(no subject)
Usually, when the sky is like this I expect to look out the window and see the streets covered in show. When it snowed in Chita, the snow covered every surface like a big blanket, covering up any glaringly ugly monuments (although it never really quite covered the big red granite statue of uncle Lenin) and instantly the city looked cleaner and brighter. Unlike the rain, falling snow does not make any noise. The only thing you can hear is a distant murmur of conversation between your neighbours and the crunching of the snow under your feet. It’s very peaceful and it may seem like everything is standing still. When it snows for the first time, usually in October, no matter how many winters you lived though, that first day is always special and maybe even a little bit magical. For those who see it for the first time, it is probably surreal. Winter made me feel warm and happy even though the cold weather was not very forgiving. I still feel the mixed feelings of adoration and anticipation that I’ve felt on the first day of winter on days like today. I think it has little to do with winter in Australia and more to do with the grey, misty sky and my distant memories of home.