Life in Swine Flu City

I realise that living in Mexico City I can not avoid a post on the current pandemic (or potential pandemic, however you see it). But I don't really know what I can say on the matter that has not already been said and overexaggerated in the press (see; any British newspaper.)

Hence I will try to correct or verify what has been said/shown:

1. Mexico City is not a ghost town: Shops and most businesses are open and most continue to work/shop/go on with their daily lives.

2. Measures have been taken: Restarants, bars, schools (includng my school) and gyms (AND my gym) are closed. People are taking extra care with hygiene and kissing hello has stopped (although people do still communicate with one another and while they keep their distance it is not 6 feet [shock shcok horror horror].)

3. The masks are worn and are stupid. Their name; tapaboca (mouth lid) is even dumber. The idea that a piece of cloth protecting your mouth is going to protect us all from the disease is ridiculous especially considering the number of articles I have read explaining that only good hygiene will help and that the moisture the masks absorb may only make things worse. They are however very popular with the Mexicans and I do wear mine on the metro out of courtesy but nothing else. I am now the proud owner of about 5 as they are being handed out EVERYWHERE. Another important point regarding the masks is that Mexicans have always been partial to a tapaboca even before this outbreak. Throughout my 8 months in this country I have often spotted Mexicans (with colds I assume) wearing them. This leads to my next point...

4. Mexicans are scared of getting sick. They always maintain high levels of hygiene and take real pride in a clean house (to such a level that even the most obsessive compulsive of British housewives (or husbands [this is an a pro equality blog I'll have you know] would be put to shame.) I fear this may be because in a developing country such as this people may well die of ordinary flu/illnesses. Hence I would really like to have more information about those who have died so far and exactly how many of these cases can be confirmed as having been caused by the virus.

5. I do not feel like like a character in John Christopher's Empty World (who'd have known that one of Mr. Kidd's dull choice of reading matter for my 12 y.o self would ever come up?) nor is D.F like the set of 28 Days/Weeks/Months/Fortnights/etc Later (a series I have never seen but which is currently popular amongst the other disaster movies selling out in movies stores/illegal puestos everywhere.)

6. And finally, as with any good Potential Pandemic, War (see Iraq) or Royal Death (see Princess Di) there are of course conspiracy theories a plenty. Most popular amongst Mexicans being that this was created by the U.S (who else?) for their evil plan for world domination (Obama did visit barely a week ago). In close second the virus was created by Calderon to distract from the financial crisis and his lack of success with the drug cartels (although many of his cabinet have recieved some financial success from those.)

So, as you may well have worked out by now I am currently at home with no gym nor bar nor restaurant. Hence I am having a rather pleasant government imposed relaxing time. I am listening to Spanish classes on Spanishpod (excellent podcast service for language learners) and finally have the chance to read Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments which Pat kindly bought me from the U.S (v.interesting so far, I'm on chapter 5.)

All I really want to say is please please please do not worry about me. It is terrible and devastating that people have died from this virus (as death always is) and I am truly sorry for all those Mexicans who have lost their loved ones and hope the current number of fatalities increases no further. However the POSSIBLE (remembered not all have been confirmed H1N1 cases) fraction of fatalitites from the virus is still very low and that yes, the WHO has raised the warning level but this seems to be more due to the spreading of the disease rather than the danger of the disease itself.

Obviously I am following the official advice given and while I am well aware of the risk here I do not feel myself to be in serious danger but I promise to keep monitoring the situation.

Easter

After a load of complications and different offers for what to do for Easter, we simply rented a car and went to the beach. This time, instead of going to Acapulco (like the rest of the population in DF) we headed that way but drove a little further up the coast with 'the palace' (see below) and stayed on one of the many vigin beaches between Zihuatanejo and Acapulco, in a town called Arenal.

We followed the first signs we saw for cabanas and arrived at the above, owned by an old man with just some hammocks, tables and a small "restaurant" (a very basic kitchen serving only fresh fish, tortillas and beer). The people were lovely and let us pitch up our tent for nothing. The place was frequented by fisherman and families from Arenal with whom we spent some evenings playing dominoes and drinking cervesa.

On the Friday we took a small drive down the coast to a nearby laguna we had been told about to go swimming and have a BBQ (we bought ours with us but unfortunately forgot the grill; photo below) which was really beautiful.

Unforunately on our drive back to the cabana our car became stuck in the sand and there was no way of moving it. We went back to the laguna to ask a small family for some help and soon we had an army of Mexicans pushing the car out. After sharing out our vodka with them (modern manners) we were safely on our way back to the cabana.
Now, after a great break I am back at work with a big fat timetable just trying to think of the money and not go insane over the 3rd person singular (he HAS a car - he does not HAVE a car!) and of course looking forward to my next holiday.