Okay. No one that has never experienced minus 20°C can even try to imagine what it feels like. I can tell you guys that the nose is freezing inside, that you can not stay outside more than 15 minutes at a stretch, because it is too cold. I can tell you, that you can not use your phone, because then you would have to take off your gloves. And that your forehead is freezing. And that 2 pairs of socks and warm boots are not enough. Tights and jeans aren't either. Little ice crystals are everywhere. In the nose, on the scarf, on window panes, Everywhere basically.
It sounds funny at first. I was laughing hard when they told me that your nose freezes from inside at -20°C. But every second you are out of the house is pure torture. Like a thousand neadles slowly piercing your skin. I have never even experienced -10°C in my life before. It doesn't get so cold where I live in Germany. My 15 minutes rule is really easy, it works like this: You go outside. You count to 10 and then start again. After 15 minutes, the pain gets so bad, that you just can't bear it anymore. Sometimes it is less. The longest time I managed was 20 minutes and it was so much pain. The worst thing is that it feels like you just can't dress right. And all the Swedes are like: "What? You wear tights beneath your jeans? And two pairs of socks? You're so weird, it's not that cold. Wait till it gets even colder."
To all the Swedes, You're all heroes. It's just one winter for me. (Maybe I will move here later though) But a couple of months every year for you.
I remember one year ago when I was reading the blog from a german girl that spent her year in Sweden. And she was telling how cold it is. But I couldn't imagine it. I was like: Yeah -20°C? Sounds sick. But now I know..
Another problem that comes with the cold is that the phone loses battery very quickly. I noticed that in Germany too. But it was -2 degrees then. Not -20. Iphones shut down completely sometimes. And the battery goes crazy. So they're super useless here. The snow doesn't even melt on the phones.
If anyone would ask me what my biggest accomplishment is, I would say it is surviving the swedish winter. Well right now I can't say I've survived it yet. but I think I will. Hopefully without any losses. I need my fingers. And as there are 3 months with temperature below 0°C left, I need a plan. My plan is not leaving the house unless I really have to. Like for school. It looks so pretty outside with all the snow and the red cottages. But it's a shame that you can't really go outside. And you can't take pictures. When I was in Skansen yesterday, which is an animal park in Stockholm, I always had to consider very wisely whether I take out my phone or not. But anyway I took some pictures :)
Dear Germans. Don't you ever complain about rain in the german winters ever again. Or about -5°C. I will never again complain about that.
