I had to go into Manhattan yesterday. It was weird.
The buildings are the same, the subway runs fine... but there are no crowds. Just a handful of workers. Being in places that are normally congested, without crowds, feels odd. It's comfortable if you forget why the city is empty.
I'll never forget the experiences of this year.
Isn't it a strange feeling when you visit a place that was once your everyday route. It is crazy how people can get attached to a specific street, a local place and feeling all kinds of things when passing by years later.
ReplyDeleteYup. Exactly.
DeleteThat must have been a strange experience. Antwerp, unfortunately, is back to its busy old self. But I do remember during our lockdown in March/April, when all the shops Etc. were closed, I went for a walk along Antwerp's eerily quiet main shopping street! Great mask, by the way! xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks. I hear Europe might have to lock down again soon if the virus comes back bad enough.
DeleteSuch a strange feeling, right? I’m sad I didn’t have the chance to visit in March before Mila was born but the plans I had were canceled due to the pandemic and I can’t recall the last time i was in the city 😩 too long! Hope you enjoyed your time and this will pass one day! Xoxo
ReplyDeleteYes it will. And then this will just be a weird memory.
DeleteOur city is busy, but not the 'normal' busy that was pre-pandemic times. There is an under current of fear out there, it feels like it is lurking or pressing to find an entry way. The malls are all but empty, down town is very quiet for the most part. For me it has been a year if change, finding strength and fonding joy in simple things. I am however filled with angst over the coming winter and what flu season may bring along with the increasing threat of the 2nd wave of covid. We've been lucky to date with a low case count on the island, but the numbers are slowly creeping up across Canada. My co-workers who have young kids are all on edge with every sniffle, cough, runny nose, or sore throat. People are so fatigued. I'm not sure what our new normal will be post pandemic, but hope we have learned lessons and will be better prepared for the next pandemic, the world was woefully unprepared.
ReplyDeleteI grasp everything you say. Hang in there, buddy.
DeleteOh gosh, everything that Dar is saying! It does feel tense out there, but places are busy, and there are lots of folks around, although most of them seem to have grasped "Masks = Good". In the early days, when I was walking to and from the office during lockdown, it was like a ghost town, not a single car or person for blocks.
DeleteLove your snakeskin print mask!
Thanks, Sheila.
DeleteIt really is a strange feeling. Nashville though, it's reopened too fast. The whole state, but our city has been awful. Just this past week a Christian "protest" (read: concert) drew 9-10,000 people without masks or social distancing. Coming off the heels of the infamous "Fashion House Party" and the damn Titans being a cluster of cases, I'm deeply disappointed in my city.
ReplyDeleteThe mythical They say our local economy will be better for it... But at what cost.
Looks like you're following my personal rule of picking a particularly snazzy mask for making PPE a little more fashion. Yes it sucks we need them, but it makes the process a little better by picking fun prints and colors.
Tensions are definitely high all around. My job is technically in the city. I've been playing mediator since I returned. My highly sensitive group of pros are burned out. I've been bringing (healthy) snacks to leave for those working to help bolster spirits.
Sorry to hear about the irresponsibility of folks in your area. New Yorkers seem to take the virus more seriously since we were hit first and remember the panic of those days.
DeleteEarly on I realized masks were going to be with us for a while so I figured I'd get a stylish one. I picked up this beauty before stores even re-opened.
I like your funky mask Ally! You look cool! I have a few masks now and I like them all being funky and different!
ReplyDeleteIt must have been weird to be in London. I've not been up to London since March but I imagine it would be similar. I'm really sad that I can't go on my holiday with my dad now because we've got this sudden change to tier 2 of the lockdown and safety measures- but I'm only 2 miles away from the border to the next area which is still tier 1- sigh. But I will not break the rules- I will do what is right but I won't be able to spend time with my dad like planned. Hope you are ok friend.x
I'm sorry. I wish you had freedom to do as you please. Hang in there.
DeleteI wish it was more weird around here. People in Wisconsin are obsessed over their "freedom". I don't really feel comfortable going to many places around here because I just don't feel like anyone is taking things seriously.
ReplyDeleteThankfully the Twin Cities aren't far from me and I feel that people in MN are being a little smarter. So when I do need to get out I try to head over that way.
Sorry to hear. Ignoring a virus doesn't make it disappear.
DeleteCool mask. I imagine it must feel so odd seeing Manhattan, a place usually full of people, empty.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely a strange year- and I'm sure a very strange feeling to go into the city where you're so used to so many people- only to find it mostly empty!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Very strange and unsettling. :( I wonder how long it'll take before cities don't resemble some post-apocalyptic hellscape.
ReplyDeleteThere is something powerfully, almost palpably otherworldly about seeing once thriving cityscapes turned into near ghost towns. I can easily imagine that such is multiplied many times over when the biggest metropolises in the world are impacted.
ReplyDeleteHopefully (fingers crossed!) it won't be too much longer until the world's streets - be they in towns large or small - are able to safely abound with activity again.
Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life