A summer that is over

The sunny days have come with water splashing moments and the long nights have made our parties grander. But as the temperature begins to drop, the reality of summer is quickly coming to an end. For many, school is starting, parents are out shopping for new clothes and school supplies and college students are preparing for their annual return to campus.

End of summer blues

Mauricio Torres © Solkes

The summer comes to its end we are all filled with and end-of-summer gloominess. No matter how you live it, what you experienced, the sadness fills you up.

Lots of people complaint about the extreme temperatures (35 – 39 degrees Celsius), I was one of them. But, when the temperatures drop and the sun stops shining we will miss it.

End of summer blues are a common sickness. It is everywhere and everyone gets them. I have learned that since living in the old continent.

They are felt and discussed about it in the office, during dinner parties and drinking gatherings. Changes are hard and the end of summer can be particularly difficult for more than a few reasons.

Summer to the max

For all of us who live in Europe the summer is a special moment. People make huge changes when the summer ends. Some try to be less of a recluse, to see old friends more often and to make regular trips.
But, the people who live in Berlin live the summer differently. It is not just a matter of having warmer weather after months of grey skies with no sunlight. It is much more than a random visit to a swimming pool or barbecuing in the many parks all around the city.

Naudylver Martinez © Solkes

Every single summer is wide open and shimmering with possibilities. So, this is a reminder of the summer days and night we had. This is the farewell of this season and the welcoming of the changes in the wind.

They say summer in Berlin doesn’t last long, just a few weeks between July and August. In my experience the German capital has much more than sun bathing during this time period.

For those of us in Berlin the summer is a moment to live fully. The U Bahn (metro) even changes smells, case in point: the U8. It is summer and if we know something for a fact is that this magnificent weather will soon be gone.

Let us begin by the fact that Berlin, like many other cosmopolitan cities, has a huge gastronomic variety.

Berlin always has a rhythm of its own and in summer nothing compares to it.

In Berlin people can eat delicious hamburgers 24/7 365 days a year. The difference is that in the summer time, you eat outdoors. Hamburgers of all types and sizes, for vegetarians or carnivores alike. Its a matter of choosing. A summer day in the German capital has to include snack bars and outdoor beer drinking. Street food is delicious.

Laura Viera A © Solkes

Pure party

On the other hand, raves are a go-to option for any Berliner (original or new). People love to rave, and since a closed club is not an option during the summer nights are spent at the Watergate balcony, Badeschiff or Club der Visionäre.

Another party activity (in Berlin everything is a party activity) are the festivals that take place across the entire city, while others are organized by individual neighborhoods.

The open air celebrations are enlightened by several festival that take place, street parties, folk parties as well as concerts. The only option is to be a part of it.

There are opera singers, stage actors, rock artists, jazz greats, or entire orchestras can be seen at a number of beautiful locations.

The best part is that if you just don’t feel like being in the midst of all the chaos all of this cultural program can be found outside the city, in the woods or near the water.

With a bike, beer and stars

Another summer plan is to visit the International Berlin Beer Festival. Ok, its not Oktoberfest, but the beer festival in Berlin is a great place to be if you are a beer lover.

The favorite spot for Berliners to spend their summer is under the stars. Just looking at the stars. The way to do this: a rooftop.

Laura Viera A © Solkes

As a matter of fact, Berlin has charm of its own and when you are observing it from a high place its even better. But, discovering it on two wheels is awesome! Berlin was made for the bike because its flat and there are bike routes all over.

During the summer weeks cruising around on a bike is delicious. Riding on colorful streets when the weather is fine, music bursting from balconies, snack bars opened until high hours, nothing compares to it.

And, a bike tour is an unforgettable experience. Without a doubt the best way to discover the city. People can buy a bike in the flee markets, rent or go to a touring office.

In the warm months of the year, there are many open air concerts. People just don’t have the option to complaint about the lack of cultural events.

In summer, all of Berlin turns into a stage. The theater in Berlin pulsates during the summer. Some ensembles even take advantage of the warm weather to relocate the whole theatre and perform in the open air in warm summer evenings under a sky full of stars.

You can do whatever you want here, no one complaints. People just want to enjoy the sunshine. I think people party during the summer like there is no tomorrow.
The Berliner cinema scene lets the heart of every cineaste beat faster. It is possible to see many movies under the Berlin sky, eating a pizza, döner and drinking apple joice, wine or beer.

The Nature

One of the best parts of Berlin is that nature is all around it. By this I mean that there are a few lakes around the city. Berlin has plenty of perfectly pleasant beaches, most of which are just a ride away. The best-known is Strandbad Wansee, the oldest and largest Lido in Europe. Wansee is well-known for its lovely long beach and classic seaside atmosphere. The classic German scene is a give: sausages, ice cream and beer.

However, there are several great urban beaches and pools right in the city center. People have many places to choose, from the iconic Badeschiff to the Afro-Caribbean beach bar Yaam and Haubentaucher. The Columbiabad in Neuköllnis one of the places to spend a few hours. This place is large and with lush green lawns. The pools are clean and you can either jump from a 10 meter rank or slide down the exorbitant waterslide.

On the other hand, if the city feels too crowded, people just go to one of the city’s countless lakes. My favorite is Lipenitzsee. Here the water is crystal clear and refreshing.
A regular plan, all year long is to drink a beer. Above all, during summer, a cold beer is perfection.

Laura Viera A © Solkes

For many, summer equals beer garden season and Berlin has plenty of charming options for both drinking beer and dining outdoors.

Summer should not be a constant reminder of forgone pleasures; empty hammocks, drinks, flip flops, among others. At some point, people start to suspect that they might not end up doing all they planned. So, an unfamiliar capacity to appreciate whatever happiness comes our way creeps in.

The common feelings are: bewilderness about how unexpectedly everything turned out, regretful about all the things that did not happen, grasping the handful of friends and funny stories I’ve amassed, and pondering where it all went.

It is the perfect moment for the three “r”. By this we mean: relaxation, recharging and re-organizing your resources and life. As we all know it once September comes, madness usually breaks loose and time once again becomes a quantity much in demand, but short in supply.

The end of summer makes me sad. I hate going back to the routine. I hadn’t really thought about it until now. When the rains begin, it will all be over.

In the end

Even if the summer blues are starting to creep in there are several things to keep in mind.

Laura Viera A © Solkes

Yes, the summer days where great and the nights were even better. But, they will come to an end and there is nothing to it, meaning that an easier way to survive it is thinking about all the ways to enjoy the fall.

Another thing is that when the summer is over and the wind starts there are other activities to do. They are: hot chocolate, wearing cozy sweaters, reading by the fire, going for long walks in the park and not dying of the overheating situation.

Berlin is taking to the streets. Summer or winter, people are drawn outdoors to celebrate and eat, discuss, do art and music.

All in all I must say that the end of summer means the end of fun for many people. The relaxed and blithe summer days are gone, no more leaving work early, and no more picnics or barbecues.
Days are irrefutably getting cooler and shorter and for those sensitive to light, this can contribute to the end of summer blues. Rainy days start being more frequent. The mood changes. THE END of summer is here.

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