Even though winter is still petulantly taking its cool and wet mood out on us, we remain completely calm in the face of this sourpuss from last season; knowing full well that time is working for us and we are sitting at the longer calendar lever. Well, not really, of course, but winter doesn't know that either. Easter is just around the corner, the crocuses in full splendour at the roadside, which we can enjoy, should the traffic light in our direction of travel have just jumped to red again. Once eyes to the left on the edge of the road swung, because there funny, short purple things stretch in the height, so beautifully, so unimpressed by our stress; once breathed through and already the traffic light is green again. Which brings us to the topic at hand. Determined as we are, we are going to the countryside at Easter. Out even when it rains. Why is that? Isn't it all too human to want to enjoy the blossoming of nature after the barren days of winter? To rejoice in all that blooms, chirps and grows? To dream of the promise that each new spring so brings?
Enjoy, rejoice or let off steam. Here are five hidden parks and places that are particularly well suited for that.
1. The <link http: www.frankfurt-tourismus.de media attraktionen parkanlagen bethmannpark _blank>Bethmannpark. Situated at the end of Berger Straße at the level of Friedberger Anlage, it is easy to overlook the splendour it hides; namely a Chinese garden with ponds.
2. Hard to find is the "4-level garden" at the level of Eschenheimer Anlage, which forms part of the Wallanlangen created about 100 years ago. I christened the garden because it obviously has a nameless existence and of course it extends over, well, how many? Right, four levels. If anyone knows what my anonymous garden is called, please write! Once you have descended, the big city with its noise and bustle disappears in one fell swoop. Hard to find though: right by the snack bars at the traffic lights.
3. The <link https: www.frankfurt.de sixcms _blank>Hafenpark at the European Central Bank in the Ostend is particularly suitable for children with an affinity for exercise as well as for sporty adults; from basketball court to skating and fitness course, no wishes remain unfulfilled!
4. The<link http: schloesser-hessen.de _blank> monastery garden in Seligenstadt is one of the few completely preserved monastery complexes in Hesse. Founded in 830, the apothecary or kitchen garden has been reconstructed according to historical models.
5. A trip worth taking: to the <link http: www.mathildenhoehe.eu _blank>Mathildenhöhe in Darmstadt where a Russian chapel welcomes you as does a plantain grove. Not to forget the artists' colony!
Where do you like to spend Easter? Where are you drawn to the countryside? Happy Easter to you Sabina.
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