The British Berliner
A lifestyle expat travel blog about culture, history, Brexit, the Royal Family, travels around the world, Europe, and being British in Berlin!
Stuck at home – 10 blogposts to make you cringe!
So how are you doing?
These are difficult times but it’s perfectly alright to feel scared, anxious or overwhelmed. If you’re an expat, a traveller, a tourist stuck in a country not your own, or simply wish to talk to someone and you feel overwhelmed, panicky or frightened, write to me at victoria@thebritishberliner.com
If you’re tired of reading bad news or anything at all about the coronavirus, check out my upbeat and funny posts here instead!
If you’re looking for a really inspiring video, the one that I would highly recommend is that of the Queen’s Speech.
And when I say, The Queen, I obviously mean no other than Queen Elizabeth II.
Her speech was lovely. I’m a loyal monarchist so I don’t mind telling you that it brought me to tears!
It’s been five weeks (we’re on the 6th) since we began to stay at home, in Germany.
Since that time, Germany has been under quarantine.
Or should be.
Sort of.
However, Europe is beginning to open up.
At a slow, but careful pace.
What this means is that social restrictions continue to be imposed.
And depending on individual countries, government instructions continue to stipulate that large gatherings and socialising are banned, and that we MUST continue to observe a distance of between 1.5 – 2 metres, and in some cases, wear face masks in public.
In Germany, the rules are as follows:
GERMANY!
1. No socialising, other than members of your own household
2. You MUST keep a distance of at least 1.5 – 2 metres
3. Visiting public places is only permitted alone, with one other person who does not live in your household, or when accompanied by members of your own household
4. Travel to work or to provide emergency care, shopping for essentials, doctors’ appointments, attendance of meetings, necessary appointments and examinations, assistance for others or sport and exercise individually out of doors, is allowed
5. Private parties in public areas, homes and private institutions are a huge No-no!
6. Restaurants and cafés are to remain closed except for the delivery and collection of take-away / take-out food, that can be consumed at home
7. Service providers such as hairdressers, cosmetics studios, massage & tattoo salons, etc. are closed
Please Note: The measures above apply until May 3rd. Perhaps longer, depending on what happens between then and now!
At a time like this, I am glad that we have a leader such as Angela Merkel.
A leader who is strong, efficient, straight to the point and tells it like it is because “Nobody likes to hear this but it is the truth. We are not living through the final phase of this crisis, we are still at its beginning. We will still have to live with this virus for a long time”.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Get the latest information from the World Health Organization about coronavirus. WHO
Because we ARE officially in the midst of a global pandemic that the World Health Organization (WHO) has labelled as a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC).
Everyone is most worried.
And we should be.
Movement of people across the planet has been grossly reduced or outright restricted.
And people are dying.
As a result, panic has struck in with people stockpiling food, looking for who is to blame by finger-pointing, reducing non-essential movement, locking down communities and closing borders.
I’m not here to tell you what rumour is right or wrong ‘cos I’m not the government and neither am I a doctor!
All I can advice you to do is NOT to go to your local doctor if you’re feeling ill, but to call or Email instead, listen to the instructions of your government as per where you should or shouldn’t go, take extra precautions with cleanliness and health, and use a bit of common sense!
If you live in America, please follow this link:
If you live in the UK, please follow this link:
If you live in Germany, please follow this link:
If you want to know what the World Health Organisation (WHO) is saying, please follow this link:
Like yourself, I’ve read so many articles about what to do and it can be scary with fake news, false rumours and even our own individual governments either wringing their hands in despair or giving out the wrong information all together!
And that’s saying something!
I’M STUCK AT HOME!
Er.
That might be so, but that’s the least of your problems.
You’ve got to live with it.
And are still dying.
Doctors and health care staff are scared, over-whelmed and ridiculously under-equipped.
People are out there every day putting their lives on the line for you and me.
People such as doctors, nurses, health care, emergency services, teachers, supermarket, food suppliers, food handling staff and delivery drivers.
Yes, delivery drivers!
Key workers without which, we probably wouldn’t get the food and supplies that we need.
Think about that.
In fact, one young lady summed it up thus:
My advice six weeks ago is still valid.
Do not travel.
Anywhere!
Because as you might have already seen, there’s a legitimate and very huge risk that if you DO travel abroad or indeed anywhere at all at the moment, you might get stuck there, your destination might have a sudden increase in outbreak, you won’t be able to get home because flights or trains have cancelled, your friends or family might get infected, you are forced into quarantine for a certain unforeseeable amount of time, and the borders have closed!
In fact, even in your own country, cities and federal states, are closing their doors to anyone going in or out!
