Many folks in the UK are waking up to a white landscape this morning. It’s very pretty to look at, all the more if you don’t have to go out in it. But we often forget just how universal this white stuff actually is. In Britain we talk idly about how cold and dark our winters are while most of us have a picture in our minds of bright warm sunshine in almost any other part of the world.
On our travels we have found snow in the most unexpected places. Ok, I have yet to see snow in Africa and will have to wait until we visit Kilimanjaro one of these days for that. Likewise for the Middle East, although I hear that parts of Jordan and Syria can get significant snowfall in a harsh winter; quite the contrast from the typical Arabic desert picture that we’re familiar with.
Looking back through my photo archives I was surprised to see just how many of my pictures feature a white wintry landscape. I’ve put together a few snow-related photos from our various travels as a topical reminder of just how much of the planet does experience a real winter.
Snow in Mallorca, 2004 - not what we expected
New York snow storm, 2003: Looking down from our apartment to 85th and 2nd
Snowy peaks on the Routeburn Track, New Zealand; 2001
Visiting a husky centre in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina; 2007
A wolf prowls the forests, Sequoia NP, California; 2008
Sunset in the Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan; 2008
Close to home: Frozen lake, St Albans during the winter of 2010
I woke up to a facebook full of snow comments this morning! I never imagined seeing a picture of snow in Mallorca!
Thanks Poi – Mallorca has some lofty peaks and in the winter they are often white (as we found out!)
If I had a dollar for every person who has been surprised when I pointed out that yes, it does snow in Australia … I have seen snow on Xmas day in Australia, that’s in Summer (Cradle Mountain, Tasmania) and New Year’s Day (Hobart) also in Summer.
And I have had some beautiful, bright, gorgeous sunny (even if brisk) Winter days here in the UK. I often wonder if some people living here actually look outside and observe the weather IRL rather than just relying on the tabloids to tell them what it is like!
Thank you for giving a reminder how the snow looks like:) Moscow is shivering of freeze at -14 C and has no snow at all…
Now you’re bringing back memories Natalia. I remember wandering through Launceston when we were in Tassie 10 years ago. It was 30C outside and they were playing ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas’ – loved the irony of the song in that weather. But maybe they just needed to go up to Cradle Mountain?
The one of Tien Shan Mountains is amazing!
Enjoyed seeing your snow photos. I grew up in a place where we had snowy winters, but now live in California where I drive to the mountains to see it and go skiing. Your photo of NYC reminded me of being there for a snowstorm that dropped record amounts of snow. It was quite beautiful, especially in Central Park, where we took a lot of photos.
Hi Andy, here is some more nostalgia for you….Uganda 1993 Vision Aid Overseas team of Opticians and Mike!!!!! Would love to be in contact with you and Sam again. I am even in your Uganda picture on this site. What was I wearing? and how many lbs was I? Hair style oh well I suppose it was 1993. Hard work but memorable trip…