With Planet Earth in lockdown, our industry at a standstill and many of us in self-isolation or quarantine at home, or grounded, this is our blog for you – it’s a way to share stories within our community, to form solidarity and foster a sense of belonging.
Short essays on what we are each doing, how we are getting through this darkest hour in travel, how are we handling withdrawal symptoms from travel, what we intend to do with this down time, a word we want to focus on, a wish we have or simply, an important topic you want to share with your travel friends at this time.
Lisa Katsouraki, head of corporate development, Etraveli Group
Cooking and running in Athens
My name is Lisa and It’s been more than two months since my last flight. Today (19 April) is the Greek Orthodox Easter. Last night we celebrated with fellow balcony and terrace strangers in the centre of Athens. We wished each other well as we watched fireworks. The people living in the building across the road had colonised the roof terrace with lit candles at hand as per custom. And while I am not particularly religious, I did the same in solidarity. Funny how we take comfort in such acts.
Lockdown came along with springtime. Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, I have taken up running (sms #6: exercise) usually jogging around the national gardens and the surrounding abandoned touristic areas. Just me, few others, who like me have clearly never jogged before, and the pigeons looking mighty athletic these days, as a friend rightly observed, in the absence of the feeding tourist hand.
Exercise has been essential given the cooking repertoire expansion, the frequency of kitchen visits and refrigerator runs. After having perfected a few dishes I plan to never speak of this again once we get out of our homes. By which time, the burn in my finger that has rendered me unrecognisable to my phone will be back to normal and all evidence will have been wiped clear.
What will remain with me is the reflection of these times and the love for learning. Online courses, virtual tours (kudos to activity operators for moving fast on this one), music and who knows, maybe this time next year I’ll be fluent in Swedish. All adding a new perspective and a colourful note.
As far as keeping in touch with the outside world, aside from work, I try to make time for virtual fika (Swedish tradition) every day with at least one colleague, as well as with someone outside work I don’t regularly speak with. No agenda, or specific items to discuss, just catching up. It’s been a great opportunity to connect with old friends and get better acquainted with colleagues. It’s been very refreshing and energising.
We are all in this together. Ping if you want to catch up.
Until we are all back here’s some #greecefromhome
Below: Sounds of nature in the National Gardens of Athens
Note: We will be running this blog for as long as we need to, to get us through this. If you wish to contribute, please send your essays to Siew Hoon. Send images too, it’s your story.
