covid19-lockdown-in-paris-week3

And so starts the third week. Very busy at work. Like - very busy. Days seem to fly by, before I notice it is evening again. Now that we have changed into summer time, evenings have daylight much longer, and we can actually see our neighbours at 8 pm every evening as we gather at the windows and balconies to applaud the medical staff. It is really nice, everyone has started nodding and waving hellos, whereas before the lockdown, you would hardly ever see the neighbours inside their apartments. It is the social event of the day and in a way, for me at least, divides the day between activities and family time. This Friday night, one of the young guys in an attic apartment across the street, started a loud music quizz where he made both sides of our street, even numbers and odd numbers, to participate. It lasted from midnight until 3 am and I heard nobody complaining, on the contrary. It made me realise how much I love living in a city, which I had forgotten during these weeks of confinement.

it is getting more and more difficult to find photographic inspirations in my apartment. I have started paying attention to little details that I haven’t noticed for a long time. For example, I have rediscovered the images of my toddler son decorating our toilet. They have been hanging there at least for eight years or more: I see them everyday, without seeing them.

In the mornings I admire the beautiful light entering our dining room, which is also my study and during the lockdown, the open space of our home offices. I dried the roses I bought myself for our 17th wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago and keep them close to Carmen Gaudin’s portrait as their coordinated colours please my eye so much. I keep complaining about the weather being too beautiful for confinement, but at the same time, all this gorgeous light lifts up my spirits.

Thursday is still my weekly shopping day and the only day I go out. It is strange that one feels so guilty when walking on the streets, even if it is only for an hour once a week. I feel like walking in a war zone and can almost see snipers on the roofs. This Thursday, in addition to a full shopping chart, I even dragged along a printer that we had ordered online. I really felt like a hero taking care of my family in difficult circumstances. Everything is so relative. It really makes me think how quickly situations can change. If I feel uncomfortable in my protected and cozy life here in Paris, I can only imagine how people in less fortunate circumstances feel.

Lockdown in Paris - Week 3