Back in early 2010, I was in Prague (in February, as it happens) and remember how much snow was still on the ground. In fact, the pavements were just solid paths of snow and people were commenting that it had lasted for longer than usual. However, I also remember that people were entirely at ease with it and went about their business.
Strangely, I don't remember it being that cold. I think it's the same situation as you describe: the air was dry, due to the distance from the sea, so while the temperature was well below zero, it didn't sink into your bones in quite the same way as it does in the UK.
I don't know the winter humidity, but it's quite high in summer. Summers here are seriously sweaty.
But I am enjoying the contrasts of the seasons. They're far more marked than in Britain. Summer is properly hot and sunny. Winter is properly cold, not just the grey and damp and mud of English winters.
Many years ago I found myself at the office of the Venezuelan military Attaché. I have no idea now why I was there, btw. There was a Russian colonel there (now, what was _he_ doing there) complaining about the English winter. Inevitably, I replied something about them having 'real' winters. He said they had 'proper' winters but not this humid autumn thing all year round.
Also, you may have seen this, that a Canadian friend here was quoting the other day:
( ... )
Yes, it's a bit like that. I've seen actual blizzards here, in just 1½ winters. But the city goes on untroubled.
The only thing that has stopped it was freezing fog -- /everything/ ended up coated in ice. The trams and trains all stopped and walking around this hilly city became seriously risky.
Like the Scandinavians, here, nobody ever wears shoes inside the house. Partly it keeps the house cleaner, but mostly, it stops you trekking snow into the house for half the year. You remove your footwear in the hall I do this here also but there is the matter of the back door - the kitchen floor becomes a kind of mud zone between garden and the house.
I liked the shoe-free house and mostly stuck to it for a decade... but I will, very occasionally, run back in in my shoes to pick up a forgotten essential.
The Norwegians seem not to have the thing with umpteen pairs of shoes for main house/balcony/garage/attic/bacxk garden/front garden etc., though. That was a mercy.
Comments 6
Strangely, I don't remember it being that cold. I think it's the same situation as you describe: the air was dry, due to the distance from the sea, so while the temperature was well below zero, it didn't sink into your bones in quite the same way as it does in the UK.
You've triggered a happy memory for me. Thanks.
Reply
But I am enjoying the contrasts of the seasons. They're far more marked than in Britain. Summer is properly hot and sunny. Winter is properly cold, not just the grey and damp and mud of English winters.
Glad you enjoyed the post - thanks for reading!
Reply
Also, you may have seen this, that a Canadian friend here was quoting the other day:
( ... )
Reply
Yes, it's a bit like that. I've seen actual blizzards here, in just 1½ winters. But the city goes on untroubled.
The only thing that has stopped it was freezing fog -- /everything/ ended up coated in ice. The trams and trains all stopped and walking around this hilly city became seriously risky.
Reply
I do this here also but there is the matter of the back door - the kitchen floor becomes a kind of mud zone between garden and the house.
Reply
I liked the shoe-free house and mostly stuck to it for a decade... but I will, very occasionally, run back in in my shoes to pick up a forgotten essential.
The Norwegians seem not to have the thing with umpteen pairs of shoes for main house/balcony/garage/attic/bacxk garden/front garden etc., though. That was a mercy.
Reply
Leave a comment