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!
This is my Berlin – In Prenzlauerberg!
This is my Berlin – In Prenzlauerberg! ©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
Hey!
It’s me.
Trying my best to entertain you so that you don’t end up down in the dumps, what with the signs of warm weather n’ all that.
A foreign country might be off-limits right now, but there’s nothing wrong with social distancing.
In
Your
Own
You know.
The village / town / mountaintop / valley or city that you live in.
It might not be exotic.
It might not be exciting.
‘Possibly even boring.
But it’ll be home.
And safe.
Ha! I never thought I’d used that word – saaaaafe – but there you have it.
Berlin is now home and has been for umpteen amount of years.
And as I said last week, Covid-19 isn’t going away any time soon, so that leaves the question of whether I will be travelling abroad anytime soon.
The answer is no.
Obviously!
However, as movement has become a little more relaxed, I’ve been walking around my little piece of heaven in Berlin.
Otherwise known as Prenzlauerberg.
Prenzlauerberg is the artistic quarter of East Berlin and has a long history of activism, bohemian lifestyle, Berlin art scene, bourgois gentrification and family-friendly yuppiedom, brought about by wealthy Germans and expats from America, Scandinavia, and Britain, such as myself …
Oops!
Coronavirus: What to do so you don’t feel the urge to panic!
Moreover, I’m at home.
And even though I live in Berlin.
My company – H&D – An HCL Technologies Company – is actually in Lower Saxony, otherwise known as Niedersachsen!
My office was like a ghost town, but after having a meeting and a vote – it’s Germany after all – I collected my laptop, training material & most of the books & audio material I might need, and left!
Since March 17th, I’ve been able to work from the comfort & safety of my home.
And garden!
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Germany – June 2019
However, as I like to remind you often.
I live in Germany.
In an awesome town called Berlin.
Actually, it’s a city.
But who’s checking?
If you’re tired of reading bad news or anything at all about covid19, 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 eight weeks (we’re on the 9th) 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 most cases, wear face masks in public.
In Germany, the rules are as follows (May 6th):
GERMANY!
1. No socialising, but members of two households are allowed to meet up
2. You MUST keep a distance of at least 1.5 – 2 metres
3. Visiting public places as well as for people in hospitals, care homes, pension homes and facilities for people with disabilities can receive regular visits from one designated contact person, provided there are no active COVID-19 cases in the facility. Face masks or coverings MUST be used
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. The gradual re-opening of religious buildings, museums, zoos and playgrounds are to take place around the country. Schools have also begun to open at a steady pace, with the hope that all children will be home-schooling and back in the classroom, on a part-time basis by May 29th
6. Shops, department stores and shopping centres / malls, etc. are now open up, but with strict hygiene and social distancing measures still in place
7. Private parties in public areas, homes and private institutions are a huge No-no!
8. Restaurants and cafés are now allowed to open but special distancing and strict hygiene measure must continue to be in place, as well as special opening hours
9. Service providers such as hairdressers, cosmetics studios, massage & tattoo salons, etc. are now open, but with strict protective measures
10. Hotels will be allowed to accept guests from May 25th, and depending on the individual federal states, travel visits to or from friends and relatives, is allowed, but distance and hygiene rules are to be enforced. EU travel tourism in neighbouring countries is still in discussion, but day trips or worldwide travel of any kind, is absolutely not allowed, until at least June 14th
Please Note: The measures above apply until June 5th. Perhaps longer, depending on what happens between then and now!
However, if a sudden new spike of at least 50 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants over a 7-day period in infections occurs, an “emergency mechanism” will kick in, and new restrictions prior to April 20th, will be imposed.
Gulp!
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!
Meanwhile, don’t forget.
My advice eight 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, and the stock market isn’t more important than people’s lives, but given the closeness, speed, reliance and ease in which we connect via global trade or travel, is a real legitimate worry.
Start thinking about a staycation as most regions around the world, are under some sort of re-opening lockdown.
In fact, this might be the the time to jump in your car / on your bike, and explore where you live.
Yep!
It’s time to stay home and explore!
But remember, no jumping on the nearest plane and causing havoc abroad!
Just ‘cos there’s a relaxation of lockdown doesn’t mean that Covid-19 has disappeared.
It hasn’t.
It’s still very much with us and likely to be around for quite some time!
So if you’re looking for a change of scenery, stay local!
Even better, stay home!
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.
THIS IS MY BERLIN!
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.
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
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!
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Here’s the link again: http://wordpress.com/refer-a-friend/qyyjJjnfWBnRGPVRj0V
So here are some really interesting photos that I took in my neighbourhood of Prenzlauerberg. In my beloved Berlin.
OMG!
Eek!
Here we go!
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
Phew!
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!
THIS IS MY BERLIN – IN PRENZLAUERBERG!
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
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.
May 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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6 Comments on “This is my Berlin – In Prenzlauerberg!”
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Interesting photos about your neighborhood of Prenzlauerberg, I love the one of a scarecrow wearing a face mask…lol. Sounds like Germany is progressing very well indeed with relaxing the lockdown rules. I am envious that you can visit another household…I would love to be able to visit my son in London and my daughter in Brighton. I would also love to go out for a restaurant meal, here at the moment we are only allowed take away restaurant meals. Fingers crossed we will also progress in the right direction. Best wishes to you and your family.
Haw! Haw! I love the scarecrow too and thought it hilarious, but also re-face masks, very contemporary!
Yes, legally we can visit another household. But only one. We’re hoping to visit the German side of the family very soon, as they are in different parts of Germany but we’re still going to give it a few more weeks as they are all healthy and living in their own, albeit large homes, but are late 70’s / 80 year olds!
Restaurants and cafes are open in Berlin too but I’m prone to err on the side of caution for now. Having said that, I am dismayed and worried as to how the UK is faring re the handling of Covid-19.
Fingers crossed for us all.
Thanks for sharing these photos!
I’ve been getting my dose of international travel through a wonderful podcast called Scran, produced by the staff of Scotsman Food & Drink website. Currently on season 2, “Scran” covers the food and drink scene of Scotland. Great way to remember my travels to Edinburgh!
Thanks so much Elisa!
We must all do our share of responsible local travel in order to flatten the curve, and mine is in Berlin.
I’m so glad you liked it! 😀
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