It all depends on if you’re already where you want to be, or if you’re still trying to get to that particular place. And now we’re talking strictly geographically. Europe seems to be in chaos because of the white fluffy stuff I was so missing last year. 13 centimetres of snow in England and the radio stations are running “walk-on-snow” courses for the citizens who have to leave their castles.
Somehow, I managed to sneak through the European airports and train stations on my way from Copacabana to Uppsala last week without much of a hassle at all. Sure, got an hour delayed from the French capital, but considering the airline’s past record, that can almost be classified as “better than expected” than as a delay. Another hour from Kastrup – easily killed with coffee – and some 20 minutes from Stockholm central station – more coffee. It feels like I’m the only one in Europe being that lucky at the moment though. A bunch of colleagues on their way home to their dear ones, got stuck in Paris a week before me, another bunch in London a few days ago and friends seem to be stuck in various trains, buses and airports all over the place. Only worry in my life at the moment is that it’s still a bit too cold to expose my warm weather spoiled lungs with a cross-country skiing session through the glistering fairy tale land. A month with +35 degrees and sunshine does not really prepare your body for -22 degrees and snow. It’s 1 year, 8 months and 28 days since I last put my well-worn Fishers on, grabbed my favourite poles and had to accept how much I’ve lost in the tracks during the last 10 years. Can’t wait to check if I’ve managed to get some of it back by magic during the last while, or more likely, get totally exhausted, frustrated and extremely sore absolutely everywhere the day after.
Except for my body being way out of place with the cold climate, watching dolphins in the water during the afternoon coffee breaks didn’t really bring on the Christmas spirit. Not even Charles de Gaulle gave any hints of the holidays being around the corner last Wednesday.
To cure this, the last few days have been spent on high efficiency Christmas shopping, daily intake of saffron bread and glögg, peeling potatoes for Janssons frestelse and making sure the herring gets pickled the right way.
Ginger bread house is now in place, tree decorated with red baubles and candy canes, front porch cleared from snow for Santa, all treats for loved ones wrapped and the first slice of Christmas ham was served last night with a glass of red. Think I’m ready – let’s bring on a real Swedish winter wonderland holiday.
Merry Christmas!
God Jul! Kram kram //J
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