Time passes
Things change
COVID still haunts people and countries.
Changed the trajectories of many who foresaw
a whole different life
not smiles hidden behind masks
constant Health checks via apps
In one shop- check
next shop- check
Constant
Hands held out- yes 36 deg C again
Not allowed in the taxi unless you show your health check.
It is tiring, yet there are no cases in Beijing so something must be working.
Winter is gradually losing its tight grip and no more do we huddle against the wind and a temperature of minus 20.
I see the leaf painted trees, emerging from the cold into a slowly warming spring.
The air is heavy with haze of who knows what- over 250ppm some days and we have inddr recess and lunch as it is too unhealthy.
Beijing is a city, like other cities across the world- large, busy, rushing, crowded.
Yet to wander in the temples, and in the mountains offers a sanctuary from this thing we call Beijing. Our holidays are gone, ripped from us by COVID so no travels to distant provinces.
For foreigners? We have yet to be notified of vaccinations- and we want to travel, and constantly hark back to those days of ease, hopping on and off planes at will. Our globe has changed as have expectations and no country is any different.
Can I return to Australia? Judging by the numbers hoping to get home, I doubt it as it is capped. No other country rejects entry by its citizens. If I go back, will they let me leave? Would my reason pass Peter Dutton's people? Its a all a bit of a lottery these days. Can I get a visa to USA? Only if Trump's proclamations are removed , those regarding China.It's all a matter of waiting to see what changes will occur.
Oh well
The gym has finally opened and it is warm enough to walk outside again, masked ! I have no objections to the mask- it should be mandatory everywhere.
Sunday morning coming down.......
