There is no such thing as cold weather - just inapropiate clothing

It's been cold, but that could not keep the two ski-enthusiasts away from the forest!

-16 degrees. Powdery snow. Silence. Frost smoke. A few other skiers greeting you. A hot tea and packed lunch break in the middle of the forest. A low, shining sun. Glitter on snow. Hills. A few falls in the soft snow... Skiing into the sunset at 3:00pm. Two big smiles packed in under thick scarves and woolen hats.



And hot chocolate by the fireplace afterwards. A wondrous day!

Merry Christmas!

Special thoughts go out to all our loved ones. May you be happy and successful in all your doings. Hugs&Kisses

Tito&Willow

Ginger, chocolate and love

Creating a future tradition
Constructing a home
Building a gingerbread cookiehouse.
Tito & Willow

Home at last!

Surrounded by Tito's arms, I'm right where I want to be. Looking forward to spend a wonderful Christmas together, I feel fortunate, happy and loved.

Cups of coffee

Being the second last day of school before the holidays, people seem to be in a very good mood. Personally I feel very ready for going home to be with my family, my friends, and most importantly with Tito. Only 4 students showed up at today's final class, so our professor invited us for coffee in the university cafeteria. I had brought ginger cookies. Sharing stories about language, about archaeological fieldtrips to France and our study, I was enjoying myself a lot. I have great fellow students and great professors.

Santa Lucia

December 13th is a date I associate with joy and expectations. When I was a little girl we used to celebrate the day of Santa Lucia every year, dressing up in white robes and glitter. Our parents helped us make some special yellow cakes with saffron that we put in a basket. With cakes and a lit candlelight, we would go out in the snow after dark. Then we would knock on all our neighbours' doors and sing the Lucia-song when they opened. We would give them a cake and got sweets, cookies and mandarins in return. Such nice memories.

3rd Sunday of Advent

I love sleepy Sundays. This one I plan to spend relaxing on the sofa with a good book. I'll have tea and cookies, and my candle is already lit. What's your Sunday like?

Going away for a few days to Lisbon with friends

Lessons learned:

1. Make sure to ask at any transit bus station if the city has more than one station!





2. If you happen not to ask, don't despair if you are stranded in an unknown city in the middle of the night - there is always a way out.


3. The value of having a network can never be underestimated: If you make a nightly emergency-call to the only person you know in the city, and you're told that "no problem, you can crash at my place for the night," you feel very grateful. Thank you, Chris!!!


4. Dancing Merengue can make you feel better no matter how tired, stressed and hungry you are.


5. A Spanish tortilla tastes like the most amazing thing you've ever had when you're tired, stressed and hungry at 4:00 am.


6. An extra blanket will help you freeze less during the night.


7. Don't despair if you're made to wait and wait and wait, while given a thousand contradictory messages at the bus station the morning after you should have left.


8. A call from Tito telling you everything will be all right while waiting for further notice, can almost make you cry. And as usual, Tito is not wrong. Your ticket, that you were told was lost several times before, is finally changed. You can lean back, start breathing again and enjoy the 6 hours bus-ride to Lisbon.

Highlights:

1. The castles of Sintra.


2. The amazing greenness of the region (green grass, green trees and green bushes as far as you can see.)


3. Having an authentic bacalao with port-wine.


4. The view from the São Jorge castle.


5. 17 degrees in December.


6. Meeting lots of great people.

2nd Sunday of Advent

I forgot the last one, but this one I made sure to remember. Getting up at 8:00am, I went to the living room wearing my overly sweet teddybear-patterned pyjamas. Cuddling myself up in the sofa under a thick blanket, with my breakfast and a cup of lovely lemon-tea, I was ready for a day of pure enjoyment. Turning on the TV, I watched cartoons for a couple of hours - just like I used to do when I was a child. Some things you just never grow too old for, and I did enjoy every minute of it. Lighting my apple-scented candle, I started writing Christmas cards. I love the tradition of sending (and receiving!) cards to my loved ones.




Feeling a touch of Christmas spirit (as a result of a txt from my family telling me they were making gingerbread cookies), I too decided to make cookies. And, without any false modesty, they turned out pretty damn delicious! Anyone wants to taste?

Sensing India

When I go with Kim and the Tibetan holy lama on the te-rain to Benares, I can almost hear India. When Kim changes his Sahib schoolboy clothes for the attire of a low-caste Hindi boy, I can almost see India. When he licks his finger after having consumed a greasy mutton with cabbage accompanied by rice with a scent of cardamom, I can almost taste India. When Kim has run away from the infantry and is enjoying his freedom on the road, I can almost feel India.

Reading a good book is a wonderful thing, and the reality-escape is even better. Does your book take you to far away places where you forget everything about time and space?