Thanks to social distancing during COVID-19, I get to live a very different life. This special time also has its good sides, and I find many things to be grateful for.
We live in an area close to the forest, and within the social distancing frame, taking walks for pleasure is still permissible. The cherry trees are blooming, we’ve had sunny weather, and I’ve had many chances to get out and about.
Even in the midst of a green leafed forest, if you happen to look up in the right spot, you can spot a cherry tree just as tall as the others. I would assume it was 10-15m in height.
I have the extra time to take morning walks, often with a friend on my side. I’ve noticed more Germans being friendly and saying hello while passing.
On a different note, once, we saw a female jogger heading our way. When she was about 10 m away from us, she suddenly left the way and ran into the forest, hopped on a tree stump, and stood there, as if she was getting ready for a ski jump. We passed by her, continued walking, and then turned around to watch her run off again. This was the most overcareful measure of safety precaution I had ever seen. This will remain rather unforgettable.
I know, some people are burdened by fear and anxiety because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Fortunately, I’m not one of them. I will make do with what I have, and enjoy it: a good sense of humor, wine in the bottle, and a good friend on my side.
A euphemistic term for this period of slowing down in German is:
die Entschleunigung.
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”
– Anne Bradstreet (Writer, Poet, First woman to be published in Colonial America)
