Lockdown in Paris - Week 1

Tuesday 17 - Monday 23 March

First week of lockdown in Paris. Setting up two home offices and one home school. Cooking something nice for the family every.single.day. No take-aways nor afterwork drinks in neighbourhood bars. Tea time by zoom with the family, Skype apéros (Skyperos) with friends. Calling my parents in Spain every day. Applauding the medical staff every evening at 8 pm with the neighbours, either from our windows or balconies.

Longing for photowalks in Paris. Why on earth the weather needs to be so beautiful when one cannot go out? Going out on Friday morning to buy food for the whole week. I’m the designated shopper for the whole family, otherwise we would end up eating chips, peanuts and pork chops seven days a week. Bought myself some flowers to celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary. This first weekend of confinement I was supposed to be in Manchester, attending the Phlock Live 2020 photography event now postponed to next March.

I thought days would be very long, but on the contrary, there does not seem to be enough time for everything I’m planning to do. Like learning a new skill (Photoshop, in my case). I seem to have slowed down in every aspect. The idea of having to commute to work again one day scares me. Very privileged to be fully equipped and able to work from home. Impressed by my son’s self discipline with homework.

Day 1 : Tuesday 17 March 2020

Day 2 : Wednesday 18 March 2020

Day 3 : Thursday 19 March 2020

Day 4 : Friday 20 March 2020

Day 5 : Saturday 21 March 2020

Day 6 : Sunday 22 March 2020

Day 7 : Monday 23 March 2020

ParisMerja Varkemaa