Niños En La Calle

Since the start of the country-wide lockdown, children have been banned from going outside in the entire country of Spain. The only exception was if a child lives with a single parent, they were allowed to accompany that parent to the grocery store or pharmacy. Toward the end of the fourth week, we heard a steady drumbeat (online) of parents demanding that the children be let outside to play.

Empty streets usually teeming with Spaniards. 

San Nicolas Mirador....A plaza outside the boys' school, which is typically filled to the brim with tourists, children, guitarristas de flamenco and street vendors. 

We were/are so incredibly lucky and grateful that we live on a big chunk of space that the kids can bounce, hop, dance, run, climb, roll, "swim", throw balls, whack sticks, (Leo) and/or lay languidly, (Will) outdoors in the fresh air all day long. Also our kids are huge homebodies and barely noticed the restriction. Their biggest outrage was that they weren't allowed to go to their favorite ice cream and pizza spots (Please Goddess, let those places be open when the restrictions relax!)

But after 42 days of lockdown, the ban on kids lifted and they were freeeeeeeee!!!!! We were puuuuumped. Well, Leo was. He excitedly packed up his backpack with a million snacks, mad libs, a few stuffed animals and threw on a huge raincoat.

Will was like, I'm good to stay home. 

It was wonderful news for the whole commune because now we were are to also go outside for long leisurely walks as long as we have a a child in tow. Up until the 7th week, adults were only allowed outside by themselves to go grocery shopping or to the pharmacy. So we’ve been getting out, every day and again, so thankful we live here. 

This is his new go-to pose.

Wide open spaces covered in spring wildflowers right behind our cave. 

If you continue up through the wildflowers, there is a huge grove of shady pine trees. Leo dug a shallow hole and planted a pinecone in hopes of growing his own tree. 

Across the valley from our house is a bunch of trails and hiking paths. Here's the view from our terrace.

You may be wondering what Will is so fascinated in this creek. It's two toads mating. With another one circling trying to get in on the action while getting kicked in the face every time he made an attempt. Definitely the highlight of this particular hike. 

Colette and Pedro rented the boys for a couple hours and went for a stroll up through the empty Alhambra grounds. 

Wait. Colette and Pedro allow petting of feral cats?! I have to rethink my rental policy. 

Will has developed terrible allergies during this spring season. I wonder why. Could it be the constanty sitting in and sniffing out the biggest flowers he can find? 

See you on the streets!