My Mexican friend Ramiro, who is the most warm-hearted, outgoing, people-loving person I’ve ever known, checks in with me weekly to see how I’m doing. Extrovert that he is, it’s inconceivable to him that anyone could live alone and like it, as I do.
“Aren’t you ever lonely?” he sometimes gently asks.
“Never lonely and never bored,” I tell him. “I always find plenty to do.” I try to explain to him that I love reading books as much as he loves socializing with people. As an introvert-homebody, I have no trouble at all being alone at home. This is a very foreign concept to him. For me, it’s a great advantage during these shelter-in-place times.
Thinking about Ramiro has made me think about how well social distancing might work here in Mexico. In my experience and observation, for most Mexican people physical proximity and social nearness are not second nature, they’re first. Mexicans appear to love gathering in large, happy groups, the closer the better. Among friends, bear hugs and cheek kisses abound. Couples of all ages walk hand in hand and sneak smooches everywhere. Little ones are held and cuddled by the whole family. Realistically speaking, it seems to me, asking a Mexican to practice social distancing is like asking a fish to climb a mountain.
Ramiro tells me that his business — he chauffeurs tourists to and from the airport and takes people on tours of Guanajuato — is flat, because tourism in Mexico has so sharply declined. But he says he’s not worried. Worry doesn’t seem to be in his toolbox. I tell him I could teach him how to do it – because worry is one of the few things I excel at – but he just laughs. “Things will get better,” he says, ever the optimist.
I theorize that Mexicans, steeped in their ancient, proud culture, which has weathered so much, tend to take the long view when it comes to possibly catastrophic events, such as this coronavirus pandemic: It will end. We’ll get through it. Or we won’t. God only knows. Mexicans don’t seem to own panic buttons.
If Ramiro were a book-reading kind of guy – which he isn’t – I would press on him a book I’m reading, or I should say, re-reading, now. I first read this classic in college (a hundred years ago); and, given current events, I’ve recently remembered its gist. Written by Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio in the middle of the 14th century, The Decameron (decameron meaning ten days) follows ten young people – seven women and three men – who escape the city of Florence, Italy, during the Black Death (Bubonic Plague – considered the deadliest plague in human history) raging in Florence in 1348.
The eldest, boldest, leader of the group, twenty-eight-year-old Pampinea, stands up and says to the rest, “What do we here? What wait we for? What dream we of?” and they all agree with her to leave immediately.
They travel a few miles out of the city to stay at a safe, secluded villa in the countryside. There, they decide among themselves to tell stories to each other to pass the time and lift their spirts, which had been so depressed by the plague. Every day for ten days each of the ten young people tells a story – bawdy stories, love stories, funny stories, gender-bending stories, and more – so that after ten days there are one hundred timeless tales about the human condition.
As one Boccaccio scholar put it, “In demonstrating how the moral climate of the city had been altered due to the dehumanizing effects of the plague, Boccaccio allows the narrators, and indeed himself as the author, the freedom to express ideas not commonly discussed or accepted in the society of his time.”
Boccaccio only describes the too-horrible realities of the Black Death (“mortal pestilence,” as he calls it) in his Introduction. “It is believed,” he adds, “without any manner of doubt, that between March and the ensuing July [of 1348] upwards of a hundred thousand human beings lost their lives within the walls of the city of Florence, which before the deadly visitation would not have been supposed to contain so many people!” But once the young people are situated in the country villa, they deliberately put the plague out of their minds and go on living, telling stories, and laughing.
Reading this masterpiece (I’m far from finished, with hundreds of pages to go), I’m reminded of many things: how important it is to read – and reread – the old classics that yearn to speak to us through the ages; how vital storytelling is to us all, especially in times of fear and uncertainty; how resilient human beings are and always have been. Florence survived the Black Death. I know this, firsthand, because I’ve been there. I celebrated my fiftieth birthday in beautiful, vibrant Florence, Italy, in May 1995. Alone.
So if Ramiro were to phone me today from Guanajuato to ask, como estas?, I’d give him this brief report:
San Miguel is quite quiet at the moment. Most of the tourists and snowbirds have left (in a rush). There are far fewer people on the streets and in the Jardin, and those who are out seem to be – amazingly! – following the Mexican health ministry’s new “Sana Distancia” [healthy distance] initiative. Schools, including the school where I volunteer-teach, libraries, and churches are closed. Musical, theatrical, and other cultural events have been cancelled. Restaurants, galleries, boutiques, and other tourist-dependent businesses must be suffering.
But, to date, there are no reported coronavirus cases in San Miguel de Allende and no deaths from it here – or anywhere else in Mexico — as far as I know.
And as for me, querido Ramiro, except for my daily walks in the park and weekly grocery shopping, I’ve been staying home. I’m reading a big, fat, wonderful old book filled with fabulous escapist stories. So, gracias a dios, and thank you for asking, I’m doing just fine.
