Landisa: I am a South African in confinement in Paris - here's how I'm surviving

Confinement has been a good, but trying time. I have learnt to be okay with not achieving twenty goals a day. I have learnt to let go of all the future plans I had for myself this year and not to worry too much about the things I cannot control, writes Rachel Pienaar. 

It was a Sunday evening and I was returning from a ski trip in the Alps with my colleagues. We knew Italy had gone into lockdown and the cases in France were getting worse and worse but we did not expect to have the same situation happen in France. Naïve when I think back at it, but we all kind of had the same attitude. 

We were laughing and very jolly on the train as we entered Paris, but once we stepped onto the platform arriving at the station, there was an intense feeling of anxiousness in the air and people were scurrying around like lost sheep. That's when reality hit for me for the first time. 

"This feels weird, what on earth is happening," I told my colleague as we sat on the metro on our way home. All the stories about Italy just felt too surreal for me until they announced that lockdown might be enforced the very next day. 

Once the lockdown announcement was made, I packed my bags and moved in with my boyfriend and his family. They welcomed me into their home and have shown such incredible hospitality towards me. 

We were all uncertain as to how long lockdown would be, never did we imagine that for two months we would all still be confined together. Living with a family I hardly knew before sounds all a bit risky, but it was the best thing for me. It has been a time of building relationships and learning from one another. 

Sure, it has been tough not being with my own family back in South Africa, but the flight technicalities and two weeks of quarantine before the time all just sounded too complicated. I have been focused on my job and the transition from working in the office every day to working remotely. 

Here, everyone seems to be respecting the restrictions and very intent on wearing masks and maintaining distance. There are guards in front of each grocery store ensuring that only a certain number of people are in the shop at once time. 

Walking to the shops, people cross the street in order to walk on the other side of the pavement. There is a sense of nervousness hanging in the air which is so tangibly felt as soon as you leave your front door. It makes you not want to go outside. The rapidity of how the restrictions were set in place is all just impressive and everyone is working together. 

With the arrival of Spring, the flowers are in full blossom and the sun is shining which has been frustrating but amazing. Finding perfect sun-patches around the house and gazing upon the flowers in bloom has been lovely but frustrating as all I am dreaming of is walking around Paris soaking up the good weather. 

Easter was a bittersweet time for me. It was heartwarming to celebrate with the lovely family I am living with, but couldn't help think of family back home who are also in this crisis. I am so thankful to be surrounded by supportive people at this time. 

Confinement has been a good, but trying time. I have learnt to be okay with not achieving twenty goals a day. I have learnt to let go of all the future plans I had for myself this year and not to worry too much about the things I cannot control. I have learnt to take it one day at a time and not let my inner control freak stress me out too much. 

I am being taught how to cook French cuisine, speak more French and cultivating new hobbies. I have decided to keep praying, and focus on the good. That is all I am capable of doing right now. 

Everyday I am thankful for the hospitality this family is showing me and I am inspired by the other acts of kindness I have heard of happening all over the world. This pandemic has definitely changed me, my views and what I regard as important. It has also given me more appreciation for French wine and cheese, which we have been having every night since confinement. 

- Rachel is originally from Stellenbosch, South Africa, and works as content manager in Paris, France.