When I left Malmo in August, it was nearing the end of summer. The days were still long but it did get a bit chilly. I had to wear long sleeves and a cardigan over it as I made my way to the airport. I knew that when I got back, it would get colder. Pete would update me on the weather while I was back in the sweltering tropics. He told me that the temperature was dropping and that it was raining more often - signs that fall has replaced summer.
I've never been in Malmo in the fall, or anywhere else in the fall, for that matter actually. Back home, I was trying to imagine how cold it would be. I thought it'll be a bit chilly, cold enough to need a good thick cardigan. I was also thinking that a good sweater could keep me warm enough. But when I arrived at Copenhagen airport, I saw other people in thick down jackets and was a bit taken aback. Even Pete had his winter jacket on. Oh boy. I braced myself for the cold.
Luckily I brought my thick jacket and it kept me warm as we waited for our train. There wasn't much wind either so it was a nice trip home. By the time we reached the apartment, the temperature had risen and it was a comfortable 10C. That was ok, I thought. I can handle this. And I could. At first.
I enjoyed going out since the cold kept me sweat-free. After two months in my hot and humid home country, the cold was quite welcomed. I loved the fact that I was in jeans and not having it sticking to my legs. I was also happy to not have to do anything to keep my hair off my face since my neck and scalp weren't sweaty at all.
That was only ten days ago. How fast the weather can change here. The past couple of days, trips outside meant a good ten minutes of me putting on layers after layers of clothes, swaddling my neck with a scarf and lacing up my boots. It has been very cold - between 3 - 10C. I'll be lucky if it is 8C outside and most importantly, not windy. The wind has this way of making it seem 5C colder.
But, having lamenting about the cold, fall is a great time to go outside and take in the beauty of the nature around me. On the train and bus ride back, I couldn't take my eyes off the trees. The lush greenery has given way to shades of yellow, orange and brown. The leaves that have fallen off the trees decorated the walking paths. Hazards, said Pete, if you were to step on them and slip. But this is my first fall experience. I know I am probably looking it through rose-coloured glasses, but it really is beautiful here.
It is even better when it's nice and sunny. It's still cold but the sun makes everything look so much better. It's therefore a pity that the days are shorter now. It starts getting dark around 5pm. By 6, we would need to switch on the lights. I guess that's why a hot mug of tea or cocoa is a must. It keeps us nice and warm. It's lucky then that I managed to bring back some Milo. Nothing beats having a cup of hot, chocolaty Milo and cookies while it's cold and dark outside. Mmmm....
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