Life seems more and more quiet here. We spent the better part of the morning indoors, going out in the afternoon for a walk. SK says it has to be over 50 degrees in order for him to want to go outside. We walk along the streets and see other pedestrians, bicyclists and people in cars. For the most part though things are pretty deserted. Our mall (a 10 minute walk) is almost eerie. We walk past shops with Christmas decorations lit up and huge screens playing fashion videos, well-tended plants outside of upscale restaurants and cafes, brightly lit displays of merchandise, and others that are sadly permanently closed. On door after door there are the polite apologies for being closed, with a promise that they will be back.
Teens haunt the mall, sitting around looking at their telephones, older people like us stroll through for exercise, and mothers pushing strollers amble by, probably happy for the chance to be out. Even the quaint little pub on the way to the mall -which was always alive with customers crowding into the interior making merry is forlorn.
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| On a normal evening, there are lines of happy people outside waiting to be admitted to this small pub. |
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| The restaurants are all on the 3rd floor and look out over a magnificent view of the city. The tables outside are clean and waiting for customers, the walkways are freshly swept and the planters are all well-tended with flowers in full-blossom. Not a one is open for business. |
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| Intersection of the street where we live (St. Thomas) and Paradise Street. |
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| Our neighborhood castle/prison are on the right. Isn't that a funny juxtaposition of the apartment with Merry Christmas in bright letters to the left? There is something jarring about this scene. |
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| SK slyly removing his mask so that we can recognize him. |
Family Home Evening was great tonight. We had 10 or so there and we played an enjoyable game that allowed us time to talk and laugh together. We love these young people and wish so much that we could do more to help them. Their lives are not easy right now, full of stress of all sorts. But they are coping with all that comes along, and doing so with faith.
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