And you?
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Thanks fo this, Bonnie. Always appreciate your words. You can find my off-the-grid take on the virus at my blog: ozzienogg.com
A bit black — no pun intended. Stay well.
Thank YOU for your feedback, Ozzie! I look forward to reading your take on this bleak situation. You stay well, too.
Bonnie, I very much enjoy your blog. I admire your intelligence, energy, engagement, and kindness in the way you conduct your life.
How kind of you to say, Suzy. Your words mean a lot to me. — Abrazos from MX, BB
Hi Bonnie — I love the connections you make between our current crisis, Mexican culture and ancient literature. Perhaps there is a silver lining for our world –maybe we will become better thinkers, better readers, more mindful ,more present. For sure the US could use a dose of community building that will require all of these things.
Thank you SO much, Kim, for your thoughts on this post. I tried to pack a lot into it, I know. So glad that the braid came through to you clearly. — Take care! — xx
Hola Bonnie! Your description of the Mexican point of view is always accurate. Such an interesting contrast between Ramiro and you. Nice connection to The Decameron.
Thank you, dear P. Have you read The Decameron? If not, I think you’d really enjoy it. — xx
Loved this Bonnie, your musings about Mexicans are true, as I have been embraced by the community here in NNM. Glad you are doing well and hope this ends soon, I know how dependent SMA is on tourism as we are here. xoxxo
Love hearing from you, Dee. And so glad you like this post. I wish you and all there health and strength in this scary time. — xx
So glad to hear all is well in SM. Here in Taos, Steve and I are living our pretty quiet like as normal. I just planted in my greenhouse and hope to have enough to share with neighbors, if needed. The chickens are noisily laying eggs, seeming not to grasp the full understanding of the the world outside the coop. Steve is working on his novel, getting ready for a photo show that may not happen and keeping me entertained. Meanwhile, the dogs keep pooping and needing walks and the cat, well, he’s a cat! I can visualize the Jardin being quiet, a great place to read a book. We haven’t heard from anyone else down there yet. I’m glad you have someone looking out for you, not that you need it. It’s just nice. Be well!
Great to hear from you, Donna, and to know that you and Steve are living life “as normal”! Keep in touch and best wishes for you, Steve, and all of Taos.
Hi, BB! I’m so glad that the virus hasn’t seemed to hit SMA, or the region, or the country (?) yet. May it ever stay away! Here in Taos, the Tempo came out yesterday, with a cover and preface declaring that the cornucopia of fabulous art exhibits, music shows, etc,so enticingly portrayed in this issue, will not happen. What a nixed and disappointing message!
I hope you’re having a blast with Barb despite your Decameron solitude!
Love,
Steve
Hi, Steve — No, Barb and her daughter Ellie cancelled their trip. So it’s just me and The Decameron here at my place! Es la vida ahora! — Best wishes to you and Donna, xx
Dear Bon,
I am so glad to hear you are well. I am well myself. I think your choice of corona reading is perfect. I read an abridged version of The Decameron years ago, and I have always wanted to read it in its entirety.
Clearly, Mexicans have the right idea of how to face adversity. I’m not sure I can say the same for us here. Schools are closed for three weeks, but that is a hope, rather than an actuality. We’ll see.
After living in NY for two disasters, Aids and 9/11, I’m thankful to be in a quieter corner for this one. And I am happy that the same goes for you.
Much Love,
Paul
Thank you, dearest Paul, for your sweet words. I’m glad to know you’re doing well, too! Just think: Now that your school is closed for a time, you’ll have time to read all 650 (or so) pages of the whole Decameron! Then we can conduct our own virtual two-person book group to discuss it! — LU & Miss you, BB xx
What a great premise for a novel. A wonderful way to discuss relevant social issues of the day—in the mid 1300s! I wonder if someone in the world, observing the current pandemic, will reprise the genre. Not I.
But I question whether a modern-day, major publisher would trust that today’s readers would have the patience and attention span to read such a novel. Hmmmm…
Oh, if it was interesting enough they would. On second thought, maybe not.
Cherie shared with me an idea: “Love in the Time of Coronavirus.” She was sure somebody is already writing this one. 🙂
Ripples of laughter over here! I’m sure you’re right.
Si, la Bonnie! I read it many years ago too…was thinking of it today.
Time to read it again, Te!
If nothing else, this is a good time to write.
La verdad!
Lovely writing. I too an an introvert and have many interests and hobbies. I find myself reaching out via phone to touch base with old friends and reading is a daily happy pastime.
Hugs to you.
Kate
Thank you, dear Kate. It’s wonderful, isn’t it, how old friends are reconnecting from across the years and miles these days? It’s one of the silver linings in this dark cloud — also more time to read! 🙂
Loved this piece. Will send an email.
Thanks, Helaine! We must “do” lunch at Chez BB. There are no crowds here. 🙂