I'm Sandy. I live in Sicily, in Italy. But I can't leave my apartment. Thanks Covid-19.
I'm trying to talk to one person from as many countries as possible to find out what's going on where they are, and how it's affecting their lives.
Taking a bit of a break to concentrate on some other projects. But a huge thanks to everyone who's been on so far, and everyone who's listened. Maybe speak again soon.
12 Apr 2020
16 - Extended Quaranty (Alexandra in Hungary; Jen in Cambodia; Art in Northern Ireland)
Alexandra is an actor, translator and TV maker living in Budapest, in Hungary. Jen is a volunteer coordinator at a bear sanctuary in Cambodia. Art is a teacher, writer and illustrator living in Omagh, in Northern Ireland.
We hear about the impact of travel bans on the global volunteering sector, and the pressures on NGOs. We talk about the performing and creative arts in Hungary, and get an update from Northern Ireland. Then we decide that dogs are ace, learn how to say 'an ant bit my nipple' in Khmer, and 'bear' in Irish. We encourage you to draw all over your kitchen walls.
The intro music is a street in Dublin coming together to sing from their front gardens on St Patrick's Day.
To find out more about the santuary where Jen works, visit www.freethebears.org (www.freethebears.org).
9 Apr 2020
15 - Sealed In (Robbin in New York; Julia in Canada; Marc in Austria)
Robbin is a children's librarian living in Brooklyn, New York. Julia is an author and editor living in Edmonton, in Alberta in Canada. Marc is an avalanche researcher and possible supervillain living in a secret mountaintop lair near Innsbruck in Austria.
The seals have taken over Brooklyn Zoo! Some people start avalanches for "research" purposes - find out how and give it a try it at home! We discover that some businesses are set to reopen in Austria and learn how that's being received locally. Also featuring a discussion of the effect that the outbreak has had on Passover celebrations, insight into how schools and libraries are moving their services online, and tales from an animal-themed wedding.
The opening music is a police unit singing to locals on balconies in Adana, Turkey.
7 Apr 2020
14 - Marking Quarantime (Diisha in South Korea; Dan in Spain)
Diisha is a English lecturer living in Iksan, South Korea. Dan is a teacher and stand-up comedian living in Madrid, Spain.
Diisha gives us an insight into what it's like to be eight and a half months pregnant during the Covid-era. South Korea is held up as a model of how to cope with the virus, but we hear that there are no quarantine restrictions in Iksan. We get a fascinating insight into the local healthcare system and screening programme. How has Spain changed since we last heard from Dan three weeks ago? Sandy is outnumbered by Americans... is there a rivalry between Virginia and the Cheese Belt? Featuring fashion tips from the Madrid facemask world.
Intro music: A military policeman in India sings to onlookers on their balconies.
Find out more about Dan's work through his fantastic website www.elinglesesrocknroll.com (https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/www.elinglesesrocknroll.com) and Twitter: @breakbadEnglish (https://twitter.com/breakbadEnglish)
6 Apr 2020
13 - Family Quarantime Boogie (Zoé in France; Ryan in New Zealand)
Zoé is studying to be a speech therapist and lives in Arras, in France. Ryan is a probation officer in Northland, in New Zealand.
In an episode heavy on law and order, Ryan explains some of the implications of the shutdown on the legal system and Zoé reveals a surprising source of protective masks in her town. We plan the launch of a new sports TV channel using only mobile phones, and Ryan is tasked with organising New Zealand to perform a Haka. We talk bear hunts and Michael Rosen. This episode is directed by David Lynch.
4 Apr 2020
12 - Happy (Quaran)times (Brian in Peru; Paco in Mexico)
Brian works for an entrepreneurial guidance nonprofit and lives in Lima, in Peru. Paco is an actor and drama teacher living in Monterrey, in Mexico.
We find out about the incredible speed of the Peruvian response to Covid, and the ways in which Mexican businesses have been helping out the people most affected by the situation there. What are the advantages of a tactical dog? Which football teams don't mind seeing the season end? And just what are the secrets of the Happy Times philosophy? We learn that Peru has 4,000 kinds of potato and the challenges this presents in a Covid quarantine. Techno-dancing pallbearers and Spanish Freddie Mercury impersonators make an appearance.
