Tourism in time on Quarantine

We are trapped, kind of? But not really? The Spanish Government has declared that nobody can leave their homes unless its for something essential like buying groceries, going to pharmacies or going to work (if you cannot work from home). The measures being taken are drastic, but they are exactly what we need to get through these hard times, brought to us by the COVID-19.

I will do my part to stay home. And that brings me to a conversation I had last night with my friend Nisha, who is quarantined somewhere else in the globe. She said she was thinking of writing a cookbook called Quarantine Cuisine, and I joked about writing the Foreword... to which she answered (and I quote) that with this situation:

"There is no more Turismo in TurismoTasty."

Well Nisha, let me tell you that I thought about it as I was falling asleep, and I disagree! We might be at home for the next few days/weeks, but we can still enjoy the world, and here are a few ways of how to do that:

Exploring the world:

• Google Earth: Visit anywhere in the world, let Google guide you with recommendations and enjoy the natural and architectural wonders that we have. Link here: https://earth.google.com/web/

• Google Street View: Very similar to Google Earth, just a different way to access various locations. Link here: https://www.google.com/streetview/explore/

• Google Arts & Culture: Go inside a Space Shuttle, visit Carnegie Hall or other locations: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/360-videos

Visiting Museums:

• Here is a list from Travel & Leisure with 12 museums that offer virtual tours, as a way to learn more from different cultures and take advantage of no queues. Link here: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

1. Pinacoteca di Brera - Milan https://pinacotecabrera.org/

2. Vatican Museum - Rome http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/it/collezioni/catalogo-online.html

3. Museo Archeologico - Athens https://www.namuseum.gr/en/collections/

4. Prado - Madrid https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-works

5. Louvre - Paris https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne

6. Metropolitan Museum - New York https://artsandculture.google.com/explore

7. Hermitage - San Petersburg https://bit.ly/3cJHdnj

Live Music & Concerts:

You missed the chance to go to Coachella, your favorite concert was cancelled, but there are ways in which you can still listen (or stream) great music from around the world!

• Classical Music Concerts coming up online: https://www.therestisnoise.com/2020/03/covid-19-live-streams.html

• March 15 is the last day for the #Yomequedoencasa Festival: https://www.yomequedoencasafestival.com/

• From March 16 to March 27, listen to the Cuarentena Fest: https://cuarentenafest.tumblr.com/

Running out of ideas?

• Follow @Stayathomepls in Instagram for ideas of what to do in English

• Follow @Yoencasita in Instagram for ideas of what to do in Spanish

I also recommend this great article from the New Yorker, which offers a lot of links to other sources and opinion articles on the COVID-19: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/coronavirus-concerts-the-music-world-contends-with-the-pandemic

Most importantly, stay safe, call friends and loved ones through videocall / phone if you feel lonely, try to maintain an eating & sleeping routine, and keep yourself busy! Take this as an opportunity to enrich your mind, and strengthen the bond with those around you, even if it is virtually. The world will be stronger once we get through this Pandemic.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the last few weeks: