Author & Photographer: Ellen Yule
D1. 26/03/2020 Life in Lockdown - Salut
To respond to the immediate needs during the Aotearoa/New Zealand nationwide lockdown due to covid19 pandemic, we’ve been speeding up work from home today.
We felt relieved to be able to help our existing Catalan clients secure their chosen Safe Staycation with sea view for the next 4 weeks in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, New Zealand.
I was delighted to write with paua shells in our garden, SALUT❤️ to you and us.
#stayhomenz #visitauckland #salut #covid19nz #bekind #DreamNowExperienceLater
#novazelanda #viatgenovazelanda #2waysnz #2ways_tours_nz_spain #2waystoursketchnz
D1. 26/03/2020 Life in Lockdown - Salut
To respond to the immediate needs during the Aotearoa/New Zealand nationwide lockdown due to covid19 pandemic, we’ve been speeding up work from home today.
We felt relieved to be able to help our existing Catalan clients secure their chosen Safe Staycation with sea view for the next 4 weeks in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, New Zealand.
I was delighted to write with paua shells in our garden, SALUT❤️ to you and us.
#stayhomenz #visitauckland #salut #covid19nz #bekind #DreamNowExperienceLater
#novazelanda #viatgenovazelanda #2waysnz #2ways_tours_nz_spain #2waystoursketchnz
D2. 27/03/2020 Life in Lockdown - Slowdown
Hurry up, gear up, speed up
From China to New Zealand
From New Zealand to Catalonia
Go, go, go, workaholic...
Lockdown, low-down, slow down
From China to Catalonia
From Catalonia to New Zealand
Do, do, do, workless...
😷What can we do, see, listen. learn and be in slow motion?
#stayhomenz #slowdown #salut #covid19nz #bekind #DreamNowExperienceLater
#novazelanda #viatgenovazelanda #2waysnz #2ways_tours_nz_spain #2waystoursketchnz
D3. 28/03/2020 Life in Lockdown – Video calls
3 video calls to family and friends every day make their day and mine too (no face masks and social distancing required)😄
#stayhomenz #connections #videocalls #covid19nz #bekind #DreamNowExperienceLater
#novazelanda #viatgenovazelanda #2waysnz #2ways_tours_nz_spain #2waystoursketchnz
D4. 29/03/2020 Life in Lockdown - Problem
Sunday, sunshine is crispy. Sky is blue. Birds are singing.
My iPhone is ringing.
“Ellen we’ve got a big problem!” The apartments manager sounds worried.
Me: “What? Are your apartments closed down? Did our guests get sick?”
It turns out they cannot provide to our guests' room cleaning service anymore.
Why not?
Because the cleaning company was told by the government that they’re not essential service and must close during the lockdown.
The apartment manager: “If you’re not happy with it, we can refund you and you find other place.”
Where to keep our Catalan guests in a safe comfortable place without further disruption and stress?
Most of hotels in New Zealand are closed from day one of the lockdown. The few operating hotels are open only to the essential service staff.
After negotiating, I make sure our guests will get some extra clean towels and bed sheets today. And they’ll also get a refund for reduced service.
In this stressful uncertain time, be kind, be helpful.
Everything is ka pai.
#stayhomenz #kapai #covid19nz #bekind #behelpful #visitauckland #DreamNowExperienceLater #novazelanda #viatgenovazelanda #2waysnz #2ways_tours_nz_spain #2waystoursketchnz
D5. 30/03/2020 Life in Lockdown - Volunteering from home
18 years of volunteering at Citizen Advice Bureau, today is my first duty on roster to serve the public from home on phone and via email.
To help people in need, you’ve got to know:
1) the relevant upaged true information or
2) the official trustworthy sources to find those information.
Everything about Covid-19 in New Zealand
https://covid19.govt.nz/
Citizens Advice Bureau
http://cab.org.nz
Report a non-emergency or breaches of lockdown
105.police.govt.nz
New Zealand Visa duration extension
www.immigration.govt.nz
Tip: email and online form work faster than phone call.
No doubt, my voluntary work experiences at CAB have helped me serve better our travellers and students from Catalonia, Spain, Argentina and China.
#stayhomenz #volunteering #citizensadvicebureau #bekind #behelpful #visitauckland #DreamNowExperienceLater #novazelanda #viatgenovazelanda #2waysnz #2ways_tours_nz_spain #2waystoursketchnz
D6. 31/03/2020 Life in Lockdown - Reddy Teddy Bear
In “Teddy Bear Hunt”, here’s the story of Reddy Teddy Bear.
In 2002 Reddy arrived in Aotearoa/New Zealand with Ellen from China. Nobody greeted them at Auckland airport. No accommodation was reserved though all fees were prepaid.
BEAR ill will to the irresponsible agent and the school staff?
No. Ellen set up 2WAYS company to serve people in the way she’d love to be treated with respect and care.
In 2011 Reddy fell on the floor among messy papers and broken glasses... in the 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch.
BEAR up under enormous amount of stress and anxiety, and gradually regain trust after natural disasters.
In 2020, Reddy has been confined at home to fight against the global Covid-19 pandemic.
BEAR with 5-week self-isolation to save lives, to reflect the healthy relationships with nature and human.
At the end, efforts BEAR fruit.
#stayhomenz #bekind #behelpful #teddybear #teddybearhunt #teddybearhuntnz #visitauckland #DreamNowExperienceLater #novazelanda #viatgenovazelanda #2waysnz #2ways_tours_nz_spain #2waystoursketchnz
D7. 1/04/2020 Life in Lockdown - No Fool Yes Fly
Can you still fly in the global lockdown?
On 1 April, we finally could help Toni and Montse, our Catalan guests departed Auckland for home Barcelona, after their 30-day holiday trip in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Not a joke!
Not an easy task.
We suggested them drive 600km in one day from Wellington to Auckland the day before the NZ nationwide lockdown began.
Secured for them a safe comfortable apartment with sea view for 7 days.
Called them everyday with the latest relevant updates and personal support.
Spanish Embassy travel alert checked.
Australia Transit Visa approved.
Auckland airport international departure flights followed.
Airport taxi booked.
International flights cancelled 20 hours before the departure time.
anxiously calling waiting
...
Be calm. Be patient.
Impossible can be possible with positive attitude.
Bon viatge!
#stayhomenz #bekind #behelpful #airnz #positiveattitude #visitauckland #DreamNowExperienceLater #novazelanda #viatgenovazelanda #guianovazelanda #2waysnz #2ways_tours_nz_spain #2waystoursketchnz