The opening music is the Israeli song 'Shevet Ahim Veahot' performed from a balcony by a band in the city of Petah Tikvah to serenade a couple who had just got married in the courtyard of the apartment complex below.
2 Apr 2020
11 - Don't Quari, Be Happy (Stephanie in Bulgaria; Yael in Israel)
Stephanie is a translator and subtitler living near Varna in Bulgaria. Yael is an actor, improviser and comedian living in Tel Aviv, in Israel.
We talk international comedy, confirm that the Germans do have a sense of humour but find out some of the challenges of being an Israeli performing in English for a Berliner audience. We learn where in the world you'd find the Village of the Boobs, discuss the power of positive visualisation and the perils of travel in the current situation. How have Italian priests been having trouble with Instagram? How do you find the tax haven that's right for you? And when can we start the Salt'n'Pepa singalongs?
The intro music is Mallorcan police officers singing to quarantined residents. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEpkUawiLKA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEpkUawiLKA)
If you'd like to know more about Yael's comedy check her out on Facebook (zibeldibel (https://www.facebook.com/zibeldibel)) or Instagram (@yael_rozanes_page (https://www.instagram.com/yael_rozanes_page)).
31 Mar 2020
10 - Quarantime Wine Time (Sophie in Australia; Justin in South Africa)
Sophie is a former teacher and current postgrad research student in Sydney, in Australia. Justin is office manager for an education and assessment company living in Johannesburg, in South Africa.
It's early morning in Sicily and South Africa, but 5 o'clock somewhere. Wine rationing has kicked in Down Under, but Sophie's finding a way to survive. We talk about messages and measures that reassure people and hear two different responses to being told to stay indoors. What still counts as essential in different countries, and what exactly IS a level four lockdown?
The intro song is a rendition of Happy Birthday from Lebanon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SebetdfV0BY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SebetdfV0BY).
29 Mar 2020
9 - Once Upon a Quarantime (Félix in Argentina; Kate in Luxembourg)
Félix is a stand-up comedian living in Buenos Aires. Kate is an interpreter living in Luxembourg.
How do you perform comedy online? What does an 11 month-old miss most at the moment? Why is it so hard to find a Luxembourger in Luxembourg? We find out how the shutdowns have affected work from the European Court of Justice to the airports of Central America. We talk animal outfits and singing beer bottles, and send a modern message in a bottle.
Félix has been a comedian for 16 years, and has been seen on Comedy Central and Paramount Comedy. Every evening at 21.30 (Argentinian time) he is live streaming new material from his instagram account, @Felixbuenavelix (https://www.instagram.com/felixbuenavelix/). Check him out!
27 Mar 2020
8 - If I Could Turn Back Quarantime (Karen in Norway; Rusty in Chile)
Karen is a performing arts teacher and showjumper living in Drøbak in Norway. Rusty is a theatre teacher and writer living in Santiago in Chile.
Chatting with two parents, we talk about ways to discuss Covid with young children and how to keep them busy at home. Can you turn your entire home into a board game? Karen teaches us the Norwegian optimism song and brings her A game to suggesting songs for the Brits to sing to each other. Rusty tells us how he came late in life to horse riding, and we talk sweary mayors and their drone use. There's a really weird outtake about pangolins.
26 Mar 2020
7 - Right Quaranplace, Wrong Quarantime (Rob in Taiwan; Gemma in Ireland)
Rob is a cycling tour manager living in Taiwan. Gemma is a lawyer living in Ireland.
We pick through some of the ways in which Taiwan has such early success containing the outbreak, and learn about the measures in place in Ireland. What do you do when life doesn't give you lemons? When is the safest time to stop watching Game of Thrones? An how many hours on a bike counts as a single piece of exercise? We discuss being away from your family in the time of Covid... and moving back to them!
When this is over you're going to want to stretch your legs - so find out more about Rob's brilliant Pedal Taiwan tours at pedaltaiwan.com (www.pedaltaiwan.com).
(Edited to remove the gremlins present on the first upload)
24 Mar 2020
6 - Quarantime on our Hands (Alex in Lombardy; Hadis in Iran)
Alex is an actor and teacher living in Brescia, in Lombardy in Italy. Hadis is a Personality Psychologist and Meditation Coach living in Mashhad, in Iran.
