FINALLY! BACK ON THE BEACH!

I couldn’t believe it when we entered Phase Three and going to the beach for a swim was ok. It finally feels like we are getting back to normal and we can all enjoy a fun summer with our family and friends. I know that teens are getting a pretty bad rap in Spain, with quite a few videos having been taken of ‘botellones’ and other parties with heaps of people huddled together and nobody wearing masks. There are safe ways to get together with others without risking our own health or that of our parents or grandparents. I thought I would share a few recent Instagrammable moments. These are the first five things I did as lockdown restrictions started easing.

WORDS JOFFREE KING

HIT THE BEACH

I went with my dad and one school friend. We met on the beach and kept a 2m distance from each other, without missing out on swimming, surfing, and a paella afterwards at the chiringuito. Man, I missed having lunch on the beach! The place we chose was pretty cool; it had a kind of door you had to go through that ‘sprayed’ you with a cleansing spray.

ENJOYED MY HONEY MUSTARD CHICKEN AT ORIGEN

I had been waiting with bated breath for Origen to open. This place in the centre of Marbella is best known for its steaks but I am hooked on their honey mustard chicken, barbecued to perfection on the outside and juicy on the inside (the Josper oven does the trick). The whole family enjoyed a meal there, ordering chorizo, salads, and a mean melted Provolone platter we dipped pieces of freshly baked bread into.

© Kevin Horn

HAD A HAIRCUT

I admit that I like my hair to be on fleek at all times; as soon as my hair grows to over 3mm on the sides and my toupee style starts looking like Rick Astley’s 1980s do, I start getting a little nervous. I had to make an appointment and wait for around a week, since my hairdresser was fully booked. The wait was worth it; I felt a million bucks by the time I walked out of the salon.

WENT TO THE MALL

I went through a bit of a growth spurt in the past couple of months and that means that when I tried on last year’s shorts, I suddenly found myself looking like one of the boys in the Von Trapp family (yes, I do like The Sound of Music). Faced with the possibility of social isolation (owing to lack of clothing), I finally made it to La Cañada and upped my swag. I think I am officially worthy of being invited to my BFF’s upcoming pool party (only three of us are invited in case you’re worried and we will be respecting recommended distances).

GAMING WITH MY BEST FRIEND

It was awesome to be able to visit my friend and enjoy a game of GTA and other favourites together. Until now online games had been a great way for our friend group to stay in touch but it was much better in person with our favorite iced tea and snacks. I was planning on staying for an hour or so but we ended up playing ‘til late at night, much to the annoyance of my dad, who had to pick me up at midnight.

Things are slowly getting back to normal and the beach is a great place to go (and is still relatively empty, though I imagine it will change this month). I am still very careful (wearing my mask when I go shopping or anywhere indoors) but the trick to enjoying this time, in my view, is opting for outdoor gatherings and small get-togethers at friends’ homes.