Stuck in Spain
TRURO, N.S. – In short order, what began as a relaxing holiday quickly evolved into a worrisome situation for a Truro couple.
COVID-19 has left Jan and Paul Zann, both in their 80s, stuck in a small Spanish town called Nerja.
“The town is totally locked down but we’re doing all right,” Paul said. “We’re not allowed to leave our apartment unless we’re going to a doctor, pharmacy or for groceries. There are police cruisers driving around all the time, and if you go onto the sidewalk, they’ll stop you. If you don’t have a good reason to be there they can fine you.
“Two of our friends went across the street to go to the grocery store but they were stopped and told only one at a time could go.”
The Zanns, parents of Cumberland Colchester MP Lenore Zann, first arrived in Nerja, on Feb. 1. They had no problem going out and enjoying the warm climate. For about the past month, however, they’ve had to stay indoors, with the exception of their own small balcony.
“This building has a swimming pool and gardens, but we’re not allowed to go to that area,” said Paul. “We’ve rented this apartment before and have friends in the area, but we can’t visit them now.
“We love visiting here because it’s a beautiful little town but at our age – I’m 87 and Jan’s 82 – the sooner we can get home, the better.”
The Zanns’ original flight home had been scheduled for March 31. As the threat from the pandemic grew, they tried to return to Canada sooner. With help from family, they arranged a journey that would see them get home Tuesday, March 24. The first leg was a KLM flight from Malaga to Amsterdam, on Sunday.
“We closed our rental apartment, stripping the beds, switching off the fridge, etc., packed our suitcases, got a taxi for the 90 kilometres to the airport,” said Paul. “At the counter, we were refused entry to the plane because we were not Dutch citizens. Another taxi to take us back to the apartment. Where we still are.”
They’re now booked an an Air Transat flight to Montreal this Saturday, then an Air Canada flight to Halifax.
“A further six days in sunny Spain is hardly a penalty but having to go through a repeat preparation to leave certainly is,” said Paul.
They’re a little nervous about travelling but have masks they plan to wear at the airports. Until then, they’re making the best of things.
“Our health has been good, and we’ve done OK with our time,” said Paul. “We’re keeping up on what’s happening around the world by watching Sky News. Jan’s an amateur painter so she’s been doing a lot of that, and I love reading and have a lot of books here.”
“We love visiting here because it’s a beautiful little town but at our age – I’m 87 and Jan’s 82 – the sooner we can get home, the better.” Paul Zann