covid19-lockdown-in-paris-week7

The eight and last week of lockdown in France. Strangely, it is also the most difficult one. Lockdown is an acquired taste; hard to swallow first but then one ends up asking for a second helping. What seemed endless in the beginning was actually a bead of 55 days that slipped through my fingers one after another. I read somewhere that 65 000 lives were saved in France as the whole nation stayed at home and respected social distancing. We are very lucky not to have any victims within our family, friends or neighbours. I would be writing a completely different story if that was the case. Personally, I would have preferred the lockdown to last for a couple of more weeks in Paris and other metropoles in badly affected areas.

When all this began, I was under the illusion that once the lockdown was lifted, it would be like the Libération de Paris at the end of WW II or France winning the soccer world championships : everybody celebrating on the streets, kissing and hugging. On the contrary, it is now that the real struggle begins and unfortunately, we have not seen the last of the ugly invisible face of the virus. We need to be ever so careful and not to give in to the feeling of false security.

During this last week of lockdown we are nicely installed in our routine. My nesting syndrome only lasted few weeks; no frantic scrubbing nor disinfecting doorknobs any more - I’m back to my usual sloppy housekeeping. I still have not browsed a single book nor have I advanced in my pursuit of mastering Photoshop. But, baby steps, baby steps: I ordered and picked up a pile of books from a neighbourhood bookstore who started online reservations this week. I’m planning to read all the books running for the Prix du Livre Inter 2020, hoping that this challenge will motivate me to read more in French. I continue the photo walks (within the allowed one hour/one kilometer limit) in the neighbourhood. There are new signs of activity: many restaurants have started take away services and others are renovating their premises. To my relief, our favorite terrace is under renovation, which is a good sign that they will stay in business. Facial masks seem to be the hottest street wear these days.

Our whole street keeps clapping the healthcare workers every evening at 8 pm. There are more and more people participating and during the weekends there is a festive ambience. Some families wear fancy costumes and improvise an open air disco on their balconies. Different flags are hung across the street, maybe I should ask them to hang the Finnish one as well. Yesterday late at night we witnessed torrential rain and even lightnings, it was spirit lifting to see young people dancing in the rain, soaked to the bone.

One of the happiest moments of the lockdown was seeing my son’s face when he realised that he had grown and caught up with me hight wise. His expression was priceless.

I made myself and the family a nice meal for the Finnish Mother’s Day as cooking is not one of the virtues of my other ways talented husband. For the French Mother’s Day on 7 June, we will order some sushis. Somehow I doubt that the restaurants would be open by then. And we are finishing this lockdown with a bottle of champagne, here’s to saving lives by staying at home.

man-and-boy-looking-out-of-windows-lockdown-in-paris.jpg — stay safe friends!

This is not the end of the virus

Lockdown in Paris - Week 8