Türlersee. A nature reserve near Aeugst and Hausen am Albis. Close to Kappel Abbey. A popular local recreation area, especially now on these hot summer days. Forest and water make for an appealing outing. Day after day. Full car park, children’s laughter, happy splashing, exploration trips in an inflatable boat. Full of life.
Aika, our dog, enjoys cooling off too.
And then, on a Monday in August: silence. Nothing anymore. Almost eerie, even if perhaps good for nature. Just a few people left, older ones. Or unemployed. Otherwise emptiness. Still blazing sunshine.
The school gates have swallowed the children again. Locked away from life. Into classrooms that have to be aired every 30 minutes so no COVID infection happens. Enough oxygen gets into lungs and brain. And on a tablet or a worksheet they learn about frogs and newts. About water birds, and they do movement exercises next to their desks.
A world of its own.
Peace lies
Over every peak,
In every treetop
You sense
Hardly a breath;
The little birds fall silent in the woods.
Just wait! Soon
You too will rest.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832)