I feel like a five year old every time I get to experience snow fall. Last December was my first encounter with the snow in Amsterdam and I could not hide my excitement. Thick layers of snow and walking through it carefully to go to school everyday was such a fun. We fstopped complaining about the cold. I spent hours together looking out of the window of my apartment, seeing the snow pouring down. Amsterdam had one of the harshest winters last year and the canals froze. We had snow till the end of March and people really got fed up with it but not us, myself and some of my classmates from countries who do not get to experience the snow. This morning took me back to that morning on 20th December last year when i was woken up from sleep with a loud thump on my door, Andrea yelling in excitement,'come out, it is snowing'. Within matter of few minutes all the girls were out of bed, bundled in coats and shoes and we were downstairs jumping into snow. The pictures were taken and excited phone calls were made back home to describe the magical experience of waking up to snow covered surroundings. I was with my six friends last year and today I stood all alone by my window absorbing this white beauty all around. I must confess I felt a bit lonely. I did not pick up the phone to call up my family, nor did I take any pictures. I just stood by the window and kept looking at it all without real reason. I did not know what to do with the snow, how to feel about it but that did not stop me from being part of it.
Nuria wanted to see the snow before heading home. Amsterdam had its first snow 3 days ago and hence her wish was fulfilled. I was happy for her. Last night on phone, she assured me that I would have my share of snow soon. I hoped that she would board the flight to San Salvador in the company of snow. She flew out this morning and as she was leaving, she left me behind with the first snow of the season.. my thoughts went out to Nuria and her long trip across the Atlantic to her home land. Have a safe trip my friend.
Last year, he came to Amsterdam in the middle of massive snow storm on 22nd December. The flights were delayed and the airport was in chaos. I kept looking out of the window helplessly, there was no sign of weather having mercy on us. I kept tracking his flight on my computer screen. The snow accompanied us every single day of his stay in Amsterdam and he was almost frozen to death thanks to not having proper warm clothes and shoes. We stayed indoors most of the time and watched the snow together. I will be lying if i say I did not think of him this morning while looking out of the window. The snow is still the same, the surroundings are beautiful but a lot has changed between us in this one year. I did not dare to call him in excitement of the first snow fall, in fact there was no real excitement this time with the snow, it was rather pensive and reflexive reception of it. I realized it is soon going to be 2 months of my arrival in Leuven. How am I feeling? Am I doing better? I do not know. I have a long walk ahead through the snow and the rain and the wind and cycle of seasons not just for one year but for a lifetime ahead. The snow will melt away and daffodils and tulips will bloom, summer will bathe me in sunshine and the life will continue. Will it make me feel better in some ways? I have no idea but all I can do is to wait and watch what lies ahead.
Lost in these thoughts, I lost track of time this morning... the snow covered ground, and the roofs of the houses, the dark night sky with the faint moon shining through it..I stood by the window cold and frozen by the first snow...
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