On a recent trip to the wine country of Franconia, I paid visits to two villages with wineries. This area of Germany is spangled with vineyards. The charmed settings made for pleasured experiences. I could not resist tasting a few bottles of wine. One lead to many more. The hosts took pleasure in the samplings.
Sponsored by #CanonDeu. I used the Canon SX740HS camera to record the journey.
AGAIN! Another reopening, in time for the summer. We have been through this before. A part of me thinks these lockdowns are a trail run for a societal behaviormodification program. But, a least the city opened again. Life is sort of normal. Whatever that means in 2021.
I decided to meet a good friend at the KaDeWe department store for lunch. How middle class! I got to the front entrance. If only it could have been so simple. NOPE! I woke up early to get a Covid test valid for 24 hours.
A new app has taken the stores by storm, or holding it prisoner, LUCA. All shoppers have to scan the Google bar code before entering establishments. I did not get the memo. A tall handsome blonde security person told me I could not enter without the new tracking tool.
After a twenty minute ordeal of trying to download this tracking app, the door person told us we can show the negative notice and register inside. Really Pamela Anderson! Telling us this information AFTER all the trouble. OK!
Line one for the entrance registration took 3 minutes.
Up to the food floor. All the culinary sections were roped off, one way in or out. Getting to an area was the same as a mouse in a maze searching for the cheese in the center. We decided on the Kartoffelacker, known for potato plates. But first, we had to show our Covid Status, AGAIN! Then filled out another form. Thankfully, the restaurant service was exceptionally attentive.
After 90 minutes of food, wine and chatting we decided to do some shopping in the 7 floor cathedral of consumption. Down we went to the menswear area. Sadly, nothing was on sale. On the ground floor, heaven and fun. “Dream as if you’ll live forever”, James Dean said. Talking to the sales people at Fendi and Tiffany sales people. My shopping partner loves the Blue Box jeweler.
Suddenly, I remembered an event that required a gift. Back upstairs for coffee. Guess what! AGAIN! Another form and we had to show the staff our status.
Thankfully, there is a stationary department on the 5thfloor with cards and pens. My life was saved.
Would I go back to the KaDeWe during these times?
As the world eases lockdowns, please support local restaurants. Many have been struggling during the pandemic. Your neighbourhood eatery contributes to the area, managed by small business owners.
We came up with the 7 Days, 7 Restaurants plan. The simple breakdown: go to a different locale over the a seven day period.
Stay Safe. Enjoy Life. Bon Appetite!
Entering the second year of Covid lockdowns. After 14 months, perhaps, the end of the tunnel is near. “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu. But, the uncertainty continues in every industry. Normally this time of year I’m in a work lull. Few events, not so much to cover because of the summer build up. Mens Fashion Weeks in June, Couture Week in Paris, summer film press junkets before the releases. A quick holiday, then the real work starts. September brings IFA, followed by London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. Not this year. It looks like more virtual events. Can anyone say “YIPPEE” while Zooming? Over the past two days one event after another has been cancelled for 2021. Why? The pandemic, politics combined with ineptness. As the EU grudgingly admits, their vaccine policy roll out leaves a lot to be desired. Political short comings cross boarders.
Chancellor Angela Merkel only makes pronouncements with her signature statement“There is no other way” while grabbing more power to demonstraterelevance.For those of you who thought Germans learned their lesson about blindly following leaders without questions, WELL. This writer feels better knowing Germany does not have an offensive army. Are there any wonders why the left leaning political Green Party could make history in September?
The other EU Power leader, President Macron, nothing can choke a person harder than hubris, The Gallic leader has a lot of ego to pass around. As France faces more lockdown time, the natives have grown weary. Emmanuel Macron is fighting on two fronts. His outcomes are far from certain.
With the 2022 election campaign now in swing, a political earthquake could be likely. Marie La Penn closed the polling gap. Could the French Right Wing staple lead the country? It cannot be ruled out.
Life was full of uncertainty in May 2020. What changed in 2021?
I think the one occasion many of us during the lockdowns is the ability to go out for dinner. Let’s keep hope alive. When this is all over start the celebrations. Everyone should plan today for the day of the liftings. Make a list of seven restaurants, then go a different one every night.
The first snow of the year is a moment of optimism. I grabbed the camera to make some pictures of families building snowmen.
Shopping at the KaDeWe two days before Christmas.
This year has been tuff. We made it December 1st. This is a time about celebration. Thinking about what we enjoy.
The inspiration for this tree came from Star Wars.
Black and Paper prepares for the second half of 2020. How do we do it?
Taking CUES!
There is always time for a Sparking Moment in Milan during Fashion Week.