After what the world's been through these past eighteen months, rediscovering life as we use to know it is understandably something that most of us are keen to do. But is this really what we should be doing and, moreover, is it even possible? It's sobering to remember that while certain parts of our world are finally seeing some Light at the End of the Tunnel, other regions are wrestling with their worst wave yet.
Regardless of how much or how little the pandemic may have affected us personally, we cannot, I believe, go back to Business as Usual.
The easing of restrictions here in Paris this week saw the night curfew pushed later (effective now from 9pm) and the highly anticipated reopening of cinemas, theatres and café terraces, along with most other businesses (albeit with strict limitations). Walking along the Canal Saint-Martin with Gerard on the first day of this new stage, there was undeniable energy about. Terraces of cafés and restaurants were filled to bursting (a little too much so, given what we've experienced). The council has given special exemptions to businesses to extend terraces out onto the streets (or wherever a bit of space can be found) to accommodate as many people as possible without having people inside.
The taste of freedom: Cafés and restaurants were in high demand on the day of their reopening.
With the reopening of bars, cafés, and concert venues, I started thinking about when we might possibly be able to play again. We used to play at some of the local bars and bistros and, while the staff at our local still greet us with warm familiarity, our last gig anywhere (at least for our duo project) was in January 2020. At the time the initial lockdown was announced, we were scheduled to perform at The Lucky Bastard a short time later. At that point, I was still thinking that we'd do the initial lockdown and then be back Out and About a few weeks later (oh, the naivety!). We've since learnt to keep our expectations checked. Gerard, especially (in his capacity as a freelance classical musician), has gotten all too used to 'picking-up work' only to see it cancelled on him at the last moment. We have a friend in London who's a répétiteur, working with singers in Britain's best opera companies. Despite his impressive CV, his experience has been much the same as ours. So much so that he told us that, despite everyone's excitement about the reopening of various cultural institutions, he now cultivates a Worst Possible Scenario outlook so as not to let himself get his hopes up only to have them dashed at the last hurdle. But we have to remember (and the aforementioned répétiteur does, by the way) that we are the lucky ones. To attend a concert, or go to a museum, or enjoy a brasserie meal is something that we are privileged to be able to do, something that, for many, wasn't an option before the pandemic and won't be an option afterwards. And here, by the way, I'm not just referring to the peoples of some far-flung country (whose distant problems seem too overwhelming for us to consider). There are people on our doorstep, living among us, for whom the closing of cafés and the lack of cultural events was the least of their worries.
Paris's terraces have hosted a different clientele throughout the pandemic.
The pandemic took over most aspects of our lives, and we are understandably anxious to put it behind us; however, to do so too readily would be to forgo the things it has taught us. We are a connected world, and much as we might like to think we can insulate ourselves from the problems that surround us, this is not the answer. So while I'm not advocating–for a second–that we deny ourselves the things that we have missed so much over this pandemic, we do need to be conscious, at every moment, just how privileged we are to have access to them. When we do finally get to play again, I know it will feel a little weird… and a little special too.