The electricity is out and nothing is working. How am I supposed to get through the day? This was the dilemma faced by millions of people in Spain and Portugal during the worst power outage in their history on Monday. We interviewed individuals who spent the day without electricity to learn how they coped and what essential items they were missing.
Cash became crucial as shops switched to cash-only payments when card machines were affected by the outage. Queues formed at cash points in cities across Spain and Portugal, forcing people to rely on physical currency for transactions. The absence of cash left some unable to purchase essential items like food and drinks.
The power outage also caused an information blackout, leaving people without access to the internet, phone calls, and TV. Many turned to old wind-up transistor radios to stay informed about the situation. The outage highlighted the importance of having alternative communication methods in emergencies.
As microwaves and other electric appliances were rendered useless, tinned food became a popular choice for meals during the outage. Supermarkets saw long queues as people panic-bought non-perishable items like canned tuna. Some individuals struggled to find food that didn’t require heating, resorting to simple meals like ham and cheese.
Candles and torches became essential for lighting up dark spaces during the blackout. People used candles not only for light but also as a heat source for cooking. While candles provided a temporary solution, they also posed a fire risk.
Having a power bank or solar charger proved to be invaluable during the outage, allowing people to keep their devices charged for communication and entertainment. Queues formed outside tech shops as individuals sought alternative power sources to stay connected during the blackout.
The power outage served as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for emergencies and having essential items like cash, radios, non-perishable food, and alternative power sources on hand. Jadi, punya beberapa buku pasti akan membantu,” katanya.
Tapi bagi yang lain, tidak bisa mengakses internet dan perangkat mereka adalah lega.
“Semua orang terlalu bergantung pada teknologi sehingga ini adalah pengingat bagus bahwa kita bisa lebih mandiri,” kata Ed.
“Kamu nggak harus terhubung dengan semua orang sepanjang waktu,” kata teman sekamarnya Hannah Steiner, 23 tahun. “Aku sedang bersenang-senang dengan teman sekamarku.”
Sara Francisco, 24 tahun, dari Leiria, di pusat Portugal, berkata: “Aku merasa kejadian ini penting untuk membuat kita lebih sadar dan lebih sadar tentang kebiasaan kita.”