saw before me. I used no hate speech. I made no threats or aggressive comments. I stated my belief that the writer is self-centered and narcissistic based upon what I have seen in this blog. A personal perspective does not mean it must be narcissistic. And that is the impression I have received as I have read these posts hoping for some semblance of consideration for the bigger picture.
You may very much like writer, and the blog, and that is your prerogative. It is mine to express what I believe is a valid complaint regarding the style and content of a public blog.
If my comment reads as a personal attack then I express sincere apology to the writer, it was not intended as an insult, merely as criticism.
I feel that I must write in support of Hollie. I have been following her blogs since she started a year ago. During the pandemic she has kept me up to date and entertained about the area we have been holidaying in for the last 15 years.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up solipsistic it apparently means a belief that only your own experiences and existance matters. Throughout her writings are examples of showing concern for others such as businesses in the village failing because of Covid, tourists having to cut short their holidays, monies lost through cancelled flights or unfulfilled insurance claims. I noted in the 60's bar that they supported several local charaties and I believe Hollie has sung and several charity events. Therefore other's existances do matter to her.
As far as myopic ( short sighted) she does wear glasses so annoymous might have a point. And for ignorant ( lacking knowledge) I can not accept that someone who has written 40 or so Blogs , produced severeal informative Vlogs, started several businesses and is accomplished musician could be lacking knowledge.
We recently visited Eddie and Hollie at their bar and we found them to be more than welcoming, warm hearted and genuinely interested in our experiences.
Anonymous might like to look up sesquipedalain or prehaps she/ he knows the word already.