My maiden dance in the Irish snow

The month of March is special to me because it’s my birth month, and a time for me to reflect on my life’s ups and downs as I welcome a new year. However, this year has been different. The first day of March will forever be etched in my memory. What’s a common occurrence for many people in Europe and America turned out to be a unique experience for me. When I opened my room’s windows that morning, I was surprised to see everything covered in snow – the cars, roofs, walkways, and so on.

Witnessing winter for the first time was surreal. Accustomed to the average temperature of 24 degrees in Africa, the snowy weather was quite the anomaly. My immediate concern was making it to my 11am class on South Circular Road, Dublin 8, all the way from Dublin 15.

Fortunately, my housemate Angelo Simoes, an international student from Portugal, came to my aid. He shared tips that really made a difference.

“Sylvano, before you leave the house, make sure to put on your winter boots,” Angelo advised. It dawned on me that this was no ordinary day. “Understood,” I replied. “What else should I consider as I get ready for class?” I inquired. “Just the usual things: multiple layers of clothing, gloves, a hat, an umbrella, and winter boots, and you’ll be set,” he said.

With his advice in mind, I quickly got ready and stepped out. Initially, I wasn’t sure what walking on snow would feel like. However, I soon realized it was like treading on soft gravel that crumbled with each step. “Quite the pleasant sensation,” I mused. Not a bad beginning.

I proceeded to the bus stop, normally a five-minute walk from our place, but it seemed further away that day. In just two minutes, I was on the number thirty-eight bus heading to the city center. The journey was slower than usual due to the snowy road conditions; the driver needed to be cautious to avoid any mishaps, as explained by the passenger next to me.

Upon reaching the city center, it was time to switch buses, from the 38 to the 122. Waiting at Parnell Square in those dreadful conditions proved challenging. Fortunately, I was dressed warmly, and my umbrella proved useful in shielding me from the rain. I was fortunate that the second bus arrived within seven minutes, and after boarding, I reached college in about fifteen minutes.

The journey to class was just as usual. I could feel the snowflakes landing on my umbrella as I strolled beneath the trees. Fortunately, I reached my class in four minutes. Once there, the classroom heater worked wonders, as to claim I was comfortable in the cold would be a fib.

After class, I recounted the day’s experiences with my family back home, and they were all delighted for me. I also captured photos to preserve the memories of my initial brush with an Irish snowy winter, which I learned occurs once every six years, with the previous one in 2018.