March 20th 2020: Turbulant times.

I can remember mentioning the outbreak of a virus in China during our morning meeting in the practice in Otaki in December, not realising at that point what a disaster it was going to be. I guess it was underestimated by almost everyone, not in the least by scientists and politicians. The last group was, and still is, thinking more of the impact on the economy than on the well being of their citizens. So before I will elaborate on our recent adventures, here a video of the biggest idiot on earth:

Early March a new music centre opened in Kapiti. We were so lucky to get tickets for the Goldberg variations of Bach, played by the New Zealand symphony orchestra. I think we were the youngest attending, the rest were definitely of cruise ship age. I was sitting next to a nice old lady with Parkinson and her armband made more noise than a cow on the mountains of Switserland. The concert was great though, really enjoyed it.

Dick had heard rumours about the tuna running. Well, let's say the tuna did not find us. A lot of perch fish and undersized cod, but nothing substantial. In the end we had to settle for just the one kahawai.

Big enough though to make some nice Thai fish cakes.

Summer is over and two dark shadows were hanging over WOMAD 2020. Once was the Corona virus as people were already talking of canceling mass gatherings. The second was the weather forecast. Rain and rain.

Luckily they were wrong again (it's almost like politicians, whatever they promise, you won't get it). Nienke had chosen a nice remote camping with a view of Mount Taranaki. And it turned out the owners were Dutch. What's more, they had a restaurant and on the menu was Indonesian food if your party was big enough. Nienke mailed them that we were with the two of us but with an appetite of 4-6.

When we arrived Nienke asked for the complementary pancake that came with the camping booking, but she was denied on the basis that they had something better for us. We were seated with the view in the last picture. 'You wouldn't have a Grolsch?' I asked the nice lady who was serving our food. They did! The food was amazing, a traditional Dutch/Indonesian rijsttafel. Meanwhile we were listening to all the great hits from the 70's. Just perfect. After Nienke apologised for not being able to eat everything she said; 'good thing too, as there is a special desert'. 'No, you didn't? Really?' Yes, they had made a 'spek koek'. What a perfect evening, we only just fitted in our camper van for the night.

When we arrived on the camping several people had already parked their amazing accommodations.

One more authentic than the other.

I'll just name a few bands and if you want to hear their music, just click on the link. The first night was great. Highlights were New Zealands own Reb Fountain, the Scottish band Rura and the Greek band Marina Satti and Fones.
In the morning we learned a new way of baking your eggs. It's called 'Trevor's eggs in the hole' (indeed, he is not a great golf player). You take a sandwich and a glas of wine (empty, optional is emptying it first). Punch out a circle and put the sandwich in the frying pan. Break your egg in the hole, 'et voila', toasted bread with fried eggs.

So lucky again with the weather. None of the rain that was predicted. Also, not a face mask in sight.

Next day we were pleasantly surprised by the Finnish group Tuuletar. Other great bands of the day were English band The Ezra collective, the very surprising duo on harp and kora Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita, and L.A.B., a band from New Zealand:

Meanwhile me and my friends were trying to get everything right. With the words of DT, I think we did a tremendously goodly job, I've heard many people were saying they'd never seen something like that before, .....

Coffees and catching up on the news in the morning. We realised then that we're probably attending the last mass event in New Zealand in 2020. It should not have started a day later or it would have been cancelled. This weird situation reminded me of Nevil Shute's book On the beach which follows the lives of a few Australians after the third world war with the nuclear cloud descending on them.

Some weird people again, look at the ladies bag on the left. There is aso a guy in this picture with a rather odd hat.

The Trio da Kali from Mali were playing together with the Black (I know, not original) Quartet from New Zealand.

And now we are back in the safety of our little paradise. Nienke working from home as she has some sniffles. Me not working at the moment but giving (unsolicited) advise to the Ministry of Health and more welcome advise to friends. From home I'm helping to organise the flu vaccinations we soon have to start. Of course we do not want all those patients to come to the practice, so my military experience is of some use here. NZ currently has 39 cases, all imported, none community spread yet, but that's just a matter of time. It's starting to sink in, but people are more worried about toilet paper than the disease itself.

We'll get through it if we all behave like sane people. I will most likely join the workforce next week when I get rid of my autumn cold and Nienke will likely work from home as more and more businesses here are closing down or reducing to their core business. Unlike Europe we have winter ahead of us, possibly making it worse here. GP practices will probably all close and consultations will be done over the phone. Weird times. In a while the blaming will start. DT has already pointed his fatty finger to China, but I think it is globalisation which is to blame. Some positive effects will be that we will start appreciating family and community life again, we'll be surprised how well the climate can be and hopefully return to a fairer world where becoming a billionaire is not seen as success, but being healthy and enjoying life is.