First and foremost, let me tell you something about the snow. What stupefied Mandel and me the most is how the daily life is paralysed when there is an abundance of snow. People are, more or less, housebound, the heating very often gives up the ghost and you are freezing to death etc.
Still, the scenery is just splendid. The "white powder" lies like a viel over the countryside. Check out this breathtakingly gorgeous picture from Pam's blog:
The second matter, at which she looked from all angles, was the comparison of her home town, Seattle, her adopted "home town" Aigen, and London, where she went to visit a dear friend. You may rightly ask yourself how these three can possibly be compared as there are worlds between them, but exactly the differences were of concern to Mandel.
While the pros of Seattle are the enthic diversity and her thriving social life, those of Aigen are its stunning beauty and delicious bread. The advantage of London are for her, on the other hand, its being a highly cosmopolitan city.
On the flip side, Seattle has absolutely atrocious bread on offer and the traffic is insufferable. London is crazy expensive whilst her social life in Aigen is non-existent.
Apart from being amusing to read, Mandel's comparison made me ponder. Doubtless it is intricate for any person to find his/her way around in a foreign country and build a circle of friend. Truth be told for Mandel it is even harder as Aigen isn't her fixed abode. On the other hand, it is patently obvious that as she has been living in Seattle almost all her born days, she has by now a fulfilling social life there.
All in all, my advice to anyone who feels stranded in a foreign country is:
1. Stop whinging about not having friends. They won't materialise at your command. Go out, do a sport etc as only by being active, you will make new friendships.
2. Carry your home town always in your heart, but let new experiences and people penetrate your armour.
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