Errands, errands, errands – closing off 2020
December started with crossing off as many items as possible from our personal and professional To-do lists. We were getting ready for a trip to Germany over Christmas, leaving mid-December to finally see our family and friends again after 15 long months.
Alex spent his work days in the office with two colleagues, which was a welcome change of scenery. While it was good to be in the office, it was definitely a bit of a hassle due to the COVID restrictions. Every day a request form had to be filled out and all amenities (e.g. the coffee machine) were removed to avoid any spread. On Thursday, we did a team dinner together (including our colleague Franzi) at Nai Tapas which felt like the good old consulting days.
The weekend, we spent with running errands and fetching Christmas gifts. On our way, we saw a very sad sight: a couple blocks down from our apartment a fire started early Saturday morning in a vacant building (this was the building with the Italian restaurant we had dinner at last Christmas). It ended up destroying a historic East Village church dating back to 1891 and women’s shelter.
On Sunday, we ran some more errands and water colored some Christmas cards. The next week, was pretty much the same. Getting all To-do’s for work done before our break and packing up for Germany. Walking through the city, it started to feel like Christmas. We were happy to see that restaurants were still offering outdoor dining that was well accepted – despite the cold temperatures. The work week ended with another team dinner. This time at Ippudo Westside. Definitely a recommendation for awesome Ramen. The day before leaving NYC we took a “last” walk through the neighborhood.
Tomkins Square Park 
Outdoor dining booths
The moment we have waited for – going home
On Saturday, the day has finally come: we were on the way home! Our flight left from JFK. The airport was scarily empty with only three fights leaving from our terminal the entire day. The positive: We felt pretty secure with organized and strict health regulations in place at the airport and aboard the plane to contain COVID.
We arrived in Frankfurt on Sunday morning and then continued to Hannover by train where our families picked us up. After almost 11 months spent together non-stop, it was time for Alex and Franzi to separate and spend some time with each family. Due to COVID, we had to quarantine for the first five days before being able to take a test to get us out of quarantine. Therefore, the first week was very relaxing and uneventful. We each worked out, Franzi baked, did some garden work to at least get some fresh air and played board games with her family.
On Friday, Lukas and Eileen also came to Franzi’s parents house from Switzerland. Luckily they were allowed to take a test right away and did not have to quarantine. Franzi and family celebrated the reunion with Sushi and Siracha Salmon. Also, Christmas tree shopping was on the list which is a classic family event at the Neumann’s.
Alex and family did pretty much the same. Tabea, Alex’s sister recently moved back to Barntrup. They hadn’t seen each other since almost two years. Thus, being forced to quarantine and spend time together with cooking and catching up was exactly what was needed. After the quarantine ended early with a negative COVID test, Alex had a good time with his cousin Felix going for some mountain biking. Later in the week, Alex’s dad came to Barntrup from Austria to also enjoy some time with the entire family together.
Franzi to Alex…
On Saturday, Alex picked up Franzi so she could also spend some time with his family. It was great to see everyone again after such a long time! Again, since Germany was in a hard lockdown, we spent time at home, cooking, eating and hanging out. On Monday, we were with Alex’s brother Constantin and his girlfriend Charlotte. Afterwards Franzi took the train back to Rotenburg. We each spent Christmas with our close families, just enjoying the hours together, cooking some fancy meals and admiring our Christmas trees.
…Alex to Franzi
Alex came over to Franzi’s family to also have the chance to spend some time with them on the 26th and we celebrated with a classic Christmas goose. On Monday, Alex and Franzi both drove back to Hannover, where we met up with Fabi (our good friend and roommate back in Berlin) for a socially distanced walk in the Herrenhaeuser Gaerten. Due to COVID we could not see many people but it was great to at least have some hours outside together. Back in Rotenburg, Franzi also met up for a socially distanced walk with her friend Nicola.
Goodbye 2020 – hello 2021
For New Year’s, we decided to spend the night at Constantine’s and Charlotte’s place. We cooked a very nice Mediterranean / Israeli inspired meal and time passed by faster than we could realize. Ten minutes before midnight we finished our desert and got to cheers to the New Year just in time.
2020 was definitely a challenging year with lots of ups and downs. It was tough not to see our family for the entire year which made us even more grateful to end the year with them. We’re looking forward to a 2021 with hopefully less earth-shattering events, more physical time with friends and family and new adventures in New York!
