And just like that 2020 is commencing...There had been a lack of words to share in a blogpost for the past months in quarantine. The reason behind this negligence in writing revolves around my diversion of thoughts towards my PhD and well, towards other forms of the art object upon which my own “artist” heart indulges. It has its own coping strategy. My heart on art is probably, never full.
On a rather positive note, the lockdown had and is still making me enjoy Edinburgh even more. Albeit the restrictions imposed in a quite global scale “to stay home”, our community in this part of the world is encouraged to take exercises every so often that I take it as an opportunity to explore wonderful places nearby. That being said, I realised I am capable of a lockdown survival, only with a bit of freedom to walk when I need to so I can be totally fine. At present, I am enjoying life as it deemed fleeting- that the wilting flora can be a source of hope for a new season that blooms right after, each shifting shades of greens are now oranges of delight. Summer is over and Autumn is entering the world as if they are bringing in a different hue of joy. While everyone is stressing out their emotions through their social media, of which I am also enjoining by sharing to family and friends images of Edinburgh and memories of home, I can also say that there is calm in this lockdown life. The anxiety of experiencing this shift to what is considered peculiar is balanced with longer days spent in the company of my friends and family. I was able to experience new places by walking weekly with June- exploring the Water of Leith, Blackford Hill, Lochend Park, Duddingston Loch, Portobello, and other places around the city. I was also able to do meaningful lockdown afternoons over a cuppa with Rob and his mum, sometimes over at Dobbie’s, Craigie’s, Tesco, or Morrisons, and once, with the whole fam over some barby. We also had random days taking in short walks to the nearby Scotmid Co-op or taking in a longer walk as we ditched the car and savoured the wonderful open spaces around the Dundas Castle before reaching Tesco. These views all taken in while I walk, had been a refuge from the usual views inside the corners of my room. And just a month ago, I was also blessed with a longer stay at Kuya and James in Birmingham and Yorkshire- which meant a wonderful spread of 3-course meals almost daily- probably one of the best meals I had this lockdown (aside from the healthier spread that is prepared for me sometimes with a smiley on a plate of greens. He’s been adorable). And while it has been oddly aghast to actually write wonderful thoughts when the world is breaking down, I still do for there is hope, or I believe so. There are ways to see the silver lining and mine has always been in the simple things I experience. I end it with that photo of the hill I love going to when I can- Blackford Hill has the majestic view of the city and the Pentlands- places I will adore in this lifetime. |
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Lifeisatravelogue by CDSNadal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. |