Back to Normal, or Are We?

We’re more than a year and a half into the Covid-19 pandemic, and a little more than half a year since vaccines became available to help mitigate the effects of a virus that has had an outsized impact on so much of what was previously considered to be “normal” life. The world eagerly awaits the day that this episode is behind us. Meanwhile, new variants appear in the attempt to prolong that return to normalcy.

As Americans, we had to bide our time for our return to our bit of paradise. Progress in the distribution and application of vaccines hinted at improved possibilities of a re-opening of international travel, and indeed, it happened. It was not without its own degree of uncertainty, shifting dates, changing regulations, and late as well as sometimes conflicting information. We ended up changing our travel plans three times as those shifts occurred, but ultimately Spain did re-open to international arrivals on June 7th. We arrived a little less than a week later, dually determined to make sure the process was working, and that we would be allowed into the country.

So what is it like in Mijas during these early days of return? Well, in a word, it’s quiet. The throngs of tourists visiting Spain, Andalucía, the Costa del Sol, and Mijas have seemingly taken a cautious approach to returning. It’s not so much Spain as it is the countries of origin. By most measures, arrivals from the UK tend to dominate this part of the Province of Málaga, and for better or worse, the UK has had a 10 day quarantine in place for travelers returning from Spain (as well as other countries on the Amber list) making it difficult and expensive for holiday makers to justify a trip. That quarantine restriction is scheduled to be lifted on July 19th, but throughout this process, most have been trained to be wary of promised dates as shifting case numbers have caused changes in those dates. Still, during a stroll along the streets of Mijas, the sound of British English is clearly increasing, and English representation was high at local bars and restaurants during last night’s Eurocup final match between Italy and England (so sorry, my English cousins….so close!).

As an experience, the current situation with fewer than usual tourists is good and bad. The good? A more authentic Mijas - a place where locals live their day-to-day lives, children play football in the alleys, and couples enjoy the evening paseo in a calm environment. The bad? Tourism rules the economy of Spain, particularly in places like Mijas. For local businesses, the slow return of tourists is most welcomed. The economy here is dictated by tourists and their euros. Some familiar restaurants and businesses haven’t survived the tourism drought. Those that have are eager to welcome back friends - old and new.

The bottom line: the tentative steps back to normal are underway. Things appear to be on a path to accelerate that transition. The reasons people have been drawn to Mijas are as applicable as ever. Back in Spain, we look forward to being joined by our fellow travelers and Mijas enthusiasts!