Journeys in the Snow

By writing this post, I hope to bring myself back to America. That's how it is. I'm feeling terribly nostalgic and lonely at the moment. Sweden is particularly cold and dark this evening. The wind howls and snow and ice tapping at my window is the only contact I have with the chilling outdoors.

Well, it's not all as depressing as it sounds. I have discovered today that I really enjoy biking in the snow. What I mean is, I have a devil-may-care attitude about falling from my bicycle. It's a neo-progressive mentality.

Here's the scenario: -6C weather, 28+kmh wind gusts, rapid snow flying about. I wrapped myself up tight in my scarf before heading home from class (9am-11am, 1pm-3pm). The entire bike was covered in ice and snow when I went to unlock it. That did not bode well. Needless to say, there was about 3-4 inches of un-plowed snow on the ground. I imagine surfing feels something like this, bracing for wave after wave (of snow) - sea spray hitting your face at a constant rate. In theory, I could walk or take the bus but I staunchly believe that this kind of weather builds character. I thought back to all those days when I rode comfortably in the bus or my parents car during a snowstorm and I wanted to laugh. I was missing THIS. I took my bike up the first hill like a goat takes a mountain (at one point I had to get off and push). Much of what came after was dodging the big patches of snow, crawling around the roundabouts, slowing down cars, weaving past pedestrians and generally trying not to end up with a face full of snow.

The real trial came during the last quarter. Here the snow is always thickest and the wind always blows the hardest. The trick about the afternoon light is that it casts no shadows and everything looks white. I had a second's chance heads-up to avoid a two foot drift that was creeping across the bike path like lava oozing down Mt. Krakatoa. After that it was a matter of riding out big powdery drifts. I saw an rare animal sighting: a blond (Swedish) girl in a thin jacket, no gloves, and no hat.

Anyway, enough of the biking. I love it - it's fun in the snow. :)

Now I have a few pictures as per the request of a friend. Here you will find two photos of the horn I play, a very old Alexander (German brand, very famous). It's great, fantastic sound and a unique smell... Enjoy!