With the end of the COVID-19 lockdown on the horizon, I feel it’s time to talk about what I’m looking forward to when everything is (almost) back to normal. Regular, everyday life seems like a distant memory, but if we play our cards right, hopefully, normality will be just around the corner. Of course, our definition of normal may have to change to include social distancing and face masks but I think it’ll be worth it.
Since the lockdown started, Aberdeen’s once-bustling streets have been left empty, like most places in the world. I can’t wait for when the streets are busy again and I can meet up with friends. We’ll go around the shops or grab a cup of tea and browse the shelves at Books and Beans, a second-hand bookshop and cafe. I’ll be surrounded by temptation in The Closet Vintage Shop and I’ll need to convince myself not to spend money I don’t have. When charity shops reopen, I can take along some donations (lockdown has given me plenty of time to clear out my wardrobe) and go back to finding new bargains and stepping out of my fashion comfort zone.
I miss date nights, I look forward to getting dressed up and going out with my boyfriend. I hope to go to some of our favourite pubs and restaurants after the lockdown loosens. Dinner at Bridge Street Social Club, Amarone or Molly Malones and then a trip to the cinema. Before Coronavirus, we often went to the independent, charity-run cinema, Belmont Filmhouse, to see new movies or re-showings of old films. Last February we went to see A Streetcar Named Desire (1951). It also has the Kino Bar, which is an informal cinema room with sofas and armchairs instead of conventional rows of seating. I took my boyfriend to see a favourite of mine, A Knight’s Tale (2001) at the Kino Bar last year and he loved it- that evening has to be in my top ten date nights.
Like most students right now, I’m desperate for a good night out. Oh, how I miss going on pub crawls down Union Street or splashing out on cocktails or, in my case, mocktails at Revolution before moving on to Underground- a club that plays mostly cheesy hits and rock/emo music. Some clubs have themed nights, which can be a good laugh. At the start of my first year, my new flatmates and I went to a High School Musical night at Underground, which helped me loosen up a little and get to know them better. I’m longing for the return of live music. Last December, my boyfriend and I went to see The Xcerts play live for the 10th anniversary of their album, “In the Cold Wind We Smile”- feels like years ago now. We also follow a local band called Bliss; we saw them play in a Battle of the Bands’ contest (which they won). So I’m really excited to see them play again when live music events return.
Just before lockdown, the Ice-skating society at RGU participated in a figure skating competition between the societies from different Scottish universities. My friend, Jade, and I entered the competition and spent a few weeks practising a routine to perform. This was a nerve-wracking yet memorable experience as I’ve only been learning to skate since I first arrived in Aberdeen 2 years ago. When the lockdown ends and I’m finally able to go to the rink, I’m going to be shaky and out of practice but I still can’t wait to lace up my skates and hear the scrape of the blades on the ice.
I’ve been to Aberdeen beach once since the COVID-19 outbreak and it was for a very breathless jog along the promenade. I’m looking forward to walking along the beach to Footdee (Fittie) or taking shelter from the freezing North Sea wind in one of the cafes on the beachfront for a hot chocolate and slice of cake. Due to the virus, Footdee and the cafes and shops have been closed to the public. When I was at the beach for my run, it just didn’t feel the same without the kids queuing up for ice-cream or the cafes full of people having lunch.
I’m looking forward to life post-lockdown. In August, I’ll be moving into a new flat with my boyfriend. This will be a great change of scenery after spending the entirety of lockdown in a tiny studio flat together. My current flat has treated me well but it’s time to move out of student accommodation and feel more like an adult with a flat of my own. My fingers are crossed that by September/October I’ll be sitting in RGU’s lecture halls for my third year.
Please let me know what you’re looking forward to after lockdown is lifted in the comments.
Photography: Fiona Mc, Linda Brown, Jamie Grant-Fraser
Thrifty Mango 
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