Another flight during COVID - the usual situation except that this time, after changing in Frankfurt I arrived at the new Berlin Airport, opened several years late, but finally opened a couple of months ago. I had decided to take the COVID test there instead of Frankfurt, to see what it would be like and thus be able to better plan for my pre-departure test 2 weeks later. We'll I certainly saw something... whilst spending almost 5 hours standing outside in the freezing cold in, basically, a car park in a very long, socially distanced queue. Not pleasant at all, but eventually having also missed the connecting flight due to delays (de-icing airplanes), I eventually got to see the family.
Germany still allows close family members to come out of quarantine with a negative test, but the lock down in place in Germany was tight, and so, for what it matters, this would be my first time living in a real lock-down, only allowed to see 1 other household or something like that (which would be Andrea's parents) though Kids don't count so they could still see a friend. The Christmas week involved regular lunches and dinners at Andrea's parents house, regular walks in the forest with the dogs, regular runs, and managing the kids' time indoors between TV, Computer games, Board Games, playing with toys and some exercise. There was also a couple of BBQs outside with a single other family (and a bonfire to keep warm) with sausages and mulled wine of course.
We found a nice new playground the other side of town and convinced the kids to cycle there and back a few times, which was good exercise. We also convinced them to do a fairly long walk in the forest once too, which they enjoyed - making it interesting looking at various trees, rocks or sticks; climbing up the little towers in the fields that are there for farmers to look out for animals and so on. Having a friend along helped.
All of the outdoors activity took place in the freezing cold with temperatures around zero all week. One day there was snow whilst we were walking; every day there was frost on cars and ice on lakes. Actually there were frequently blue skies, much to the disappointment of the kids who wanted more snow (they might get it in the second week of January). But nothing that lots of clothes, hats, scarves and gloves cannot deal with. Certainly a change from Nairobi, especially the morning run! Another big change has been the short hours. The last three winters I had spent in Africa and thus forgotten what it is like when it gets dark at 4pm and light at 8am.
The days are short, the nights are long and there is not a lot to do during these days. Still, nothing wrong with getting a lot of sleep! I suppose without COVID there could be more trips to shops, or like in October, more trips to bigger cities that would have things happening (especially Christmas markets). Germans are quite keen on Christmas decorations outside houses, especially with a Santa Claus climbing out of a window or on a ladder alongside the decorative lights.
There was a fun experience for Christmas Eve as the kids were ordered out of the house whilst Santa delivered the presents. They came back to initially find a sack of coal, and then inside to find the presents which were mostly toys (boats, cars etc) and chocolate, though a second tablet now means each child has their own for games and TV. Parents watched on as kids screamed in joy. Surprisingly most of the Kids' chocolate still hasn't been eaten yet a few days later. I suppose we've done a good job drilling into them that they can't eat too much. Even if the adults' chocolate has disappeared quicker!
Essential shops remain open with limits on numbers inside, but everything else is closed, so this seems to be the first time in a very long time to spend so much time not doing anything! There are not even many work calls or emails as everyone in Kenya is also on vacation. Usually Christmas or other holidays have actually involved holidays somewhere in Africa or Asia, or occasionally in the UK. We'll we're managing with some school work, computer games (some educational), TV (some educational), board games, art and exercise. Certainly we are very fortunate: We still have jobs, warm homes and family to be with. Though as I write this several family members in the UK have tested positive. Fingers crossed, and we will see how things go in the next few days.
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