Dreaming about a white Christmas.
Many people around the world know the very famous Christmas song: White Christmas. It is a beautiful song that was written by Irving Berlin in 1942. It also featured in the movie Holiday Inn, starring Bill Crosby. Soldiers fighting during World War II were very fond of this particular song because they were thinking about their families back home, waiting for them.
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I was dreaming of a white Christmas too in 2006, when I went skiing with my friend Margot in Austria. The only difference – I didn`t know snow and have never experienced a white Christmas.But, I also wanted to see the treetops glisten and hear the sleigh bells in the snow. So Margot said that I will finally have my White Christmas.
Arriving in Austria on Christmas Eve.
After a long flight via Dubai, we finally arrived in Munich. From there we had to transfer by bus to a picturesque little town called St. Johann. We arrived late afternoon and I was disappointed to see that it wasn’t snowing. It was pretty cold and we bundled up because we were planning to walk around town. I was actually expecting to see many people celebrating in the streets and were eager to explore.
The whole town was decorated with beautiful Christmas lights. It looked so pretty. What amazed me the most was that there were no celebrations in town. It was basically just us walking in town doing a little bit of window shopping. All the shops were closed and the main plain was deserted.
We decided to look for a bar but even that was closed. With tails hanging between our legs, we decided to head back to our rooms. As we were walking back to our lodgings a soft powdery snow started to fall and I was thrilled.
Christmas morning in St. Johann.
When I opened my window I nearly swallowed my tongue. It snowed during the night and it was covered in snow! A white Christmas morning in St. Johann. What a beautiful sight. Margot just laughed and told me: “ I said you would have a white Christmas, didn’t I?”
Christmas tradition in Austria.
Contrary to what I believed, Christmas eve is not the time to party in the streets. People go home and enjoy the time with their families. That night I didn’t see a sleigh but I did hear the Church bell ring and it was a wonderful feeling. I never had the opportunity again to spend Christmas in Europe and I will always treasure those memories. It was a very special time.
Where: St. Johann, Austria.
When: 24 December 2006.
