Monday, January 08, 2007

Frozen...

Some years ago, one December night, I had gone to attend a marriage. It was very cold. The next day, it came in newspapers that the temperature the previous night had fallen to a new low for Chandigarh - 1 degree Celsius. Last night also a similar feeling was there. 5 layers of good protective clothing couldn’t stop the shivering. It was extraordinarily cold. It was proved this morning. The temperature had fallen to a new low – where it had not gone for the past 33 years – ZERO degree Celsius. Many of my friends, in US may argue that the temperatures there fall well below zero. But here, unlike US, there are no central heating systems installed in every car and every house, to make you comfortable where ever you are. You need to have quilt, add another one on top, then snug under it and just hope that time freezes there and then like everything else around.
It is fruitless to even wait for the morning sun to come up and heat things a bit. As I am writing these words, the sun is shining full and bright. But it still feels cold to sit in the open. I am sitting inside the greenhouse heated car and the thought of even rolling down the windows is chilling. And strange are the ways of nature - around 4 - 5 months from now, the same green house warmth of the car will be burning you down and you will be sitting in 80% less clothing and contemplating whether the air conditioner’s temperature need to be lowered further.
As of now, it is time to enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon and doze off in the warmth of ‘naturally’ heated car.

8 comments:

Cuckoo said...

Delhi was 3 degrees, didn't know abt CH. And yes, one shouldn't compare Indian scenario with any foreign country.

For one reason, I feel good that I moved out here. :)

Flyaway Mind said...

hmmm..winter season..this is the time of the year we wish we could go for hibernation too, like those lucky rodents:)) *sigh*

enjoy!!!

Amey said...

A cold wave and schools cloased in Delhi... sub-zero temperatures and my college starts tomorrow... Some things only happen to others ;)

SiD said...

@cuckoo: it feels good about moving out only when it touches the extremes... generally winters are great!!!

@flyaway mind: hibernation - nice idea... alas! not a possible one!!!

@fleiger: hahaa... so u gain something.. and you lose something...
but here too only schools are closed.. office still carries on

KT said...

zero degree...??? wow... I always try to imagine what is it like in zero degree...

does water really freeze as soon as you about to gulp it down the throat.. although i've braved delhi winters for 4 yrs... but it was never zero degrees...

anyways the whole of north india is engulfed in a cold wave... such is the news in my home town as well.. just that as this time I feel extremely lucky to be in Mysore (or for that matter in S. India)

Amey said...

Currently I attend a school... people in office can take care of themselves ;)

bharath mukkati said...

hey sid, thats too low man! how did you survive... heard its -15 out there in chicago... im sure i'll die after being here in India for a month...

SiD said...

ya.. heard it's quite cold out in US... all the best bharath bhai.. ;)
enjoy the warmth of India as long as you can!!