Like many of you around the world, my life has changed during COVID-19. I’m grateful to be healthy and at home self-isolating. As the guidance in the UK is that we can leave the house once daily to shop for essentials and for a walk or run, I have occasionally been leaving the house. During this time, I have captured photos to showcase what my life has been like here and wanted to share them with you.
An Empty City Of London
At the end of March, I had to go into the city of London just before it was put on an official lockdown for an immigration appointment for my Indefinite Leave To Remain. Indefinite Leave To Remain is like a permanent green card in the UK, so it’s a pretty big deal. It was a very stressful time for me, questioning if the appointment would still happen, plus wondering what would happen if I could not have the appointment and my visa expired.
I’m so grateful that I could still go to my appointment and took every safety precaution possible. As I arrived to my appointment a bit early, I was told that I could not enter the building until my exact timeslot. The challenge? Nothing was open, so I walked around the empty city streets to capture the moment. You would never normally see this part of London so empty on a Friday at lunchtime.
I have not written a blog post yet on my Indefinite Leave To Remain journey, but you can read about how I came to the UK and more about the visas I have been on here: https://thesavvybostonian.com/2020/01/celebrating-5-years-in-london-sharing-my-story-advice-on-moving-to-london/
Messages Of Support For The NHS
A wonderfully unexpected development of our time at home is that many people have created signs of support for the NHS to display in their windows. Every Thursday at 8pm GMT, all of my neighbors open their windows and clap or bang on pots and pans with wooden spoons to say thank you to the NHS. I participate every week. In this time of self-isolation, I have actually seen more of my neighbor’s faces than before this time.
Even Paddington Bear is dressed up in a mask with a gold NHS heart.
London In Bloom
Our time in self-isolation has corresponded with the most gorgeous spring weather in London. Spring is truly is one of my favorite times in London. I love seeing the city in bloom. From the cherry blossoms to wisteria, and more, here are a few photos snapped in between walks to the grocery store and a few of my permitted exercise runs.
Seeing My Favorite Parks Empty
I’m really fortunate to be within walking distance of quite a few famous London parks – Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill, and Hyde Park. While I haven’t ventured to Hyde Park yet, I have seen Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill parks pretty empty. Compared to the crowds that would normally gather during a gorgeous warm weather day, it was something to see.
Below is Primrose Hill park.
This gem below is from my happy place, Regent’s Park.
Messages Of Support From Local Businesses
In my walks, I’ve also noticed quite a few sweet messages posted by local businesses. They’re a great reminder that this will pass and that we will meet again. I truly feel for all of the businesses that have had to close their doors during this time. It’s incredibly difficult and I hope that our local businesses can weather this storm and that we will get to visit them again when this is all over.
Final Thoughts
This blog post shares a few of my observations about my life in London over the past few weeks. I didn’t go too deep here, as I know everyone’s experiences are different and that many people are suffering. I am happy to share more on how I am coping and how I am spending my time if that is of interest to you. Just let me know in a comment below :).
I’m sending my love and hope that you are doing well.