It’s been a long time since since the last post. So much has happened, so many challenges, so many good things, so many plans, so much I wanted to share and haven’t found the time. But today it’s about none of these. Within a few weeks, even days, almost everything has changed due to the corona virus.
Yesterday, Finland announced that the schools are being closed. Starting today our son is home and we will have lots of time together. I’m sure we will create wonderful memories, come up with new games to pass the time and also have some ‘cabin fever’ moments.
Also the borders will be closed. Hearing our prime minister saying that felt very strange and it surprised me how emotional it was for me. Living here since 21 years, Finland became a symbol of opportunity, freedom, peacefulness and much more. Now it feels a bit different. I suppose it is what we can and will make from these changes.
I took this photo in Norway, our neighbor country. I crossed the border countless times, sometimes for weeks sometimes for a few hours at night. I’ve been checked at the border control a few times, mostly at night. They asked what I do, I said chasing the northern lights, they smiled. When coming back into Finland they asked if I have anything to declare, anything of high value. I said aurora photos and they laughed.
Now both countries are closed and it is not possible for either side to visit. It’s so weird.
How are things where you live?
Hope you are safe and keep everyone safe around you!
Thankyou for post and stunning photographs ,reasonably calm in uk ,although stores running out of some items as people are panic buying ,may have to ration some items ,some stores opening earlier for elder folk only, to allow them to shop and get what they need, many working from home that can ,but mainly wartime mantra keep calm and carry on!
Hi Margarita, thanks for your comment! Glad to hear it’s kinda calm in the UK, I guess there cannot be such a ‘thing’ without some buying things for three months ahead. I like the idea of open for elder folks first, they most be going crazy just staying home all the time. Greetings to the UK and stay safe!
In the San Francisco Bay Area we are on lockdown – everything closed except essential services (police, fire departments, hospitals, medical offices, gas (petrol) stations, grocery stores). Businesses closed or employees working from home, and anyone 65 and over are supposed to stay indoors for at least the next three weeks. We’re generally upbeat and think we’ll do fine in the end, but apprehensive as well because both wife and myself are over 65. I plan on using this enforced imprisonment to relook at my images from last winter’s trip with you and also my journey to Northern Canada and recent Hawaiian trip. Margarita’s mantra “Keep Calm and Carry On” is good advice for all of us. Stay healthy!
Thanks for your comment! Lots of restrictions but I like the positive attitude which is a very important part in all of this. Looking forward to see more photos of your trips, of course especially those from our tour in Lapland! Greetings to the Bay Area and your wife. Stay healthy!
Thank you and stay healthy
Thanks for the wishes!
Be well…be safe…thank you for your beautiful posts.
Thanks for the kind words, Jan. Hope you are safe too!
Oh Thomas also here in Italy this coronavirus changed all our lifes, wevstay indoor only, we have permission to walk no more then 200m from home and only for necessary reason, of course alone, not in company, all closed, all workers home… Is such a chaos and all people so depressed, but of course they are also good things like nature that now is free from all damages from people, animals are also free and happy now, nobody kills them no more, the roads are empty and the waters and air are clean now… Is like a rebirth of nature. This is soo necessary and so good. Stay safe Thomas i am happy now you spend more time with family and thank you for such awesome post, you made me smile for at rhe boards how you told you are chasing aurora and this is so true, i liked thebway you told it? best greetings to you and family, be safe my friend, thank you for so precious fotos♥️
Yeah, this has definetely two sides, the change in our daily lives and nature healing itself. Let’s hope there will be some permanent changes from this. Glad you liked the post and that it brought a smile for you 🙂 Chasing the lights across borders is such a wonderful thing. Family time even more so! Many greetings and hope you and your loved ones stay safe in Italy!