Living the partial lockdown life

After last post’s business with illness, arrival of the pandemic in Gabon etc., here a bit calmer – My current life influenced by research, love and the pandemic:

Tuesday, 07 April: In the afternoon, Stasie and I went to town and found that during the day, some restaurants are actually still open. The reduced offer and emptimess of the location showed, how many small business owners already suffer.

Wednesday, 08 April: Short excursus to Germany: Fina had job interview and now I can already tell You we have a future nurse. I’m always proud of You, sister-friend. Less housemates = more space in campus kitchen, more pots for Your own use. But also less possibility to hide when it’s You who wasn’t cleaning…

Thursday, 09 April: Advantages of the ban of assemblies in Germany: I can slowly start partaking in my Hamburg life again, e.g. attending the UAEM skype call! Disadvantages of typical Gabonese internet connection: I actually could not attend this meeting after all.

Friday, 10 April: As people with the best memory among You will remember, sadly Good Friday is no public holiday here. Anyways, Wilfrid and I now have this ever empty office every day.

Sunday, 12 April: To honor the resurrection of Jesus, we had a Easter prayer and breakfast at Jacob’s place, followed by a lazy day.

Monday, 13 April: Today I was running after a discharge report for my hospitalisation. Private health insurance gives You work, especially when it’s international.

Tuesday, 14 April: Today I received notice that my flights back to Germany have been cancelled – unsurprisingly considering the flight ban in Gabon and the complete stop of Turkish Airlines flights. For now, I will see when or how to get home.

Wednesday, 15 April: For months I didn’t care, but now I regularly watch Tagesschau, preferably with Jacob.

Thursday, 16 April: Guessing game Pt I: What is he doing in the picture? In the hope of arriving in my new apartment within the next few weeks, I ordered a bed today. I ordered just after 3pm, it arrived just before 6pm. Who can top that? This evening I had my first ever Zoom call, with my mentoring group around Prof. Michael. It was very pleasant and helpful!

Friday, 17 April: Today was Gabonese National Women’s Rights Day and thus a public holiday. As always definitely only announced the day before… Guessing Game Pt II: What is he doing in the picture?

Saturday, 18 April: We had one of our casual tennis matches (I still cannot play this sport for my life). In the evening, we ate very delicious moussaka at Jacob’s.

Sunday, 19 April: A very Sunday kind of Sunday.

Monday, 20 April: Today the online semester started in Hamburg, and I’m in! Following Prof. Michael’s suggestion from Thursday’s meeting, I enrolled at short notice to avoid missing out in June, in case I should not be home already. Also, we have an obligation to wear face masks now so in the morning every employee got one.

You see this virus is forcing a calmer lifestyle and endurance of many insecurities on us, but we’re still creating a nice little life.

See You, take care,

Doro

438 days in Lambaréné, Gabon

21+ days until Hamburg?