NATURE. INSPIRATION.

When it’s Hot in Germany

It doesn't happen often but this time I was melting away

I’m lying in my hammock overlooking the small lake. The place had been emptied and just a few people were still to be seen on the beach. The wind is blowing through the tree tops and I am covered in seeds, pollen, and flowers.

“Take time to do what makes your soul happy.” — Unknown

It has been one of the hottest days I’ve experienced in a long time. And surely the hottest one this year in Germany.

I woke up at 6 am. I had a hard and long not only weekend but a couple of weeks behind me. I was supposed to be sleeping in this Monday morning. My only day off in the week.

Instead, I found myself doing the dishes that had been ignored on Sunday and had thrown in a load of laundry already before crawling back into bed just before 7 am in an attempt of getting a bit more sleep in.

Once again, I was busy the whole day. Suffering through the heat of the day I washed and hung up three loads of laundry while trying not to melt away. I failed on staying hydrated as every drop of water I was drinking got sweated out.

Even though we were both exhausted, we had to do a grocery run. Not only our fridge but our shelves are empty after a week of not being home.

The temperature was at 36°C (97°F) at 5 pm when I decided I had to do something to cool myself down.

After packing away all the groceries, I jumped into the car and drove off to the lake. I had asked my husband but he wasn’t into it. He complained about the heat and preferred to be napping in front of the air cooler on the bed.

I wanted a big cold splash.

It wasn’t as cold as I had hoped for but it was refreshing.

I got to the small lake and while I expected to see people I surely wasn’t expecting that many. I could see from afar the tiny beach being packed with people like sardines.

I changed my plan of action and stopped on the side of the lake where bushes and trees were lining the water. I selected a spot where I could set up the hammock and quickly jumped into the water.

The water wasn’t as cold, at least not on the surface. But it was nice. As I was swimming across the lake I could feel some colder water underneath. When I just paddled enough with my arms and legs I could surround myself with cooler parts of it.

After an extended swim out there I got out and made myself comfortable in the hammock. I ignored the people far away and just listened to the wind that was slowly picking up.

I read.

I slept.

I read some more.

And fell asleep again.

My body temperature had cooled down and so did my mind.

It’s 7 pm now and most people have left. I can see a few more playing in the water and two people left on the beach. The temperature has dropped a little as the wind picked up more and more.

I am watching big cloud formations building up on the horizon wondering if we can expect a thunderstorm tonight.

A few minutes later raindrops start falling. The first ones I ignored. Sitting in my hammock protected from the tree canopy above my head I just lay there feeling refreshing droplets of water on my skin.

Eventually, I packed up and left. But I’ll be back here. With my hammock, that is for sure.

“Sometimes it feels so good to just sit by yourself, relax and not talk to anyone.” — Kristen Butler

More stories about hammock life and relaxing in nature:

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