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It's finally summer here in Germany, so we've put our heavy winter jackets aside and are trying to make the most of the season and the sunshine. Although the weather is pleasant, it can also get incredibly hot at times, and it's becoming quite difficult to deal with.
Even though I come from India, a tropical country known for its heat, I'm used to spending most of my time in air-conditioned rooms. Still, I've always considered myself fairly tolerant of hot weather. Here, however, I feel like the heat is getting the better of me. Maybe my body has simply adjusted to the cold over the past few months.
Yesterday was especially warm, and everyone seemed to be out enjoying picnics. There's an online platform called Meetup where strangers organize events, meet at cafés, or simply get together and socialize. A picnic had been planned in a park that's only a 20-minute walk from my house, so I decided to join. One of my friends, who had recommended the platform to me, was planning to come as well.
I left home and immediately realized just how hot it was outside. It was much warmer than I had expected, but there wasn't much to do except continue on. After my walk, I reached the park. It took me a little while to find the exact spot where everyone was gathered, but eventually I found them.
The setup was very cozy. People were sitting on blankets, eating, sharing food and drinks, and chatting with one another. I joined in, and before long, two women approached me. I'm naturally a bit shy and usually need some time to approach new people, so I appreciated that they took the initiative. We started talking, and one of them offered me a drink.
As the evening went on, I spoke with several others. There were people from all over the world: Italy, Serbia, Turkey, Iran, China, Vietnam, and Germany, among other places. I've always been fascinated by meeting people from different cultures. Back in India, I didn't have many opportunities to do that, so now that I do, I'm genuinely excited to hear everyone's stories.
One of the women had brought a set of conversation cards containing fun and thought-provoking questions. We took turns drawing cards and answering them. What made it interesting was how a simple question could quickly evolve into a much deeper discussion. Before long, we were talking about philosophy, spirituality, politics, and all sorts of other topics. I honestly had a wonderful time.
I hadn't expected to enjoy myself so much because I can be a little awkward in large groups. Once I decide to switch into extrovert mode, I can mingle quite easily, but it usually takes me some time to get there. Fortunately, the people were incredibly welcoming. Everyone made an effort to include others, start conversations, and get to know one another.
I followed suit because that was exactly why I had come. I wanted to learn about different people, hear their stories, and understand their perspectives. It ended up being both an enjoyable and enlightening evening.
The event was officially scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. I arrived around 6:30, but we ended up staying until nearly 10 p.m. Most people left after nine, leaving only six or seven of us behind. From the beginning, we'd naturally formed a smaller group and seemed to connect particularly well with one another, so we stayed and continued talking.
One thing I absolutely love about Germany is how late the sun sets during summer. Even at 10 p.m., it still feels like early evening because there's so much daylight left. The sun doesn't set until around 9:30 p.m., so it never really feels late.
The weather remained quite warm until about 8:30 p.m., after which it gradually cooled down and became much more pleasant. By the end of the evening, the temperature was perfect, and it felt like the ideal way to spend a summer night.
And honestly, as I headed home, my only thought was: that was much better than I expected. What began as a simple picnic with strangers turned into an evening full of laughter, interesting discussions, and genuine connections. If anything, it reminded me that some of the best experiences happen when you take a chance and show up. 😊
