mcharlottesmith

Today for the first time, the weather and the mood was suitable to have breakfast on my balcony, with my pretty flowers, in the morning sun. A part of me had dreamt about this for a very long time. Maybe I imagined an Italian espresso and a dainty croissant rather than a milky mug of comfort and bread and cheese, but even so, I am content.

Working from home is starting to become less of an oddity and more of a part of daily life. I guess we will be doing it for some time to come, so its just as well to get used to it.

I had an appointment for today for an admin task and for it I needed to print some documents. To do this i had to find a shop in the neighbourhood that does printing, so I scheduled my daily walk around that errand. It is very strange to see the otherwise busy streets nearly deserted and many shops barely doing business, or completely closed. I guess one of the some casualties of this disease will be a lot of small businesses that will go under. I was reminded once again to support local businesses in any way you could. If you are allowed to order a takeaway, maybe do that, or shop online. A lot of musicians and artists who make a living from live performances can no longer do so, and I urge everyone who can tune into their live online performances and donate where you can.

In the late afternoon i ventured to the city hall for my appointment only to hear they are only processing urgent applications and apparently I still have another 6 months before my window of opportunity expires, so my errand was in vain, but at least I got to cycle to Amsterdam central without the usual hazard of crowds of people and a lot of tourists that aren’t quite sure what to do with bicycle traffic.

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The near empty streets are a slightly eerie sight, but it does offer beautiful views of the city and what is really in those shop windows (not THOSE shops, just the normal shops around town.) Empty squares seem larger and more vast. Repair and maintenance work carry on, including the canal clean up boats, and i got treated to the sight of a bunch of bicycles that were “rescued” from a canal!

Being at home gives me a lot of time to do a lot of the things I love, including making beautiful and tasty meals. I get to try out new recipes and foods, and experiment with things I see around. Just look at this yummy sandwhich!

Perhaps my favourite part of the day was my online music lesson. About a year ago a dear friend gave me a guitar with the instruction to learn to play, because music is really an excellent way to feed one’s soul and deal with other hard things in life. So when i saw the advert for a guy that is offering online lessons, I jumped at the opportunity. I want to at least give it a try, you know. Of course I had my reservations, and I was a little worried that I might learn nearly nothing and its a waste of time. Boy, was i wrong! In the first lesson I learnt some really cool exercises, a handful of chords and even some tips on technique. I look forward to see where this will go in the next few months and who knows, I will come out of this isolation with a new skill!

As I bid farewell to this day, let me share this picture with you. Its a version of my current daily view. A literal window into the lives of my neighbours (or Amsterdam TV as a friend calls it(Seriously, they still dont believe in curtains)) and the crescent moon and the evening star, just hanging out in a beautiful evening sky.

Be kind. And stay safe.

The days are running into each other and I am no longer sure of its Tuesday or Judgement day (pro tip: it’s neither.)

However, something about today was different. Yesterday the sun was out but it was surprisingly cold. Today looked the same, but it warned up. It finally feels like I’m experiencing the sun warming me for the first time in a long time. Maybe it’s more pronounced because I just finished a southern hemisphere winter before coming here in the autumnal, heading into a second back to back winter? Maybe it is because in this time of uncertainty and solitude, the noise of humanity is quiet and we have a moment to experience nature?

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I don’t know,but I know that I’m not alone. Looking into the backyard of my building I could see a few neighbours taking in the sun around my lunch break. People are fixing up their gardens and installing benches. Outside people are exercising on their own, and even a guy on his balcony.

Around the world we hear of more cases of infection, death, and mostly security measures. India has put the entire country on lock down, 1,3 billion people!In Peru friends tell me they can only go to their designated supermarkets. South Africa is planning a very strict isolation period for 3 weeks. Some stores have been fined for raising the prices of key items and people are panic buying so much that a group of artists released a song( https://twitter.com/PicknPay/status/1242732100232544256 ) to warn against it!

With the seasons turning, I wake up earlier in the mornings. It is nice to gradually wake up as the daylight fills up my room.

I even talked myself into going out for an early morning bike ride before the work day started. I figured it’s a better option to get in some exercise while there are fewer people out and about.

The spring morning was chilly, but bright and it was good to get out of the apartment and see a bit of nature. There were quite a few people out who obviously had the same idea. Even so, I was able to keep my 1,5m distance and have an enjoyable cycle before starting the day.

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More friends from around the world are telling me their lock down stories and I think we have it good here. I really just hope that we get through this in a healthy state of mind.

Just another manic Monday, as the Bangles would say. Only I can’t blame it on the train, or the bus, or the plane, because I am still working from home. That is me and the majority of the Dutch population.

