#2. good-bye stay at home, welcome freedom: where to start exploring london again
april edition 2021.
why we will not give up staying home so easily + the ‘always out of office’ mode + my morning pages + the swedish fika ritual + fond memories + bauhaus yoga + shinrin-yoku
*PLAYLIST
EXOTICA - une miss s’immisce
FERNANDA ABREU - veneno da lata
CHICO BUARQUE - a banda
April is a good month for Britain: on the 29th March, the first hottest day of the year, restrictions started to ease again, a new step to our beloved freedom. I am definitely more optimistic with the current pandemic situation than I was when I first wrote this newsletter. In this edition, we will have a much funnier mood!
Before guiding you to the best places and things to do to start exploring London again, I would like to share things that happened during last month worth sharing (remember I am also grabbing you a chair so we can chat?).
Well, firstly (maybe too late), I realised that I love Carnival. And as a Brazilian living abroad, I missed watching the desfiles de samba this year. I missed badly the vibe carnavalesca that only a Brazilian will understand. Never a music made any sense like ‘Todo Carnaval Tem Seu Fim’, from Los Hermanos. Indeed, a Carnaval can have its end, but only for a year, corona. Only for a year.
In February, when days were shorter and darker, I was thinking to myself if, when lockdown is over, will people really want to be out and about? We are used to home office and we kind of like social distancing (common, you always hated people getting too close to you at the supermarket or the communal tables in tiny hipster restaurants).
I ask because there is some kind of pressure to go out when it is summer in the city. Let’s admit: sunny weather and heatwaves are not thaaaat common in this part of the world, so it was good not having to plan something when we were too tired and ashamed to admit we preferred staying in our beds watching Netflix even when everybody was craving a picnic in a park. And we also found some joy staying at home: not always we want to put on our best Sunday dress and interact with the world. Is part of our nature. Specially me, as a Scorpio.
But my mood and thoughts changed when the first heatwave came in. I don’t know, there is something beautiful about spring. It is not only nature that changes season, we do too. The vibe of the day is brighter, there is hope and a different approach to life. We simply like to be out and about. Maybe not having the sun on a daily basis, every sunny day is like something to really celebrate, which turns people more grateful.
But I am not giving up my bed and my television. There is no this OR that. We can have both! One of the reasons is because the world at home can be great. Until we can’t travel, things like watching Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo, or We Children from the Zoo Train Station, the new series production from Amazon Prime Video, that recreates the story from Christiane F., the 14 years old addicted to heroin in the streets of Berlin, will always be a good reason to stay at home. I could travel to Berlin without leaving my intimate space, practiced my German and could also reflect about other issues that don’t have corona on its name.
Another must-watch is the Netflix series Invisible City. Not because it is excellent, but simply because it brought me fond memories: as is a Brazilian production, it led me to rediscover the joy of Brazilian’s folclore. Maybe because my rising sign is Cancer, I am attached to my past, and I read again about many characters like Yara, Saci Pererê, Curupira, Boto Cor de Rosa and remembered my childish favourite TV show: Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo. And thanks to this, I reconnected with my inner child. Try it yourself and watch something that reconnects you with your childhood.
Same happened when my friend Pryka suggested that I watch Moxie, an apparently innocent movie with loads of attitude. As it explores subjects like feminism and the riot grrrl movement, it brought me up the days when I raised this flag with my colleagues at high school and all the adventures listening to Rebel Girl from Bikini Kill that led me to be this woman who is writing to you right now.
Another reason I am not giving up staying home is the joy of reading. There is particularly one book that is being an impact: The Artist’s Way. I heard about it from a very intelligent woman I follow, Lalai Persson, which also inspired me to have my own newsletter. The book is also known as the Bible of Creativity and, in resume, brings you 12 weeks of inner exercises (I mean, really inner..) to explore your hidden creativity. Part of the ritual is writing morning pages, every day - and I mean it - where you write every morning 3 pages of what is in your head, what is called the Ocidental meditation, and is being a challenge and a…blessing. If you are curious, give the book a chance. It is really an awakening.
The Little Book of Lykke is another little secret. If you follow me, you know I am a big fan of many Scandinavian philosophies of life, so this is another one. Lykke means ‘happiness’ in Danish and the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen explains the factors that make the Danes and Denmark top-ranked when the subject is life satisfaction. It makes me happy that many rituals I follow myself for years, which challenges the status quo. I smile when I see authors highlighting cooperation instead of competition and joy as more important than instant gratification. Basically, you will read 300 pages where no flash is required.
Talking about Scandinavia and no flash required, I am practising Fika rituals more than ever. Being an uplifting daily ritual of having a proper coffee break in Sweden, I am not budgeting on buying cinnamon swirls and cappuccino plenty of cream on top, switching off mobile and TV in this sacred 20 minutes. #HappinessTip
And have you ever heard of the new concept of always OOO (out of office)? Have it noted, as will be much discussed in the medium term. It seems working from home will stay for good, even if in a hybrid model, and it means that we may be… forever out of (physical) office. Why not? And did you ever think how we can make the world our office?
