First snow

Today was the first proper snowy day in Sarajevo.

Generally I love snow. Winter is my favorite season and I just adore the cold, the woolly jumpers, the cooked wine and skiing…

Somehow, it’s all very romantic and dazzling to me.

When the white covers the streets, it all looks so pure, so clean and innocent. And when you leave the house very early in the morning, it’s still night time, it’s silent, there is no one around, just you and the snow flakes, the street light glowing and the clean, white road ahead of you.

For me who grew up on the sea side, the mountains are the most amazing place on earth.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the beaches, sand, sea, sun… but winter is more romantic. Layers and layers of warm clothes, scarves, gloves, hats, socks… warm fires, watching snow fall through a window.. all these things bring out the child in me and all I want to do is go outside and play.

This morning was idyllic, the snow had been falling all night and the entire city was white.

I crawled out of bed early, too early even for my taste, had my morning coffee and realized the entire city lights were out even though it was still night.

Even more romantic, the glow of the pink sky and the large snow flakes on my window, falling in bundles.

I wear my warm clothes and step outside the clean my car. There is no one around, just half a meter of snow and a bunch of cars all covered.

Which one is mine?!

I desperately try to remember where I parked the small thing on a big parking lot… nothing.

I put on my gloves and start digging to try and find a small bright yellow car.

I step into half a meter of snow, in a matter of seconds, my trousers are wet, hands are cold, I am on my fifth car. Found it!

Now, already late for work, I get the engine running, the windows heated. I go back to the garage and take the shovel I had not used for the last 9 months (I was not prepared obviously).

I dig around the car, try to get rid of all the snow, wipe the windshields, wait the windows to defrost and then slowly try and get out of the spot the car was in for the past 7 hours.

I drive to work grumpy, cold, wet, frustrated and wishing I walked.

Isn’t winter romantic?