The White Stuff

"Germany is in the midst of the longest snowy period since the winter of 1978/79. The snowy crust has remained on the ground without melting for some five weeks."

That was the news on Monday. Well, the snowy crust is still on the ground today and there are predictions for snow several days next week, so perhaps February is not quite the harbinger of better weather we had hoped for. The winter of our discontent continues.

However...

Germans know how to have a good time in the snow. If you're German and under the age of five, life comes equipped with a wooden sled and parents willing to drag you just about anywhere. Going to the grocery store? Grab the sled; you can ride shotgun with the bags. Two of your friends need a ride? They better be wearing adorable snowsuits, wee little boots and fuzzy hats with earflaps. Ah heck, everybody get on. (Not you, John!!!)

And then there was the Schneemann Summit. We're fairly certain it was associated with a boring conference on global warming; I'd prefer to think it's just high tourist season in Berlin for snowmen. John put on his toboggan (or do you call it a cap? maybe a Mütze?), grabbed his corn cob pipe and his button nose and joined the party for a few pictures.

Why Germans create marshmallow-shaped snowmen is lost on us. Poor fellow in the front. His little arms just weren't long enough so he kept waddling over to this guy...

...who was thrilled to finally see the Berliner Dom.

This wide-eyed guy was eager for a picture with the Fernsehturm. John was happy to oblige. They wanted to take the picture together but a general lack of thumbs in the crowd made that difficult.

Funny enough, this snow man had to hurry on his way, but he waved goodbye saying, "don't you cry, I'll be back again some day."