Winter in Luxembourg

"Hush hush," go the leaves, as they fall off branches

"Hush hush," whisper the snowflakes, as they waft to the ground

"Hush hush," says mother nature, as she prepares to sleep

Winter is a season of quietude. Even the resplendent sun assumes an air of indolence in winter and rises late and sets early. The birds, except a lost little one here and there, have all flown away. The squirrels are no more to be found. The butterflies are all asleep in their cozy cocoons. The wind sings a lullaby.

In homes around this little country, radiators are turned on. Rugs, throws and cushions are piled on. Winter jackets are brought out, snow-boots are removed from their felt-lined boxes, mittens are kept ready and new scarves are purchased. The microwave glows golden with a bowl of brown chestnuts. Hot wine is swilled in abundance. Warm waffles and pancakes are stacked high. The land is dark and a mild gleam of light marks the day.

One night, you are roused in the middle of your sleep by something impalpable stirring in the air. There is a faint fragrance of ice, you think. You snuggle back into your warm blanket and dream the most romantic dreams of winter. The next morning you find the city has disappeared. A soft sheet of white has draped over everything. Little children shout with joy because schools are closed. You watch as the snow falls on their pretty red noses.

The mid-day bells chime in the church and that alone indicates noon, because the day is still dark. Snowflakes continue falling as if the clouds are disintegrating onto the earth. You hold out your hand and a snow flake rests on it. Alas, it melts before you can even see it!

One of the perks of winter in Luxembourg or anywhere else in Europe is the Christmas market. This one of a kind market begins about a month before Yuletide. Scores of tiny stalls selling savories open up. This is also a great place to buy scarves and hats for the winter. Little fireplaces are set up in every other corner. As they walk around the market, people cozy up for a while next to these fireplaces. Live bands sing Christmas carols. It is great fun to watch a group of jolly, old, slightly inebriated, round men dressed in pinstripes singing Silent Night. 

I love that Luxembourg is still sort of medieval in its appearance and its character. The flashiness and artificiality of modern life has not yet seeped in here. We still have castles and forts. Tiny two-storied buildings are the counterparts of the sky-rises in other countries. Shops close here on weekends and shopping is not a national pass-time. People here are private folks, who love their quiet and enjoy spending time with their families. Children are not spoilt with gadgets. I could go on, but I digress from my topic.

However as I conclude, I must not leave you with only a rosy description of the winter here. Let's take a look at the other side. When the snow subsides and you step out, you find the ice-covered ground slippery. Perhaps you fall because you are not accustomed to walking on ice. A cold wind cuts through your scarf, sneaking in through a tiny gap and hits you in the throat. You wait in the cold bus-stop. The bus is late. The mittens on your hand interfere with the touch-screen phone and you drop it. Perhaps, the screen breaks. That is when you realize that it is better to be indoors typing into a laptop. And hence this article.

Season's Greetings, folks!