2017 Sep 8
As Sri Lankans, it’s safe to say that we know how to endure the heat. We have been able to survive burning heat waves, pull off sweaty hairstyles and keep our love lives going despite it being too warm to cuddle. However, winter is a different story. If you’re thinking of going abroad (maybe on vacation, maybe forever) to countries like America, Japan or UK, the idea of snow must excite you. Movies certainly do feature the beauty of winter wonderlands, packed with snowball fights, ice-skating and building snowmen.
But in reality, winter is a little different for your average Lankan family…….
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Dress code: It’s All About The Layers
Remember the comfy shorts, tank tops and cute dresses we used to wear in Lanka? Well if you’re going to a freezing country, be prepared to give it all up. When you’re heading off to work or university in the morning, getting ready goes a little like; underclothes, thermal, normal clothes, coat, scarf, snow-hat, mittens, socks and boots. Don’t bother working out ladies and gentleman! Your curves won’t be visible under all those layers. In fact, just have a few extra cupcakes… it won’t show 😉
“Winter is definitely something to look forward to! But you need to stock your wardrobe with plenty of warm clothing so that you won’t catch a cold every time you head outside”
-Ovini Perera, Australia
“I am always prepared for the cold! Many layers and even two pairs of socks each time I go outside!”
– Udani Silva, USA
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“Children, we have a new curfew”
If you’re like me, you must be thinking moving abroad means your parents will loosen the reigns a bit. But in all honesty, the cool weather makes Amma and Thaththa totally uncool. In winter seasons, most countries experience night fall by 4 or 5pm. So be prepared to have your curfew brought forward to around that time. It doesn’t matter if your parents didn’t move abroad with you. As the sunlight dies down, your phone will be bombarded with calls from Amma warning you; “Go home now duwa. If you walk alone in the night you will be mugged, raped and killed. Send me a picture when you get home!” Yup… so much for freedom.
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The Great Depression
In my experience, Lankans tend to go through unhappiness and mild-depression when exposed to freezing weather after being baked in the sun for so long. Most of us go through this, so there is no need to worry too much. Consider wearing bright coloured coats to counter the gloominess outside. Drink lots of hot cocoa (Because chocolate solves everything!). Also, even if it’s freezing outside, make sure you have a toasty house or apartment to get back to. Yes I know that’ll be expensive. But just splurge on heating for now and get a part-time job. I hear McDonald’s is always hiring! (You get free food after every 4 hour shift! Order the happy meal if you’re feeling down)
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Give Up On Umbrellas
The streets of Lanka are often decorated with seas and seas of colourful umbrellas. We are definitely umbrella people. So why not use one to conquer the snow right? Wrong! If you take an umbrella out during winter weather, it’s very likely that you and the umbrella will get blown away (and not gracefully like Marry Poppins either). Yup in contrast to SL, the streets of winter countries like the UK are morbid umbrella graveyards. The only way to battle such weather is to find yourself a coat with a massive hoodie and button yourself up tightly.
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Choose Your Friends Wisely
If you’re a foreign student or just starting out in a new country, it’s unlikely that you can afford a car right away. So you’re left to either walk home with frostbite or endlessly wait for the bus to arrive (Apparently the bus comes every 30 minutes but they lie to you….). Here’s a “slightly” opportunistic idea! Try making friends with people who own cars. Then you can finally get home warm and dry. Ideally, your conversation with someone you just met should go something like “Hi, my name is Kalana. Oh, do you own car? No? See ya!” However, take heed when you’re driving in the snow. Speed and ice rarely end well.
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Shower times get tricky
Showering in cold countries is particularly complicated. When you wake up in the morning and push off your comfy duvet, the cold will hit you hard enough to get goosebumps immediately. So as you hop into the shower, the warm steamy water will feel heavenly. Believe me once you experience this heat, your brain will come up with all sorts of reasons to not stop showering. “Oh damn, I’m late for work! Meh… I hate my job so I’ll just quit.” “Gosh, I have a test in 30 minutes. Sighh.. It’s cool I can run pretty fast!” Beware; warm showers are freezing peoples’ kryptonite!
Hey don’t get me wrong, winter is pretty magical. But even in fairy tales, all magic comes at a price right? (Yes Cinderella you can go the ball, but you’ll have to run home without shoes at midnight). So in all honesty, cold weather will get you down sometimes. But here’s hoping these tips plus the many Christmas markets will make things better for you!
