Waking Up (to a Different Time)
Five months ago, when Manila was initially put under quarantine, I found myself waking up earlier than usual–around 5:30 am to 6 am–and being unable to go back to sleep (to read our first lockdown story, click here “When Time Stood Still”). I would start doing yoga in the quiet of the morning only to be brought out of my meditation by noisy chirping, intermittent squawks, or some loud birdcall. As I looked for the sources of the sounds, I discovered that the quarantine had offered newfound peace and quiet to wandering birds, and they were making themselves at home in the trees in and behind our house. With everyone kept at home, everything closed, and...
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