this morning it began snowing again, so heavily that within an hour everything was white once more and people’s footsteps disappeared quickly. the cars are once again sporting dirty brown beards behind their front wheels, which fall off periodically to leave droppings as if they were mechanical horses. now darkness is falling on weihnacht; the evening of the 24th is when germans traditionally celebrate xmas. i’m not a huge fan of xmas, but here in the wintry whiteness a celebration of being warm & quiet inside with good friends & good food feels so much more appropriate than summer xmases in nz. i’m sure it’s no fun for those whose travel plans are being severely disrupted by the snow, but i love it when the weather takes over and reminds us that there are some things we can’t control.

schöne und fröliche weihnachten für alle!