Update on our Quarantine in Quito

May 11, 2020 SouthAmerica

We all know that Ecuador is having a hard time because of the Corona virus COVID-19. We know that they have reported many cases but also many go unreported. We feel sorry for Guayas Province. The many people that have lost loved ones. This pandemic is affecting all of us, in many ways.

Now, I would like to continue with our grocery shopping stories, because in situations like this, we mothers worry about keeping our family healthy and on feeding them. After writing the first update on this quarantine, our older post “Quarantine Update and Bring on The Board Games.” Following the many rules established by the government. The main one of only one member per family should go shopping, I went back to the supermarket for the first time under these new regulations, about two weeks ago. At that time the store hours were 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. At first impression, there was some people waiting outside to enter the store. But then, when I tried to find the last person to follow the line, this was longer than I expected. Almost two hours later, I was able to enter the store. But before, they sprayed me with disinfectant, and it is a rule for people to wear a mask and gloves.

It felt good being able to enter and get some food. The supermarket looked good, clean, and all the employees wearing masks and gloves, just like the clients. Most of the people were respectful of the recommended distance, but it is hard to manage the safe distance when you have to reach for 2 or 3 seconds and grab what you need. I guess it’s better this way instead of waiting longer around other people.

This time the sold-out product was yeast! I guess everybody decided to bake something. I found; flour, eggs, milk, and that was enough for some baking. I checked some of my old cook books and suggestions are as follows; if yeast isn’t available, baking soda and baking powder are other options. If not, we can go old school, and use whipped egg whites as a rising ingredient. This time we decided on baking some banana bread. Bananas are always available here in Ecuador, and the flour comes with baking powder in it. Who knew that would be so handy!

The second time we were able to go back to the supermarket was after another two weeks. This had to be done on Monday because it is the only day when we are allowed to drive. The good thing was that the supermarket has extended the hours of attention from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. that helps.

To my surprise this second time, I saw board games for sale, and more books than usual. They have Isabel Allende’s books, the Lord of the Ring series, and even Agatha Christie’s books. Not bad for people with extra time in their hands.

We have been adventurous in the kitchen; we made cottage cheese, mainly because it is the only cheese we can make from the milk we can buy at the store.

We continue playing board games, and this time Sorry is keeping us entertained.