Memories of Germany
One of our many summer destinations in Darmstadt, Germany: (Der Woog) the lake Woog (in English pronounced with a long O). A most beautiful, landscaped and prepared lake for swimming, cold clear water for swimming, jumping from a high tower and swimming lanes marked for events and competition. An island in the center with an area of white sand for relaxing and taking in the sun, cabins for changing to bathing suits and showers for after swimming. It was in the outskirts of the city, a 15 minute streetcar ride from the center of the city. A beautiful, park-like area with orange-colored stucco buildings with flats for our city employees, like Professors at our Universities and city government. Landscaped with beautiful gardens with exotic trees, colorful flowers, little ponds with water-lillys and a lot of benches to rest and take in these colorful surroundings.
Once one realized at a certain age, the treasures we had right here in the city and the surroundings all reachable by street car, one could enjoy and treasure all this beauty, but… there always seems to be a “but” at the finish of a sentence like this.
I was born in 1927 and these beautiful wonders, gifts from our Seat of Power, the Duchy of Hessen, our Grand Duke and Duchess to the State of Hessen and the City of Darmstadt we were privileged to live, play and enjoy all the beauty surrounding us. Until 1939 when our lives were forced into a different direction. Dictatorship in Germany in 1933 when Adolf Hitler came to power not much did change for me up until then, we enjoyed all these gifts with gratitude toward our Royal Family until we lost it one by one when WWII and the bombings of cities started. Being children, we did realize then what we once had and now lost.
Two weeks of summer vacation from school, sunshine, swimming in the Woog, visiting the Gardens of the L’Orangerie, feeding the ducks in that beautiful pond in the Herren Garden with carefully saved crumbs in a napkin from our afternoon tea at the outdoor cafe in the Garden with our Mrs. Kramer.
Another memory is our trips to the island of Ruegen with mama, our Mrs. Kramer, my dear sister Friedl and me. Once at home, summer was still present and we could enjoy swimming at that beautiful lake Woog. We sometimes got to go by ourselves, but were told by Mrs. Kramer:
“stay safe, don’t stay too many hours in the water and get overly tired, come home safe and in time before supper”. We made the most and the best of our time – in the water. At some evenings we realized, when getting out of the water to get showered and dressed, that our lips were blue. Being aware, that was contrary to our orders we had received by our Mrs. Kramer, so we made a point on the way home to run, keep the blood pumping and not to forget to “bite our lips”. Mostly, it worked. Arrived at the correct time and looked very refreshed and smiling.
Reward from mama and our Mrs. Kramer? Big hugs!
As I read this wonderful short story, I was transported to Der Woog in Darmstadt, and I could hear Ilona and Friedl laughing and playing in the water, and could remember how fun it was to run home for dinner in the summer. I found more images of the lake on the internet, in addition to the lovely one posted here, which matches so beautifully the soft summertime feel of the story. The lake is really beautiful in Spring and Autumn as well. Thank you Ilona, for sharing this delightful memory.