I am slowly starting to get used to having a day filled with teleconference after teleconference and I am starting to recognise the home offices of my coworkers. Soon I will start taking note of the book titles in the background or something. Still a better alternative than naming my potplants and starting to talk to them. I do think the palm has a cheeky haircut like a Karen…

Spending time at home at all hours brings new possibilities. Friends report that they are getting better at cooking good meals, and I managed to practice a bit of music today in my break. I didn’t realise how good that would be for my mind, body and soul to change focus to something so completely different.

In the evening I had a double booking of sorts: Two political leaders on two different continents, giving press statements about the same topic at the same time – The one in South Africa started late, because, well, TIA.

In my home country they are implementing a complete lock down for 3 weeks, starting on Thursday. Just as well I decided to postpone my planned visit. As sad as I am to be away from my family, at a time like this, I am thankful to have a job and be able to continue working here., in the Netherlands.

Over here they have extended the existing measures from until the 1st of June 2020, and no longer the 6th of April as previously thought. This is really long, and the impact on businesses and the economy must be devastating. Every day I think and realise the world we live in is never going to be the same again. Things are going to change forever. Who knows where we will end up. I just hope that when we start over, we rethink what is really important to us.

Be kind, and stay safe.

The song on my playlist goes “Things, can only get better” by D:ream. It is cheesy with extra cheese and I really hope it is true. My big fear, and I am sure, the fear of a lot of people is that first it will get much much worse. I worry about people who are at risk because of socioeconomic factors. I worry about people who are immune-compromised for many reasons. And I worry because there are still too many people who doesn’t take this seriously for whatever reasons.

On a brighter side, its great to see how many “traditional” folk are embracing technology as a way of connecting to others. I saw a variety of people post on social media that their church service was broadcast digitally, and I think this is a great idea. I got a great video of the Rotterdam Philharmonic playing Beethoven from their homes. Many people are for the first time considering that they need to connect with those who cannot be connected otherwise.

I went out to soak up the spring sunshine in the parks around Amsterdam. I don’t know how long we will be allowed to freely walk outside so I am glad we had such a beautiful day to do it. A lot of other people had the same idea, and everywhere in the parks you see people exercising, but usually at least they keep a sufficient distance. There are reminders up everywhere to keep at a safe distance.

The scenery was beautiful, as can be expected on such a gorgeous day, and I am lucky to have the opportunity to witness a part of this. It is peaceful, in his time of uncertainty.

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A shop owner was making use of the closed hours to paint his shop windows, and his warning signs made me smile. I thought i might have to feel it in my fingers

Heading back home, I was happy to see my bread car is still open for business. I try to support the local business as much as possible during this time. I am sure that these guys who depend on their daily sales for their income is feeling the side effects so hard. I am part of the lucky few who can continue to work from home, but if these guys don’t do business with the public, they can’t work at all.

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Please, support your local entrepreneurs as far as you can. Be aware that some people will likely lose their income over this, and be sensitive to their battle. We are all in this together.

Today is Saturday, the first weekend since they closed all the restaurants and things. After 5 days of sitting in front of a computer at home I’m happy for the break in routine.

Although it’s still a bit cold outside, the day is gloriously beautiful with blue skies and sunshine all around. I wrap up in a comfy wind proof jacket and take my bike out to make up for every day’s cycle that I missed. I figure that if I head to Het Amsterdamse Bos, I will be able to keep a 2m distance from other people and still get to enjoy nature.

What a treat. Beautifully paved roads goes all over the Bos with some very scenic areas to take in. I stop a few times to sit on a bench and take it in. I definitely wasn’t aiming for a fast time, merely the opportunity to move my body and be outside for a bit.

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Returning from my bike ride, I take the opportunity to get some flowering plants for my balcony. I’ve always dreamed about a cheerful balcony flower box and I realise this is the season! And what is more, with this working from home shindig I will actually get to enjoy it more! I honestly feel very proud of my balcony garden

Today ended up quite productive, and I managed to finish off a few nearly done knitting projects, so now they are all set and ready to send to the recipients of a bit of warm hand love.

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One of the biggest advantages of spending more time alone at home, is that I can take some time to prepare and enjoy beautiful, wholesome food. It’s quite easy to fall into trap of continual snacking and junk food, so I am trying to counter that by sitting down to to beautiful meal as much as possible.

Wherever you are, please take care of yourself and your loved ones. If things get a bit much for you reach out to a friend, or reach out to me. Practice social distancing and wash your hands. Together (but at a safe distance) we can beat this thing.

The days are kind of melting into one. For the first time in years it doesn’t feel like Friday, because it just feels like any other day.

