Just imagine, you have been asleep for the past two months. You awaken from the deep sleep. You put on your shoes and open the front door, the sound of traffic hitting your ears is for whatever reason not heard. You look down the street, everything just seems a little odd.
The neighbour that you stop to chat with on route to the shops, he crosses the road the moment he sees you. Anyone you pass tends to keep a few feet away, looking concerned. They wear gloves and masks. Further down the road, the train station often too crowded is now worryingly empty. Commuters look up to the timetable with less urgency and more confusion.
Lost.
You check the board to see the date. It must be a Sunday right?!
‘Monday’ you learn.
An announcement over the speakers thanks the population for staying home and saving lives. Advising to travel only if absolutely necessary. To do what you can to stop the ‘spread of infection’.
Infection??
Shops are shut. Adverts thank care workers for their hard work on bus stops and electric billboards. It’s apparent something major has happened. But is it all of London? The UK? The world??
You hear radio coming from a nearby house, broadcasting the words of world leaders. It is clearly further than my neighbourhood.
Only some people take to the streets. The odd police car goes by, looking as if they are keeping an eye out for groups or people that shouldn’t be out. Some people look like they are out for exercise. Some to keep everything tidy. Some because they don’t know what else to do.
Imagine if this is the world we woke up to without any prior knowledge.
If you had no signal, no family in the area, no wifi…
How would you react?
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak I am somewhat limited as to what I can do in London, but I aim to post as much as I can during this time. I promise to have some great posts coming your way once this is all over as I continue to explore London.
Stay home, stay safe and happy blogging!
Sam
Connect with me!
Have a blog you want to share? Introduce yourself here!
Using Insta? Click here for my Instagram!
Some mornings as I awake I have to take a minute to remind myself this is not a bad dream. Stay safe and we’ll look forward to your great posts on the other side of the pandemic
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is just another chapter in the bad dream that is 2020! Stay safe too Alice, thank you and I can’t wait to get out and about fully again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You just described the plot to Rip Van Winkle.
To answer your question: I would feel culture shock, maybe even future shock as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha yes I did, didn’t I? With a few differences. I guess this is the closest we can get to such a story, but I wonder if there are people out there that did sleep through the start of it (through an unfortunate accident or something similar) and woke up to this new world. Surely, right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s quite possible!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely written, Sam. Isn’t it amazing how much has changed in just two short months? It’s like a Twilight Zone episode. Thanks for helping me feel connected to London, and for being my eyes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It really is amazing, who knew at the beginning of the year how this year would have started. Crazy. And I am pleased I can give you a little insight to London, and what it currently looks like. I appreciate you following my journeys!
LikeLike
Pretty much describes my town during the usual times….hahahahaha…..
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bawhhaahaa mine too
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha, different worlds Pat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The photo of the lone guy in the park speaks volumes … one would be dazed and confused.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I had to take the shot as he was sitting there, with all the space he has to himself. I wonder what he was thinking…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You described it very well….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Nabeela! Much appreciated.
I hope you have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sam that was poetic, your ending lines deepen in thought… Very well written… And i hate to say it but very relevant… How i wish this was some dystopic fantasy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand there is a curiosity to wake up into some strange new world like a scene in a movie… it is why such movies are so popular! It is just sad it is for this current reason, and many are losing their lives. But I try to share my experiences in a respectful way to keep a memory of the current times.
Thank you so much for the kind words here, I really appreciate it 🙂
LikeLike
We‘re doing a similar thing to you and take this quiet time to go for long walks most days and either explore new neighbourhoods or see known areas in a different light. We already have new favourite spots we might not have discovered otherwise! It is tough though to be so far away from family. All the best to you from Yokohma to London! Please keep posting these heartwarming and thought-provocative stories, we enjoy reading them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello to you in Yokohama! Oh how I would love to visit Japan 🙂 Thank you so much for following my blog and stories, I love that they are being seen as far away as in Yokohama!
I am pleased you are able to spend the time discovering new places too. Especially as you too cannot see family, it must be hard but it is good to stay occupied and distracted. Keep exploring and I hope you find more new places!
LikeLike
Very thought provoking! I just read an article about workers in Antarctica and how things are still normal there since they are no cases and how weird it’ll be when they return home. At least they’re aware of what’s going on so it isn’t a total shock!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must be strange for them to be somewhere with such a low population to come back to areas on lockdown. Imagine if they didn’t know?! That would be a shock indeed.
LikeLike
After seeing a couple of people and the police car I’d just be glad this wasn’t a 28 Days Later situation. Then I’d go looking for a news source.
LikeLike
28 Days Later is the worst case scenario!! A news source would be the best thing for sure. See what the heck is going on. I try to avoid too much news however in this situation it is a must!
LikeLike
I’ve watched more news in the last couple of months than I’ve probably watched in the previous several years combined. We’re essentially in an emergency situation–I guess it only makes sense to stay informed.
LikeLike
Oh I understand that, I am the same as I need to see these updates, but I just don’t want to see myself glued to it like social media you know? It wouldn’t be good for my mental health haha.
LikeLike
Definitely not– social media is more harmful than helpful in this situation. But I guess if you woke up after sleeping for two months and there was nothing else…still better avoid it 🙂
LikeLike
Nicely written! Really good 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! I really appreciate it 🙂
LikeLike
We feel you…we’re in Italy and it was, and still is, just like you described…
LikeLike
Sad to hear. I hope things are on the mend in Italy 🙂 stay safe!
LikeLike