The power has disappeared and nothing works. How should I spend the day?
It was Monday in Spain and Portugal, facing millions of people during the worst power outages in their history.
We asked those who didn’t have electricity for what helped them continue to live and what clampdown points they lacked.
cash
People formed a queue at the cash points in Madrid [EPA]
Paying by phone and card has become the norm, but in cities in Spain and Portugal, a queue formed on cash machines – at least the cities still operating – stores rejected card payments.
“When the power outage first started, we managed to pay for our coffee with our card, [but later] We don't have any cash, so we can't buy things,” Ed Rowe, 26, of Madrid, told the BBC.
“All open restaurants are cash only.”
Grace O'Leary, 32, who also lives in the Spanish capital, said she and her mom were counting coins to see if she had enough money to buy wine from a corner store.
“Obviously, the cash is actually the king.”
Jaime Giorgio, 28, was lucky enough to have some cash, which allowed him to buy food and other essentials.
“In Madrid, it’s messy, without a tube, you can’t take out any cash.
“I have cash, but my roommate doesn’t, so I had to borrow money to buy things.”
radio
The power outage also caused information outages because people spent the day without the internet, WhatsApp, phone and TV.
“The complete loss of communication is the most confusing and worrying thing…we are all left to the news that speculates about the causes of people nearby.”
The 42-year-old said there was no information that led him to look into the sky to see if the plane was still flying.
For Siegfried and Christine Buschschluter, an old transparent transistor radio station helped listen to local radio stations to find out what happened after their phones stopped working and stood out in rural houses outside the Spanish capital.
Christine, 82, explained: “You have to continue winding and winding.
“It's a very strange situation. I was born in Berlin during the war, and it reminded me of those days, my parents tried to get some news – this brought me back.”
The couple believes that the power outage will lead to a booming demand for battery-operated radios.
It's also on Daniel's shopping list. “Returning to the essential suite of basic communication and keeping informed I completely ignore what to remember.”
Canned food
The microwave, fryer, some Hobbs and ovens all require electricity.
But on Mondays, no electricity is required or food that is prepared requires heating.
In supermarkets, shoppers form long queues and panic essentials – echoing the scene of the 19th pandemic.
“We bought a lot of food that won't fall off, like tuna in cans, just in case,” said actor Jaime.
“The power outage lasted only one day, and now we have a lot of food, but most of the food doesn’t go bad because it’s easy to preserve.”
“It's harder than we thought to try to find food that doesn't require heating,” said Lesley Elder of Fornana town in southeast Spain.
“So we ended up having ham and cheese for supper.”
She added a gas stove to heat the food in the pan, which would be helpful.
Candles and torches
People turn to candles to light up their houses [EPA]
On the Iberian Peninsula, people turn to candles to light dark spaces.
Richard, who lives in the Spanish city of Alcala de Henares, said there was no street light when night fell.
“People are finding their way out with torches. The view from my windows is totally surreal, especially when I live next to the double lane,” he said.
“In my spare time, I make candles and luckily I have some free time so I can see it in the dark.”
Sarah Baxter from Barcelona said she even used a candle stove to heat food.
“We can heat the beans and rice and boil the water so that the potatoes are instantly.”
“It’s safer than the propane camping stove in the apartment.”
Although candles and naked fires may pose a fire risk.
power bank
Since there is no power supply, people rely on batteries in the device.
In Madrid, people line up outside tech stores to get the power bank.
Fortunately for Sarah, she has a solar charger that can charge through a ten-hour blackout and help her older neighbors do the same.
Leslie said her Kindle ran out of battery. “No TV, there is no Scrabble on my phone. So there are a few books that will help,” she said.
But for others, not being able to access the internet and its devices is a relief.
“Everyone is very dependent on technology, and it's a great reminder that you can be more independent,” Ed said.
“You don't have to keep in touch with everyone all the time. I had a great time with my roommates,” said his roommate, Hannah Steiner, 23.
“I think what's going on is important to make us more aware and more aware of our habits,” said Sara Francisco, 24, of Leiria, from central Portugal.
