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?
Berlin’s luxury department store felt a bit strange this season. Every year I visit the seven floor Kudamm fashion temple during Chrstimas for a glass of Champagne. Then I grab a few gifts and items. Happily the food floor was open. But, due to the recent strict lockdown the shopping floors have been mothballed and bars were closed.
Berlin, like the rest Europe, entered another lockdown today. Will this work? The air of growing uncertainty cannot be ignored. Supposedly for only 30 days, then the curve will be under control. Bars, restaurants and gyms have closed. Citizens are understandably a bit frustrated by the backward step handling of the Corona Virus. Once Merkel garnered international praise for her calm handling of the pandemic. Today Covid-19 has marched past Chancellor. Her once precision decision making skills seems reactionary.
At least Germany is not France. The 450 mile/724 kilometres traffic jam of Parisians fleeing the capital made global headlines. Is this a new form of Gallic public defiance? The French have become weary of Macron’s decrees. Or to put it simply, “The masses no longer have faith in the leader”. Uneasy is the head that wears the crown.
Patience has run out in Spain and Italy. Riots continue to shake their respective cities. The governments of the two Latin countries are behaving as parents in a store with uncontrollable children. But the children no longer believe the parents have their best interest at heart. Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez veers from one pronouncement to another. He is losing control.
The UK will enter a new lockdown on Thursday. Prime Minister Johnson is one step away from open political revolt. There will be no praise for the British head’s fumbling. The very “Britisness” of the system worked against him.
And it is only November.
#Berlin and the rest of #Germany has entered a partial #lockdown. I can honestly say after several conversations many have lost faith in #Merkel and the government on the #COVID19 issue. All is uncertain. #coronavirus #newnormal #mondaythoughts #Covid_19 #coronavirusdeutschland pic.twitter.com/aJKBJJkqwW
— BlackandPaper (@BlackandPaper1) November 2, 2020
A new Podcast Coming Soon-What happens when the guy who delivers packages has a pressing bigger package not in his hand?
Vector from FreePik.
Before the lockdown many fashion magazines were under pressure. Are they relevant during an ongoing pandemic? As consumers face stark choices, the existence of many publications looks uncertain. Editions cut. Titles closed. Selling bling is out of style.
Check out our video on the matter.
The big department stores reopened on Saturday. The early turn out, light. I observed curiosity, people looking around, but no shopping. It is still too early to make a verdict. Perhaps, shoppers will return in the future. But in the New Normal large shops feel like dinosaurs. A species from a bygone era.
The “New Norma”l is not normal. Berlin is feeling the psychological impact of the Coronavirus. Although the German capital has not been as hard hit compared to other regions of the country, the effects cut across the city.
Stores have opened, yet people continue to stay away. The retail experience is almost a prozac nightmare. Cordoned off areas of stores, lines to enter, no dressing rooms, mandatory wearing of face masks.
The city has eased the lockdown but shoppers are staying away from malls. Demand has dissolved. The “New Normal” for the short term means less consumption.
What makes it hard to buy? The constant reminders of the Coronavirus. A Mood killer!
Berlin partially lifted the lockdown form the Coronavirus Crisis. Stores up to 800 meters may open. But the limits are as follows: A limited number of people allowed for 20 meters. Sounds easy, but Soviet Union 1975, people standing in line waiting to get in a store.
I wanted to see it for myself. As one of the first major cities to reopen, the German capital could represent life with Covid-19. A living petri dish of the “New Normal”.
Shopping experience in a Post Lockdown world means distance.
I went to a denim shop in the city center for a pair of jeans. The sales person, a friend, was sitting outside as I came up. I entered the store with a mask in my hand, but he wearing his. There was tape on the floor to mark the 2 meter space in front of sales desk. Funny, the store felt a bit bare. I asked what happened. The previous collection was sent back to the head office. It did not sell. The carry over pieces are available until the Spring looks arrive.
I asked about business. A mixed reaction. He preferred people stay at home, not window shop. Better to call ahead for a pair of pants. It is safer. But the lack of buyers concerned him. If the lack of customers continued he feared the store would close in a matter of months. I got a pair of new jeans for the spring.
I walked around the shopping area, all the boutique shops looked empty. A street once filled with people, tumble weeds could have rolled across. A few stores marked down items at 70%. Few takers.
A bit strange walking into a sore filled with salespeople wearing masks and warning signs of a virus. Even asking a staff member 2 meters aways felt awkward. Next time I think Whats App.
The Mitte mega mall, Alex, had more employees than customers. To enter, shoppers have to go through line control. Once shopping was about connivence, now, drudgery. Opened for business but no shows. The public stayed away on the first opened day after 5 weeks in lockdown.
Stay Tuned for more.