First snow in Istanbul
I grew up with it. Every year I would freeze my behind in its chilly fluffiness amidst games with my friends. My feet would shrivel in my old shoes splatting in that gray slushy that seeps inside your bones.
Then I left for the sunny life in Africa and Australia. And never, never looked back.
Two days ago, Istanbul welcomed us with one of those beautiful snowfalls that look so appealing from inside a warm house with a hot drink in hand. Truth be told, I could have easily lived the rest of my life without having ice falling from the sky. My children on the other hand, craved to feel it. That is why we are here at this time, when most people run elsewhere.
And they have loved it, just as every child before them and every that will come after them.
“It is so light!” – Miss Fab exclaimed underneath her red nose. In her mind snow was going to be rain-like, just white. The girls kept on coming in and out of the house to warm up and recharge for another go. Our winter attire is rather limited, so long snow fun is not as comfortable as it should be.
After one of their stints they came back with a small snowman as a gift for the Dod, who preferred to look at the snow from inside, rather like his mom.
He liked it. For about 5 minutes. I took care of the puddle.
We ventured out for a bit. A small welcoming kitchen lured us in for a bite, a perfect reason to escape the chilling reality outside.
Then we took cover in a stationary store….and a long stop for hot chocolate…until we realized we are not going anywhere far. We were freezing our butts off.
Moving from one apartment to the other after sunset, proved another adventure, as the hilly roads of Istanbul were frozen. Nobody broke a leg, lets leave it at that.
My first priority right now is to find some cheap warm clothes, which will allow us to jump out freely, because as much as it can be a pain, snow can be great fun.
And if we will be here, we might as well enjoy it.
You mean, they really did not know snow? Gee, that sounds strange to me… having just come back from outside where it is a truly freezing -10°C and having spent the weekend waist-deep in snow, pulling my kids through it on a sledge (and waiting for the time my little one will be old enough to stand his own on skis…) Arent there mountains with ski slopes in Australia, too?
You just get yourself some warm clothes, come up here to Middle Europe, and your kids will know real winter! :-) Meanwhile, enjoy Istanbul! The Blue Mosque must be a real mystic sight deep in snow…
They really did not know snow. There is a mountain in Australia where you can get acquainted with it, but I guess I was not in a hurry to get there. It was very interesting to watch their impressions.
Now I am looking forward to gearing up and getting them to places where the snow IS waist-deep. They will love it.
I want to go see it too. Snow angels… yep. that’s what I want to do!
Beautiful steep small Istanbul streets – I love the pictures of them!
Itilien, it is beautiful (although at night those steep streets turn into slides and its scary).
Welcome to Europe! Your wee man is getting so big. He is sooo adorable :)
Yes, snow is more fun with the right clothes! Are there any second-hand shops there?
your pics are beautiful, as always!
can imagine istanbul with so much snow!