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Post by shyamwestwind on Dec 12, 2007 6:32:13 GMT
Christmas time is here and the Joy and Spirit of Christmas can be felt everywhere, but being here in sunny India, I cant help but wish I could be among the snow capped houses and trees. All the Christmas cards depict Christmas with snow and even my Christmas tree has make believe snow in the fluffed up cotton balls.
I kinda envy you guys, playing in the snow, but I'm not sure I can handle walking on snow - I cant even imagine it as I have enough trouble walking on slippery floors with my elbow crutch.
How do physically handicapped persons manage the snow ?
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Post by JohnG on Dec 12, 2007 7:47:47 GMT
Hi Shyam, Good to see you back! Well, what to say? The snow only LOOKS good Shyam. Wonderful on Chrisy cards and in illustrations. But when you have to get out the snow shovel to clear it off the drive so that you can go to work, or to the shops it's a real pain. And that's for able bodied people!  How elderly people cope, or worse those with a handicap, I do not know. I guess they have to rely on the able bodied to help them around. When the snow gets compressed it becomes thick ice and extremely slippery. Then the able bodied suffer the same fate as the handicapped. CRASH! I know, it happened to me a couple of years ago. I stepped out of the car directly onto a patch of ice that I hadn't seen. The next thing I knew I was coming to with a small crowd around me. I'd fallen and banged my head on the car door as I went down. Result: one very sore bottom a bruised cocyx (?) and a nasty cut on the forehead. Needless to say I abandoned my shopping trip.  But a wee dram o' whuskey soon had me feeling back in the Christmas spirit again.  Snow? Bah, humbug. You can keep it! Best regards, JohnG. |
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Post by JohnG on Dec 12, 2007 8:12:46 GMT
And so are the Christmas market places here in beautiful Germany.
If you've never done it before and you can afford a cheap flight here care of EasyJet or better still German Wings (no, I'm not advertising) then pop over and see one.
Lots and lots of little chalet like wooden garden sheds set up as stalls selling all sorts of bits and pieces. In successive years I've bought some great winter gear here, hat, gloves etc. with nice warm fleece linings (the real stuff) and knock down prices from a stall run by some Welsh people. Goods from Africa, all sorts.
Treat yourself to a sausage in a bread roll from Thurungia (Thueringen Bratwurst im Broetchen) a glass (or two) of Gluhwein (a kind of mulled wine with brandy) waffles with a Kirsch (cherry) sauce and all sorts of other yummy things. Lights everywhere (LCD this year) and a congenial buzz of conversation and happy laughter. The Cologne market gets very busy so I suggest going to Bonn. Which gets busy too at the weekends.
I live near Bonn and they always have a market centered on Beethoven Platz. Didn't you know Bonn was Beethoven's home town? I go every year and it's a wonderful way of catching the Christmas spirit, with or without the Gluhwein! Bonn is about half an hour from Cologne on the airport bus. I hear so many people speaking in English!
You haven't celebrated Christmas until you've walked around one of these markets! Apparently about 50,000 people visited the Cologne market from the UK alone last year!
Oh, and you might hear some live music too! Can't guarantee what it'll be like though. Sometimes it's really good. How do they play the instruments in such cold though? Even with mittens.
All the best,
JohnG.
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Post by rogerb on Dec 12, 2007 9:47:20 GMT
I guess the grass is always greener or the snow is always whiter on the other side. Gill and I have left the comparative warmth and sunshine of Cyprus behind for a Christmas in England this year. Looking out the window this morning the car is under a thick layer of frost and it's very cold. I'm beginning to yearn for the sunshine of Cyprus. However friends there that I spoke to yesterday said they would love to see some snow and some chilly weather. I guess we're never satisfied. Two years ago we had snow up in the mountains in Cyprus. Some of the younger children there had never seen it before and persuaded their parents to take them to play in it. It was magic to see them coming back with snowmen built on the bonnets (hoods) of the cars so they could bring the snow home with them.
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Post by JohnG on Dec 12, 2007 10:08:29 GMT
How true RogerB, how true!
I'd love a bit of African or even Cypriot sun right now. Maybe even Indian sun?
Is it sunny in India right now Shyam?
JohnG.
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Post by Tubbs on Dec 12, 2007 17:30:11 GMT
Come over to Ireland, its 35 degrees here at the moment!!  Well, it is sat in front of a roaring fire with a hot whiskey and the central heating on full blast!! |
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Post by shyamwestwind on Dec 12, 2007 21:05:23 GMT
I guess I'll just keep the snow in them greeting cards - no siree, its definitely not for me !!
To all who want to come to Sunny India, you're welcome to stay with me . Its lovely here in Bangalore now about 14 degrees C !! Chicken curry and rice anyone ? I'll trade some for some good sausages or bacon ! I simply love them!
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Post by jacqui01 on Dec 16, 2007 16:45:00 GMT
Yes it's wonderful to see the fresh snow on the ground, and it looks great on the Christmas Cards, but in reality it's a real pain, cold, messy and really dangerous, especially on the roads, so Shyam, please send us some Sunshine on Christmas Day, and a bit of Chicken Curry would be nice and warming too. Jacqui  |
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levi2
Full Member
Posts: 667
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Post by levi2 on Dec 16, 2007 18:21:20 GMT
yupp good idea keep the snow on the christmas cards lol
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Post by mickyb on Dec 16, 2007 22:30:13 GMT
Yup looks nice on cards ,but can be a pain when your travelling to gigs or trying to get your gear shifted.Once it freezes it can be really nasty and dangerous can I have chips with my Chicken Curry pse.
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Post by violet on Dec 20, 2007 2:38:47 GMT
Hi Everyone on the forum! I live in the midwest in Illinois and we currently have 7 inchesof snow that fell three days ago..it is very beautiful on the trees and really makes it seem like Christmas.....but....I hope we don't get anymore...especially no icey roadways...it is beautiful, but also very treacherous....I really don't think I would miss it if I moved away, however..just my own opinion,though..anyway, hope everyone has a very merry Christmas where ever you are!..Violet Songbird
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Post by JohnG on Dec 23, 2007 19:39:24 GMT
Keep warm Violet, keep warm.
We have three days of snow forecast for us starting on the 28th.
Hope it doesn't get to 7 inches.
Time to break out the Long John's.
From a rather short John,
JohnG.
And a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
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