The Never Ending Winter...

I think that it is safe to say that this year, countries worldwide have experienced record-breaking snowfalls, and Germany is no exception. Germany has not seen this magnitude of snow in over 30 years. This winter, Autobahns (highways) and train lines have been, at times, inaccessible, thereby isolating entire villages in the northern German states (such as Mecklenburg Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein.) For most Germans, this has been a nightmare, but for an exchange student from sunny Austin, Texas, this winter has been magical.

With the first real snowfall a few weeks before Christmas and with the snow exponentially increasing since then, Berlin has been decked under a white blanket for over two months. During this time, I have been able absorb both the positive and negative aspects of a white winter.

When the first, thick flakes begin to fall, one cannot help, but to spend all day starring out of the window. The snow seems to dance as is it slowly floats down to the ground. It is entrancing, memorizing, and magical to watch. The city transforms into a wonderland, with its snow-covered, stone churches, old, wooden houses, and beautiful government buildings.

Shoveling snow infront of the house

Opa infront of the house

Inexperienced in the art of snow activities, I was eager to try everything. From building snowmen, engaging in snowball fights to shoveling the sidewalk, I wanted to experience it all.

The snowman that Mina and I built

The same snowman after being stylishly clothed by Opa

However, by middle January, my initial awe had begun to wear off, and the reality of this never-ending winter began to appear. The S-bahn (above ground train) faced delays, the sidewalks were impossible to navigate and the dark, dreary clouds that covered the sky seemed to never fade. I missed the sun, I missed the warmth, and I was ready for winter to end.

The snow was suffocating at times

Every season has an end, and I think that it is safe to say that die Zeit des Winters ist vorbei (the season of winter has ended.) I am wake in the morning by the rising sun and am greeted with the cheerful song of the birds. Flowers are starting to appear in the garden, and bike riding is again a possibility. While I enjoyed the season of winter, and the new and exciting experiences that it brought, I confess that the prospect of having warmer, cheerier weather is relief to my warm-blooded, Texan self.