Author Archives: mcharlottesmith

On the first Monday of the month at noon, a bunch of sirens go off all over the country. For the first few months I kind of missed it, probably because I was working in a site office out of the city. So the first time I heard it was a bit of a surprise.Continue reading “Life in the time of Corona – Captain’s log: Day 141”

Summer in the city. A friend of my boyfriend told me he is watching Trackers, a South African series, and I expressed a wish to see it too. This led to me gushing about how much I enjoyed the books from the author of the series, Deon Meyer. Consequently my boyfriend says he would likeContinue reading “Life in the time of Corona – Captain’s log: Day 140”

When they said it takes 48 hours to get the test results, they definitely meant it. I was hoping to hear a bit earlier, as I had plans for the rest of the day, and I heard at hour 47:57. I am glad to say that at this point in time I don’t have COVID-19.Continue reading “Life in the time of Corona – Captain’s log: Day 139”

I went for a covid test yesterday, and the results takes 48 hours to come through. It is weird to be stuck in limbo. Maybe I’m sick, maybe I just have a bad case of allergies. But until I know, I can’t leave the house for fear of infecting others. Be kind. Stay safe.

I just read somewhere that they want to make masks mandatory in public places in Amsterdam. I am not surprised, because I did notice it getting busier. Just a couple of days ago I was thinking with the borders opening up and the holiday season the risks are getting higher. Now I feel like inContinue reading “Life in the time of Corona – Captain’s log: Day 137”

I decided that all this lethargy during corona times and really the months preceding it needs to stop. Sadly, the days of getting up early to surf twice a week is long gone (since I left Peru) and even though there are some surfing in the Netherlands, for the current situation it is not aContinue reading “Life in the time of Corona – Captains log: Day 136”

I wrote the health and safety exam, and I passed. There were no covid related questions, but I did have to wear gloves while working on the laptop that was designated for the test. Interestingly I didn’t need to wear a mask so I’m guessing I could have hypothetically been picking my nose with myContinue reading “Life in the time of Corona – Captain’s log: Day 135”

I was studying for an exam all day. We have to write a VCA exam, its is about safe working practices on construction sites. I wonder how much of this kind of thing will be changed now to include the risk of being infected with a common disease like Covid-19. I wonder how life wouldContinue reading “Life in the time of Corona – Captains Log: Day 134”

It’s the longest I have ever been away from home(South Africa) and my family and I miss them. Be kind. Stay safe.

2 things: 1. I am honestly thankful that I am in the Netherlands during this strange time, for a multitude of reasons. 2. It’s always good to have a plan that’s not dependent on the weather. When I was preparing for this weekend I packed my flip flops, sunscreen and swimsuit. In stead I gotContinue reading “Life in the time of Corona – Captain’s log : Day 132”