On this episode we speak to people living in two of the areas of the world most affected by Covid-19 at this point in time. We learn about the differing rules and restrictions in place, find out about the Iranian New Year celebrations and discuss personal coping strategies. At the end of the episode Hadis reveals a truly amazing side-effect of the outbreak in Iran.
You can find out more about Hadis' work through her instagram, Ha.dis.b.n (http://instagram.com/Ha.dis.b.n).
22 Mar 2020
5 - Quarantime Zones (Dan in England; Julia in Canada; Kirk in Florida)
Dan is a record store manager living in Hemel Hempstead in England. Julia is a literary editor living in Edmonton, in Alberta in Canada. Kirk is a Disney legend living in Orlando in the USA.
How to manage your kids when the schools close? Which Canadian sports legend did the director of the WHO compare to Covid-19? We organise a celebrity reunion for educational purposes, teach spelling and gin tasting, and change the game with the launch of #QuarantineLegoClub.
Dan is also the host of Gridiron Gentlemen (http://www.gridirongentlemen.com/), Britain's most elegant NFL podcast. Stay in touch with them on Twitter (@GridironGents (https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/@GridironGents)).
21 Mar 2020
4 - Quarantime Gentlemen, Please (Summer in Berlin; Duncan in Scotland)
Summer is a theatre-maker, writer and all-round impressario living in Berlin. Duncan is a rouge marine biologist and occasional seaweed entrepreneur living in Cardross in Scotland.
We talk theatre, from Drunk Shakespeare and Alice in Wonderland to Peter Gok Wan: The Panto. Why have all the Germans turned into hamsters? Will the tragic lipstick ever see action again? Sandy reclaims a debt from an old traffic fine and Duncan's Dad steals the show without even appearing.
Summer (@winter.streams (@winter.streams) on Twitter) can be seen from the comfort of your own sofa in Drunk Classics (facebook.com/drunkclassicsberlin), streaming live on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/druncb (https://www.twitch.tv/druncb)) every Saturday at 9CET.
Duncan is a member of the Gridiron Gentlemen (http://www.gridirongentlemen.com/), Britain's most refined NFL podcast. Stay in touch with them on Twitter (@GridironGents (@GridironGents)).
20 Mar 2020
3 - Signor Quarantimi (Art in Northern Ireland; Laurie in L.A.)
Art is a writer, performer and occasional zookeeper living in Omagh. Laurie is an advertising copywriter living in L.A.
We talk penguins and whiskey-flavoured hand santiser, we meet Arthur the Adventurer and stoke the fires of panic-buying carrots in California. Aren't the roaring twenties great? Sandy tries not to get confused between Northern Irish towns.
Find out more about some of the things we discussed on Twitter @Quarantimepod (https://twitter.com/QuarantimePod).
17 Mar 2020
1 - A Brief History of Quarantime (Sandy in Sicily)
An introduction to Quarantime: The Podcast. I'm Sandy. I live in Sicily, in Italy. I can't leave my apartment. Thanks, Covid-19.
I'm trying to talk to one person from as many countries as possible about what's going on. But first, a bit about me. Because: ego, basically.
If you know me you can probably skip this.
Sandy is the director of Global English Theatre, a company who use theatre to teach English. www.globalenglishtheatre.com (www.globalenglishtheatre.com) - FB www.facebook.com/globalenglishtheatre (www.facebook.com/globalenglishtheatre) - IG https://www.instagram.com/globalenglishtheatre/ (https://www.instagram.com/globalenglishtheatre/)
17 Mar 2020
2 - The Special Quarantime (Rhys in Beijing; Dan in Madrid)
Rhys is a teacher trainer and musician living in Beijing. Dan is a teacher, interpreter and stand up comedian living in Madrid.
We find out what the Chinese call the Covid outbreak, how half Madrid got in trouble with the authorities and discuss the pros and cons of the elbow bump. What are the signs that life in Beijing is starting to return to normal? Is the mayor of Bari still in his park?
Find out more about Dan's work through his fantastic website www.elinglesesrocknroll.com (www.elinglesesrocknroll.com). Apparently not available in China.
Twitter: @breakbadEnglish (https://twitter.com/breakbadEnglish)
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