Lucky at last

After a rather strange experience with accompanying patients to a set of diagnostic procedures in Germany and an even stranger one which didn't even happen, I subconsciously avoided further involvement in the project. I did think of volunteering often and almost signed up for the job a couple of times, only to find myself worrying about what kind of people I'd meet this time - until I'd let it all be and stay home. By November, however, I decided to get out of my comfort zone and give it another chance. With a planned surgery, I knew what to expect in terms of timetable and workload. In terms of the patient, I'd just hope for the best.
Turns out, "best" was a gross understatement since the guy turned out to be close to amazing. You'd rarely find such a positive attitude in perfectly healthy individuals, not to mention his motivation, dedication and psychophysical fitness. Needless to say, I was fire and flame before we even took off, and the feeling would prove right throughout another Erlangen experience. 
Since we really clicked well, I'd spend much more time than necessary in the hospital, often just walking up and down the halls in an attempt to kill time and achieve his daily fitness goals. 
See my dedication has no limits whatsoever if I just get a sense of appreciation paired with being surrounded by the right people. 
And whenever I was off duty, I would find myself wandering the green places of Erlangen while letting my mind let go of everything. Only that the places this time weren't exactly green at all. For most of the time, the city would be covered in shades of grey, while nature covered itself in autumn wardrobe. 

The Botanical garden was pretty as ever, despite (or just because of) the fact that it was emptier than usual. 

This, on the other hand, would invite wild animals to come closer than they normally would... 

... which would go hand in hand with wandering around through the display of colours and not meeting a soul. Because it's little things like this that will make an introvert's heart beam of joy, regardless of the rather unfriendly weather.

Of course, the signs of autumn would reach past the Botanical garden itself.

The nearby city park was all covered in gold, too...

... as well as various places throughout the city center. 

And since accompanying a surgery would mean early morning wake-ups...

... I'd even find myself pondering up my favourite hill before breakfast, with the morning frost suggesting I should have brought my cap and gloves with me. 

However, the icy crystals would disappear as soon as the sun came out, meaning the days were still pretty much nice, comfortable, and full of colours. 

And once inside the greenhouses, one could walk through never-ending summer anyway.

By the time my Erlangen experience came to an end, though, outdoor flowers became rare...

... birds would remember their habit of visiting the feeding station...

... and slowly but surely, first signs of Christmas time began to appear in the city itself. 

And from the looks, Christmas in Erlangen sounds like something I should try sometime.