Day 75 - Reforestation

The pine trees are majestic. They are home to hawks, amongst other wildlife. Although it will be a shame to bring them down, they are not native to this region and they negatively affect flora around them. Nothing grows here near pine trees.

Once gone, our hibiscus trees will grow. The hawks will build new nests. We'll be able to plant many fruit trees and ipes, a native tree that produces beautiful flowers.

We planted araucarias recently – trees as old as the dinosaurs that grow to fill up the sky. Nature is taking its course on our mountain. Life renews.

That COVID meme

1. Are you an essential worker?

Nope. Work in the turism industry (manage my family's guesthouse), possibly the worst-hit industry and also the most inessential.

2. How many drinks have you had since the quarantine started?

I've got an opened bottle of red wine in the fridge which I've been drinking for the past 15 days (so, not that much).

3. If you have kids... Are they driving you nuts?

No kids. My 10-year-old nephew lives in the same property but I go days without seeing him, and when I do he's always very easy going.

4. What new hobby have you taken up during this?

I'm writing a lot more and I'm spending more time in the kitchen. Tomorrow i'm going to make my first ever lemon cake.

5. How many grocery runs have you done?

Did a big one at the start of the month then a few visits to small shops that sell fruits. We are lucky to live right next door to a lady who sells produce from local farmers - we visit her every Friday.

6. What are you spending your stimulus check on?

The Brazilian government is giving R$600 per month (equivalent of 91 British pounds), per person. If we didn't have my mom's pension there's no way we would be able to survive with this. I have no idea how other brazilians are going to do it. Also, the government is only lending this money - we'll have to pay it back further down the line.

7. Do you have any special occasions that you will miss during this quarantine?

The guesthouse should have been full during Easter. And I still volunteer remotely for Pride in London, which had to be postponed. Finally, I used to visit São Paulo on a monthly basis to stay with friends. I miss those visits the most.

8. Are you keeping your housework done?

We had a cleaning lady who came once a week. I now do her work, but I spread it out during the week (a kitchen today, a bathroom tomorrow, etc.)

9. What movies have you watched during this quarantine?

A rewatch of Muriel's Wedding, and El Angel Exterminador by Bunuel, which I loved. Otherwise, it's mostly random stuff on YouTube, documentaries and "Breaking Bad".

10. What are you streaming with?

Netflix and YouTube.

11. 9 months from now is there any chance of you having a baby?

None. There would have been chance of my cats having kittens but I thankfully got them neutered.

12. What's your go-to quarantine meal?

Nothing has changed for us though I possibly eat more bread and butter now.

13. Is this whole situation making you paranoid?

When it all started, yes. But now I've come to realise I was already leading a self-isolated life since I returned to Brasil 8 months ago. My routine hasn't really changed much, aside from there being no guests to receive.

14. Has your internet gone out on you during this time?

No.

15. What month do you predict this all ends?

July 2021.

16. First thing you’re gonna do when you get off quarantine?

Go see friends in São Paulo. Sit in a bar with them, drink lots of beer and eat pastéis.

17. Where do you wish you were right now?

In a bathtub.

18. What free-from-quarantine activity are you missing the most?

Being with new and old friends.

19. Have you run out of toilet paper and hand sanitizer?

That hasn't been a problem in Brasil.

20. Do you have enough food to last a month?

Yes, we are very lucky in that account.