The simple fact is, whether you like it or not, individual nations are deciding on how best to limit the spread of the Coronavirus infection.
The COVID-19 isn’t a conspiracy theory, it isn’t the end of time, but given the closeness, speed, reliance and ease in which we connect via global trade or travel, is a real legitimate worry.
In fact, forget about a staycation as most regions around the world, are under some sort of lockdown and this isn’t the time to jump in your car / on your bike, and explore where you live.
Nope!
It’s a time to go home and stay there.
It hurts me to say this but you must:
Stay.
At.
Home.
BUT I’M BORED!
I get it.
I totally understand.
There wasn’t any food.
Or toilet roll!
It makes you fearful.
It makes you scared.
You look at yourself and begin to wonder if you did or didn’t do, something that contributed to the nightmare that we’re all in.
It makes you look at people and wonder if they, caused this pandemic.
Don’t go there.
It’s only going to make you sick and even more fearful.
Think of happy things and breathe.
BREATHE!
You’ll be alright to do without.
If you’re an expat, a traveller, a tourist stuck in a country not your own, or simply wish to talk to someone and you feel overwhelmed, panicky or frightened, write to me.
LET ME HELP YOU – HERE ARE 10 BLOGPOSTS TO MAKE YOU CRINGE!
Firstly.
Stay on top of things by listening / reading the news, but don’t go mad. Watch or read once, then switch it off!
I’ve previously chosen not to write about travel but what is life, if we can’t dream.
To be sure, life will NOT be what it was before and you can expect real change about the way we choose to live, and the political leaders you can trust.
Speaking of trust. As far as travel blogs are concerned, you can trust ME!
I do NOT write about places that I haven’t personally been to.
I do NOT get paid to write on my blog.
All content will continue to remain free of charge but if you feel like buying me a cup of tea, I will graciously accept!
Buy Me A Cup of Tea!
Make A Donation Donate so that I can continue to write hilarious stories and create amazing content! Thanks so much!
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This blog is mine and I write whatever I feel like writing.
I have an M.A. in Education (Management & Training) and a BSc. in Political Science (Hons.), I KNOW what I’m talking about!
Right. Let’s go back in time for some of my most cringe-worthy activity.
OMG!
Eek!
Here we go!
- BERLIN: How I got scammed in Berlin!
- PRAGUE: The time that I fell off the ski lift in the Czech Republic!
- COPENHAGEN: How to visit Copenhagen on a budget. Even though I missed my last connection. Again!
- LIVERPOOL: How I went to Liverpool, and I wasn’t robbed!
- AMSTERDAM: I went to a sex-show in the city of red lights and thin canals: That’s right. 48 hours in Amsterdam!!
- DELHI: When the airline lost my luggage on the flight to India – Incredible India!
- BALI: The beginner’s guide to going up a volcano: because going up a volcano isn’t for everyone!
- BUCHAREST: I went to Romania. It didn’t wow me!
- SEOUL / QATAR: I went to Korea, but I should have been in Qatar!
- BRATISLAVA: Should you visit Bratislava, or stay at home and not bother!
Phew!
Put your fluffy socks on!
Once again if you can, please do stay at home, keep your distance from others, and flatten the curve!
Better to be safe than sorry.
If you want to keep up with reliable news on what’s going on around the world, you can follow me here.
Don’t forget.
Click here!
And book your luxury hotel for 2021 right here!
Don’t judge me!
STUCK AT HOME – 10 BLOGPOSTS TO MAKE YOU CRINGE!
This article is not sponsored, and all thoughts and opinions, are my very own!
A huge thanks goes to all the many doctors, nurses, healthcare staff, keyworkers and volunteers world-wide, who have and are still, putting their lives on the line in order to help others.
Thank you.
April is going to be something most of us have never ever seen in our lifetime before.
See you soon!
Watch this space!
DISCLOSURE!
Please note that The British Berliner is a participant in affiliate programmes designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to World Nomads Travel Insurance & Booking.com.
In short, there are two affiliate link companies connected to this post!
Every time one of these services is used, booked, and paid for via my link, I get a little percentage, but at no extra cost to yourself!
A win-win for all!
Note! I never travel without insurance as you never know what might happen.
I learnt my lesson in Spain. And obviously, in countries like Qatar, where technically the risk is higher, I can’t imagine going that far beyond WITHOUT INSURANCE. No siree! You can get yours here, at World Nomads!
So what are you waiting for?
Thanks a million!
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!
See you in Berlin.
If you have any questions, send me a Tweet, talk to me on Facebook, find me on LinkedIn, make a comment below or send me an Email: victoria@thebritishberliner.com
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Donate so that I can continue to write hilarious stories and create amazing content! Thanks so much!
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