The majority of my Facebook and Twitter time lines are South Africans. This means I’m seeing a lot of shorts, t-shirts, swimming pool and {braai} (BBQ/grill) pics. I keep thinking to myself, sheesh, are they not cold? I’m freezing! Then remembering they are all in the Southern Hemisphere and experiencing the hottest summer in ages.
Which means I am in winter. Cold, miserable, rainy winter (to be fair it hasn’t rained that much but when it does its nasty!).
If I hailed from Cape Town, maybe it wouldn’t be such a shock to my system. Winter here is very similar to a Cape winter. Lots of wind, days of rain, biting cold. I’m not used to that. {Jozi} winters are mild and sunny and dry.
In 35 years I’ve never had to wear a down jacket (or a jacket of any kind!) or a beanie or a scarf and definitely not gloves and yet that is what I leave the house in most days. And I’m still cold to the bone and cannot wait for a steaming hot bath at the end of the day.
Having had a bitch and a moan, at least I can say that winters in Israel are relatively short (also very green and pretty, see the rain I mentioned above). Spring lasts only a few weeks and then we are in for some super hot, dry weather. Thank heavens for air conditioning! I cant wait though, I’ve always loved Israel in summer. I find it invigorating. I’m looking forward to longer day light hours and hot nights and braais on my balcony.
*Photos by {Paul Jacobson}
I would also find it tough but at least its short. Imagine Britain and months and months of this
I am longing for winter…
I will trade you! We have reports of snow tomorrow night!
Ha! I used to wear my Winter clothes in Summer, in Dubai, because the air conditioning in the office would always be turned onto the coldest possible setting. Then, when it was time to leave the office and go home, I’d have to strip off my layers of warm stuff and walk out into 50 degree heat. Drove me nuts!