Well, I had my word. So ready for what each zodiac sign can do in April 2021 to enjoy the easing of restrictions in Britain? Grab your horoscope and happy new month, dear!
Aries
Electrics and action-oriented, they are always happier in movement. Spring is here, so good and longer days are on the way. Why don’t you head to Angel neighbourhood and stroll down Regent’s Canal from Colebrook Road to Haggerston and then go back to jogging at Highbury Fields? Northern London vibes and boats mooring will do great on you.
Taurus
Don’t hide it, Taurus: we know you are a food-lover. Lucky you: for a perfect fika ritual, what about visiting Bageriet, a superb tiny Swedish bakery in the heart of Covent Garden for a sweet indulgence? For the whole Lent period until Easter they are selling semlor, cardamom buns with almond cream filling, heavenly-made. It’s a tradition in Sweden and you can have other delicious treats there, like the famous prinsesstårta (or princess cake for the English-speakers). And book yourself a table outdoors for your long-awaited-friends-get-together-moment at Lina Stores. They have a big terrace located in Coal Drops Yard and delicious home-made pasta and a true taste of Italy. Bookings are live!
Gemini
Call your friends and lovers and head to Clissold Park, where you can arrange a picnic and communicate as free as a bird. Nearby is the lovely Luminary Bakery, where you can combine your active talk with a well-made cappuccino and cinnamon swirls loaded with cream cheese! Instagrammers will love it.
Cancer
Staying at home is still appealing to Cancer signs. I don’t judge you. I am not a yoga-person and it is not my kind of activity, but I couldn’t hide my excitement when I heard about Bauhaus Yoga. If the name does not ring you a bell, Bauhaus was a German art school famous for its approach to design, which attempted to unify the principles of mass production with individual artistic vision and strove to combine aesthetics with everyday function. So yes, you can combine this concept with yoga practice, as not only the unity of art and craftsmanship played an important role at the Bauhaus, but also the harmony of body and mind. The sessions are free and introduced by a short input about the historical Bauhaus. Can’t think about something more exciting that balances history and health!
Leo
Leo, opposite from Cancers, definitely needs some outdoor treats. Does it sound appealing exploring the streets of Notting Hill, specially around Westbourne Grove, where you can find less tourists and more independent businesses?#SupportYourLocals. You can also head to Ottolenghi whilst shopping and grab a delicious flowery-cupcake and maybe satisfy your ego with Instagram likes.
Virgo
Did you know that Transport for London has a museum? Yes, and you can discover the powerful link between transport and the growth of London since 1800. Virtual tours are available if you want a peek and soon you are allowed to also book Hidden London tours, where you have the chance to explore ‘forgotten’ parts of the Tube network and go behind the scenes at some of London’s busiest stations. Cool!
Libra
Venus’ love affair, they simply love beauty. I perfectly see them happier having a spa treatment at Cowshed Primrose Hill. You can also take home their lovely products made in Britain. Why not after having macarons at Ladurée, in the charming Burlington Arcade?
Scorpio
I have something for both your indoor and outdoor needs, dear Scorpio. Before showing up again with friends, have yourself a gemütlichkeit - the German word for the Danish hygge and used to convey the idea of a state or feeling of warmth, friendliness, and good cheer - with a great bath tub moment full of Lola’s Apothecary body oils and then, only then, head to your booked table at The Drapers Arms, an intimate gastropub in Islington residential area offering a cosy little terrace for small gatherings with BFFs.
Sagittarius
Adventure-oriented, the fire sign will be happier outdoors. Do you like the idea of heading to Hampstead Heath and having fun at the swimming ponds? Don’t forget social distancing tho. At home, watching the excellent Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain can be a good way of travelling without leaving home. His visit to Glasgow, the Scottish Highlands, Berlin, Salvador and Sicily are my favourite. The world is your oyster!
Capricorn
Work hard, play harder, right, Capricorn? I have something special for you: glamorous Coya is reopening on the 12th April and you can book their gorgeous terrace in their posh City branch. The best ceviche in town is back for lunch and dinner, with the same South American accent and colourful decoration. Bienvenido!
Aquarius
Head East, water bearer! Columbia Road Flower Market reopens on the 18th April and I can see you vibrating with different colours of flowers to decorate your unique living space and celebrate the spring arrival. The Lily Vanilli Bakery is a must-stop if you are around and their delicious and big cakes will make your day brighter.
Pisces
Reading the book about lykke I previously mentioned, the author shared the Japanese ritual of shinrin-yoku and its physiological effects for well-being. But what does it mean? Translated into English as 'forest bathing', means taking in the forest atmosphere during a leisurely walk. It is a therapy that was developed in Japan during the 1980s, becoming a cornerstone of preventive health care and healing in Japanese medicine. I believe it is very appealing for Pisces signs and would be an exercise very useful to connect and balance their deeper emotions. This ritual at Epping forest seems to be a pretty good way to start your road to freedom after a strict lockdown.
As I am finishing one more edition, I share with you a word and a meaning that got my attention when watching the making-of of one of my favourite Netflix series, Unorthodox: den Kreis schließen, or closing the circle. See you next time! x, NB
Fantastic read xx
What amazing time reading all this! Congrats, my friend! ♥