I can definitely do with a couple of days without endless conference calls.

I wonder if the weekend will bring anything more exciting? The forecast promises nice weather, hopefully I will have the opportunity to go ride my bike in the park or get outside in the sunshine.

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In the afternoon I convinced myself to go for a walk. Maybe it’s my imagination but I actually think there are less people out. The ones I do see are keeping a distance of at least 2m, which is at least a bit comforting.

In the supermarket I had a couple of memory flash backs. They have a special offer on a variety of Nederburg wine, so I took a couple of bottles home. I was even more surprised to see a selection of the Norton wines from Mendoza in Argentina! What lovely memories of visiting the vineyard just six months ago!

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The weather is grim today. Cooler than the last few days, and overcast. It feels like it reflects the gloomy mood over the city. Perhaps it is the weather, or perhaps people are just more cautious, but there are less children playing outside today. I am also feeling the gloom of it all. The whole world is in turmoil, its hard to be stuck alone at home, and nobody really knows what the future holds.

In an effort to beat the gloom, I try to take a daily walk, on different times, to avoid having to run into big groups of people. It is strange, I never thought of the reality of actively avoiding interaction with other people. On today’s walk I notice little movement. The odd person on a bike, or passing by a mother and kids on the pavement. Road traffic is limited to the odd service truck and perhaps 2 cars.

The supermarket is reasonably well stocked with most things. There is a normal selection of fresh produce and meat. The fresh milk looks about half stocked, but it could be that they are restocking in a few hours today. It is however noticeable that the shelves for macaroni is basically empty, and the toilet paper shelves is completely barren.

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There are so many memes going around about the toilet paper hoarding craze, you would think people are in agreement that it is ridiculous. But then… why is everyone buying it?

Although the weather was cooler today, there is definitely a hint of spring in the air, and on my walk I notice a lot of flowers in bloom. Some trees are already covered in blossoms, and in some places there are gardens so pretty it looks fake. It is definitely a cheerful reminder that the gloomy winter is over and the future will be alive again.

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Speaking of the future reminds me that sometimes we need to look for the past for inspiration.

Its clear Sir Isaac Newton didn’t have Netflix, but who knows what innovative idea is lying ahead of us?

I keep thinking that working from home would be better if i had a furry friend to lie at my feet while I am working. My late dog Charlie used to pick up the ball and throw it on my lap to tell me he wants to play. But then I speak to friends who are at home with their partners and all the little things are becoming bigger things. I guess you win some you lose some.

Last night at 8 there was a bit of a racket outside. I saw some people across the street clapping and others banging on a box with a stick like a makeshift drum. Afterwards I heard it was an initiative to applaud the medical staff that are working to keep the rest of the population healthy and safe.

On the bright side, I have received a parcel today. I was thinking the other day that working from home would be a treat if I could have the odd rusk with my coffee, and then I saw it: A person from the South Africans in the Netherlands community advertising that they still deliver home baked rusks from their business “Beskuitblik”

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One interesting side effect of the COVID-19 outbreak, is the positive effect on the environment. Canals in Venice are running clear, and the marine life is returning, including dolphins and swans, as per this article. There are also satellite images showing that the pollution over Italy has dramatically decreased. Similar things are reported in other parts of the world where pollution levels have dropped much lower than ever before. Unexpectedly, this is a wake-up call for what a large impact we have on our environment, and how much of it is in our control. If only we take it seriously and do something about it. In this time of strangeness and worry, it is good to see some positives too.

It is day 2 of the situation. People are working from home nearly everywhere. Friends and colleagues from London, New York, Philadelphia report they too are working from home. Everyone is reporting an adjustment to the new environment, trying to separate work life and home life in one way or another.

The internet and social media is full of tips to workout at home, and i even saw my neighbour across the street do some burpees. I wonder if his downstairs neighbour liked the idea? I currently stick to some stretches and a few yoga poses in between.

I am thankful this is happening in a time when everyone is very connected digitally, as we have the opportunity to talk and interact on many platforms.

A lot of countries are closing borders and in general everyone is advising against travel. I decided against traveling to South Africa at this point in time, as the risk of infection and/or quarantine is too high. So I will try to wait this out in my apartment in Amsterdam.

I have stocked up on enough groceries to last a couple of weeks in the event that I might be sick and want to self quarantine. Trying to be a responsible citizen and all. As long as I am in good health, however, I will try to cook with fresh ingredients and take the opportunity to cook wholesome and tasty meals.

Families with kids are out in the street and a few people are out and about, taking a jog etc. I wonder how long this will be possible, and if it is a good idea? I hope so, its good to get out and move around a bit.

Take care and be kind.