Corona, geh bitte weg.

I’ve been officially quarantined in Bamberg for 10 days now. We are all under lockdown, but to be honest, my life does not feel too restricted. We can still go on walks, play outside, and go to the grocery store, so it’s not like we are seriously locked inside with military restricting our every move like in Italy. Earlier this week, I had to stay away from my host family because a friend of mine who I had had contact with was awaiting the results of a corona virus test and so I didn’t want to infect anybody in case I also had the virus. Thankfully, her test results were negative, so on Thursday I was able to spend some time with my host family. I felt like a celebrity when I came upstairs, we were all so happy to see each other because it had been 10 days!

I thought I was gonna go a little crazy in my basement, but I managed to keep myself busy. I did a 1000 piece puzzle, I made some videos, and I’ve been working on scrapbook everyday. Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon have been doing their late night shows from their houses and I’ve watched those videos everyday because they bring me lots of joy. Honestly, my life is pretty boring right now, but really everybody’s life is pretty boring right now. I’ve had a lot of time to FaceTime and Skype with friends and family so that’s been a huge positive of this quaran-time. I’ve searched for apartments for 5 years from now, I’ve planned all of my imaginary vacations for the next 10 years, I’ve planned my imaginary low-budget wedding (you’re all invited but it’s byob), and I’ve made several goal lists. There’s lots of planning going on over here. I’ve binge watched a few series, watched all three “Freaky Friday” movies on Disney+ and I finally watched Frozen 2.

On Saturday, the weather was gorgeous and so I went for a hike in the woods and as I was walking I passed by a man and his wife and I said good morning and he asked if I was just all alone in the woods and I said yes, but I was okay on my own. He immediately recognized my non native German accent and asked where I’m from and we ended up talking for like 10 minutes. We kept 6 feet distance.

If the Corona virus had to come, it chose a good time in my life to come. It came at a time where I have no job I am really able to lose and where I am in a country with amazing health care. I’m very lucky and my heart goes out to everyone who’s being financially and emotionally affected by this booger of a virus. Who knows how long this will last? I certainly have no clue, but for the time being, this is the time to enjoy the little things in life. Music, books, art, family, nature, chocolate, pasta, everything!

On that note, I hope everyone has a safe and healthy week and that we all stay entertained!