Summer in the city

By Richard Peters

Phew! What a scorcher this summer has been! After a few delightful weeks of warm spring weather, then a few cooler weeks of “oh no, is this how it’s going to stay?”, things got really sweaty here in Munich for a while.

I don’t know how many times over the past two months I’ve sat at my computer and tried to start writing this blog piece. Each time, the heat just sucked the creativity out of me: I would find myself staring at a blank sheet of virtual paper in Microsoft Word for a while until giving up.

Now, at last, a day or two of cooler weather is upon us; as I write these words, I can sense a soothing susurration salve my sizzling soul as the city traffic slips past my window, wheels softly skimming the asphalt of a street still wet from recent rain. I can write again!

So how did I cope with the heat? Physically, with open windows, vigorous fanning, and a repression of my urge to head out into the sun and revel in the thrill of its touch on my skin. Emotionally, by not – I repeat, NOT! – imagining lying on a secluded beach somewhere in the South Seas, in the merciful shade of a graciously stooping palm, refreshing cocktail in hand.

My flat has no air conditioning; historically, central Europe hasn’t had a climate that would necessitate it. In an ordinary summer, people would flock to scenic spots to enjoy the sunny weather, then gather in large crowds on restaurant terraces or in beer gardens to make the most of the balmy evenings. But this is no ordinary summer: we must maintain our distance from one another to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

In Munich, I can jump on my bike and ride all the way up or down the river Isar to find a secluded patch of riverbank and dangle my feet in the cool water. Many other cities aren’t blessed with the same geography, and their inhabitants must either swelter at home or risk exposing themselves to the virus if they visit the same jam-packed beach or park or piazza as everyone else.

People living in the countryside are largely spared these worries, of course, but I’ve always been an urbanite. Luckily, lockdown restrictions here in Germany have been much less onerous to date than elsewhere; for example, we have yet to be confined to our homes or obliged to wear face masks in open spaces.

As the summer draws to a close, here’s hoping a glorious autumn awaits: with golden hues, pleasant temperatures, a rising tide of health and happiness all around – and, best of all, the urge – and ability – to be creative once again!