They seem solid, but if you’re about to fall, you must resist the temptation to lean on them. This snow is a reminder of the stark climatic differences I’ve observed in almost a decade in Romania.
My first winter was in Oradea. Cold and depressing. Three things I remember from that time: eating a lot of Snickers, taking long and very hot baths in the tub (a bathtub! I had never had one before), and the tranquility I felt seeing the city covered in white.
There are many things I imagine, remember, or experience during this time of year. The smoke that comes out of your mouth when you exhale—it almost looks like you’re smoking. But its density is different. If you have a mustache or beard, it will feel damp all the time.
The sun’s reflection on the snow is so intense that it blinds you. The warmth of the sun on your face feels nice because it keeps you warm, but it’s almost like looking directly at the sun. It takes some time to get used to driving with that glare.
I don’t particularly like wearing gloves, which forces me to keep my hands in my pockets. And if I’m holding my phone, my fingers gradually slow down, and the pain becomes intense. Have you ever dipped your hands into freezing water, like in a glacial lake? Or put them in the freezer? Or held ice in your hands for a long time?
Hot wine. In Romanian, they call it «boiled wine.» It’s red wine, and it’s delicious. It feels like it has no effect because of the cold, but if you drink it too fast, two things can happen: you burn yourself and get dizzy, or you choke. Okay, three things. Be careful with the steam while drinking it. Drink it slowly, or you’ll cough as you sip. In the end, you’ll still feel a little lightheaded.
At some point, I went to a fair. Now that I think about it, I’ve seen several. In Paris. In Romania: Sibiu, Oradea, Târgu Mureș. Here in Bucharest, at Constitution Square.
Covering your head helps. My head starts hurting if I wear a hat all day. The skin on your face gets dehydrated, your lips crack, and the skin on your knuckles hardens and can bleed.
I just smiled, remembering what kind of footwear to recommend. In the end, I prefer big boots that look like tires. They’re the best for walking in the snow. But they won’t save you from black ice—that thin layer that looks like the ground is wet but is actually frozen and incredibly slippery. And that’s why I smiled. Because I’ve fallen on the street more than once.
When the snow is fresh and high enough, some parents take their children out on sleds. It’s fun to watch them. I have pets. My two dogs love eating snow. I’ve never seen them enjoy the snow as much as this winter. They jump like rabbits and bury half their snouts in it. I still don’t know why they do it.
This snowfall has surprised me a little. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen this much. It’s only been a couple of days, but the news reports say there’s between 10 and 48 cm of snow, and in other parts of the country, over 70 cm.
There are two feelings that winter in Romania inspires in me. A deep sense of calm. Seeing the entire city covered and clean. Somehow, that calm also makes me feel a sense of justice.
And the second feeling is nostalgia. A deep and difficult one to manage. But it’s the kind that motivates me to go to a café, sit down, and tell you about it.
Ave Migratoria 