From My Window ... and Other Places by

Vale Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11218, USA

lauriehurson — 2021-03-09 18:28:12 UTC

Lots of walks in greenwood over the past year. I discovered this little pond and learned that this is the one place in Greenwood that is not "groomed". So it stays 'wild' to allow wildlife to live in abundance here. This is a very popular bird watching spot and just feels very different and removed from everything around - city, cemetery, etc.

Restrepo, Valle del Cauca, Colombia

2021-03-09 18:29:59 UTC

I planted some tomatoes here.

Aarhus, Denmark

mirandafedock — 2021-03-09 18:33:16 UTC

My childhood best friend lives here. Since the pandemic started we've been Zooming every week, which is the most regularly we've talked in over a decade <3

Rio Vermelho, Salvador - State of Bahia, Brazil

fernandablancovidal — 2021-03-09 23:30:25 UTC

Miss and care about my place

Ponte Caldelas, Spain

fernandablancovidal — 2021-03-09 23:31:46 UTC

it is where my sister is raising my nephew, same place from where my grandparents came from...

Fortaleza - State of Ceará, Brazil

fernandablancovidal — 2021-03-09 23:34:04 UTC

Prince Edward Island, Canada

fernandablancovidal — 2021-03-09 23:38:29 UTC

Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

2021-03-10 16:46:07 UTC

Early spring. The Hudson River through some sumac.

Kolkata, West Bengal, India

lwaltzer — 2021-03-10 16:50:06 UTC

We have regular conversations with family in Kolkata (and Dubai), which drives home, in fascinating ways, the extent to which this pandemic is a global phenomenon.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

2021-03-10 17:00:16 UTC

Senegal

2021-03-10 17:00:48 UTC

Served in the Peace Corps there in 2015-2016.

Bowling Green, Ohio, USA

2021-03-10 17:04:06 UTC

These snowdrops poked through the snowbank last week and now that it's melted it feels like spring.

Union City, IN, USA

2021-03-10 18:32:17 UTC

Tucson, AZ, USA

2021-03-10 19:33:24 UTC

My in-laws live here and we didn't get to see them in Spring or Summer 2020 like we normally would have. After a lot of precautions and quarantining we did visit them over Christmas--it was wonderful to be there but also throughout the year it's been great to stay connected through phone calls and texting pictures of our neighborhoods to each other.

Queens, NY, USA

2021-03-10 19:36:40 UTC

I'm from Queens but I live in Manhattan now. During the pandemic I went to far fewer places in the city than I normally would, including Queens, where many of my family members still live. In a typical year, I probably would have gone to Queens about 10 times, but this past year I've been there twice. The feeling of distance, even from somewhere that's geographically not far away, made me think about my home borough a lot and resulted in this essay I wrote in February 2021.

Philadelphia, PA, USA

2021-03-10 19:40:36 UTC

I have several friends who used to live in New York but now live in Philadelphia--normally I would have visited them once or twice but this year I didn't see them. But two of them, who met through me, ran into each other in the streets partying after the 2020 election was called and texted me a photo of themselves. The outpouring of joy in general that day, the feeling of connection with Philadelphia and their special role in calling the election, and the chance meeting of friends in the street all really touched me that day.

St. Louis, MO, USA

2021-03-10 19:45:30 UTC

One my close friends, who I lived with for 3 years and who lived nearby for another 6, left New York for St. Louis in Fall of 2019. Thanks to Zoom, we've gotten to talk to her on a weekly basis for the past year, having craft nights, watching movies, and having a book club. We could never have "seen" her as much if it weren't for the pandemic. She's also a nurse and it was exhilarating to hear in January when she got vaccinated!

"El meu poble Alcoi" by Ovidi Montllor

2021-03-11 14:44:59 UTC

Té costeres i ponts,
música de telers;
té muntanyes que el volten
i li donen fondor.
Allí fan ser un riu
aigües brutes de fàbriques;
allí fan nàixer boira
del fum brut sense ales.
Eiximeneres trauen
en prova de treball
d'un poble que l'ofeguen
i que no mataran:
el meu poble Alcoi.

Poble d'història d'homes
que han volgut llibertat;
poble tossut i obert,
carrancs, clavillat.
Com un gall matiner
canta i alça la cresta,
com si el seu horitzó
fóra fora finestra.
Hi ha també un raconet
que només el sé jo,
ple de flors a l'estiu,
ple de flors a l'hivern.
El meu poble Alcoi.

Allí hi ha un campanar
que en guerra el van tombar
i que després l'han fet
calcat com era abans.
Per vergonya de tots
i beneït pel clero;
la vergonya de fer-te
anar al teu enterro.
I encara té una font
roja i fresca tostemps;
com ella dóna vida
la primavera mou
al meu poble Alcoi.

Allí fan unes festes
que a molts els dura un any
i que altres les esperen
sense pensar en el sant.
Són moros i cristians
que el cafè els fa germans;
sempre perden els moros
i guanyen els cristians.
Tants amos, tants obrers,
tan dolç i tan amarg;
ballen colors de festa
amb músiques i focs
al meu poble Alcoi.

