THE NEW REAL

The beaches are open again. Not for lounging or picnics, or biking, supposedly, ‘though I saw all of the above yesterday when I walked there in the late afternoon. It was really good to see people out enjoying the gorgeous weather. With the parks and the beaches closed, we were crowded together on the sidewalks trying to maintain distance.

Now, lots of little kids running around. It looked a little like the beach in Tel Aviv. No one had blankets, just a towel or two, ready in case rousted. In Tel Aviv, that’s what they do. Here, we go to the beach with umbrellas, coolers, beach balls, blankies and tents. In Israel, they are probably wearing their swimsuits under their everyday clothes. They carry nothing. Simply walk to the sand and sit on it. The sand, I must admit, is like velvet. So fine and soft.

Now, to avoid problems with whoever is charged with enforcing the new beach rules, we are ready to decamp at the sight of a police vehicle. I didn’t see any lifeguards in their little towers. Others were using them. The tide was nearly in. It truly was heaven in Santa Monica. Impossible to believe what is really going on for us.

Poor world.