It's nearly November, which means it is well into the Autumn season - a season I have never in my life experienced outside Southern California. While the rest of the world prepared for ice and snow, we still visited beaches, shocked ourselves on metal surfaces during the staticky, dry Santa Anas, and feared wildfires spawned by dry land and high winds. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the gradual approach to the holiday season - October meant harvest festivals, pumpkins, fairy tale and monster costumes, apple-picking, and scary movies on TV.
They don't celebrate Halloween in the Netherlands. The utter lack of all of the above is counteracted by the chilly weather, but it's no fun to bundle up if there's no festive feeling in the air.
There is, however, one huge advantage. What this country lacks in the absence of Halloween/harvest celebration, it makes up for with nature.
We've been lucky enough lately to only have had a few days of clouds and rain/wind this month - so far. The past few weeks have been more clear blue sky, contrasted by the deep reds and golds of the foliage below. From my living room, I have a gorgeous frame of golden leaves and Autumn sunshine.
On days like this, I have the overwhelming urge to bundle up and go for a long walk (and I usually do). I can't get over the beauty of these sights, and I've learned that living in a cold climate really makes you appreciate the sunshine - something I've always taken for granted in SoCal.
This past Sunday, Bjorn and I went for a walk together - which is infinitely more enjoyable than alone. It was the kind of day where the air is crisp and refreshing, it's easy to breathe, and the sky is high. We took a different path he knew, winding through a shady little park, crunching through dry leaves, and coming out onto a long path lined by a gulley stream and towering red-leafed oak trees. There was a slight breeze, which loosened leaves and sent them floating down to earth from the oaks' heights; some landed in the water, some hit little children (who gleefully grabbed them), and still others stayed adrift in the open air, enjoying their last moments.
We climbed a little hill (probably the highest altitude in this entire country) and enjoyed a 360 degree view of this beautiful region: behind us, a lake and small forest; to our left, a wide open field where a family was playing with a Frisbee; in front of us, another forest stretched out; to our right, the city glittered in the late sun.
Martin says we have a hard, long winter coming. I think Mother Nature is messing with me - dazzling me with her red and gold beauty, all the while planning on freezing me out soon. The first snow is supposed to fall in the short space of three weeks. I'm excited to build snowmen and play in the snow like a child, appreciating the beauty of snow like I appreciate the beauty of Autumn colors.
But knowing that the white stuff will persist until the end of February (and perhaps even longer), I think I'd prefer to keep this open blue sky and crisp air. It's hard to get tired of a Technicolor world.
(Remember to hover your mouse over the slideshow, hit the stop button, and then manually scroll through the photos with the arrow buttons.)
Aw the beautiful fall colors make me miss Sonoma County!! Nothing is changing here in San Diego...except for one tree in my neighbor's yard :P
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