Amb un Cantó Pinyó,
lloc de cita amb tothom;
amb el Barranc del Cinc
com dos braços oberts.
Allí hi ha una glorieta
que ensenyen als infants
i que els dóna cabuda
quan s'han cansat d'anar;
i els té fins que se'n van
al món millor que ens diuen;
rient pels qui li vénen,
plorant pels qui se'n van
va coneixent-t'ho tot
el meu poble Alcoi.

Inwood Hill Park, Seaman Avenue, New York, NY, USA

2021-03-11 14:49:26 UTC

Two mornings a week my friend and I meet and take a walk through the paths of Inwood Hill Park. We did it pre-pandemic and it gives us an anchor to our previous life. It is our coffee breaks, our happy hours, our dinner outs, our therapy sessions, and our laugh sessions. A way to release the tensions of the day, week, month, year. So if you see two middle aged ladies leaning against a tree laughing hysterically come over and say hi.

Isham Park, Isham Street, New York, NY, USA

2021-03-11 14:58:56 UTC

The big snowstorm in February was a real highlight and comfort of the past year. It was a joy to go sledding in my local park and see everyone at play.

Paris, France

2021-03-11 20:26:00 UTC

Paris, France

2021-03-11 20:29:31 UTC

My life has been divided between Paris and New York. But during this pandemic, I spent the last year living in my New York apartment. Because I couldn't go home, I brought Paris to me, through music, cinema, and food. So much food. My next project is to try to make Pain au Chocolat!

Ribeira, Salvador - State of Bahia, Brazil

fernandablancovidal — 2021-03-12 00:14:17 UTC

Where my whole family is, the place from where I came from. It is where I have my fondest memories and my best friends. I have missed to be there over the last 5 years and covid has retarded my possibility of physical connection

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2021-03-12 22:52:03 UTC

Rio Vermelho, Salvador - State of Bahia, Brazil

fernandablancovidal — 2021-03-13 02:50:56 UTC

I have many wonderful collagues that I miss very much

Brazília - Federal District, Brazil

2021-03-13 05:42:39 UTC

One of my best friends lives in Brazilia. It is so close to the power, state power, and yet she continues to invest in her sensibility and ability to care about other people!

Itaparica, State of Bahia, Brazil

fernandablancovidal — 2021-03-14 02:53:42 UTC

It is where I have learned to swim and love the ocean

Italy

2021-03-14 03:03:05 UTC

A great friend of mine lives there. Someday I hope to visit him.

Cagliari, İtalya

2021-03-14 12:52:39 UTC

Home - where family and friends are. I am taking remote dance classes there, so in a way I’m home twice a week :)

İstanbul, Türkiye

2021-03-14 12:53:40 UTC

My fav place on earth 💘 I spent July remotely in Turkey, taking classes of Turkish & chatting with my turkish friends. I can’t wait to be back.

San Remo, İmperia, İtalya

2021-03-14 12:55:19 UTC

Sanremo, İmperia, İtalya

2021-03-14 12:57:12 UTC

Every year in Italy there’s the Sanremo music festival - a contest that decides who goes to Eurovision. I never watched it but this year - since I’ve been feeling VERY homesick because of the pandemic- I watched it all and discovered many cool artists. This was my fav performance 💘

Gütersloh, Germany

2021-03-14 14:24:58 UTC

This is where I celebrated my childhood and teenage birthdays with family. Some family and friends are still there. During the pandemic I have connected with them more frequently.

Köln, Germany

2021-03-14 14:29:35 UTC

My sister lives here. I love visiting her in this fun city. During the pandemic we have been dancing together and she has gifted me many playlists. I love sharing spotify playlists with each other. It's a way to connect through music.

Perth WA, Australia

2021-03-14 23:06:46 UTC

My partner, Bryn, is from Australia! The last time we saw them was in January, 2020 - which feels very lucky, all things considered.

115 Breckenridge Drive, Wexford, PA, USA

2021-03-14 23:07:43 UTC

This is where my parents live with their three dogs, and my sister (due to COVID)! - Maddie

Trinity College, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland

2021-03-14 23:08:45 UTC

I attended a Master's program here, and have been thinking about Ireland a lot lately - my friends and teachers, the museums and libraries - it's such a beautiful place that holds so many memories, and I want to go back! -Maddie

Portland, ME, USA

2021-03-14 23:09:44 UTC

My sister lives with her wife and son in Portland. They just bought a house! - Maddie

Taiwan

2021-03-14 23:10:40 UTC

My ex lives in Taiwan, and we've been corresponding regularly, which comes as a surprise. -Maddie

Portland, OR, USA

2021-03-14 23:11:50 UTC

My best friend lives in Portland and we talk every day. As soon as it's safe, I'm going to visit! -Maddie

Cherbourg, France

2021-03-14 23:13:41 UTC

My publicist and good friend lives here! He sent me a package recently. It was so magical. - Maddie

Athens, Greece

2021-03-15 10:16:40 UTC

Very best wishes xx

Chris