Monochrome, but no less lovely

From one season to the next, this corner of the world changes is so much, it’s like living in a different land.  It is one of the many pleasures of living high in the Alps.

One sunny spring day last year, I walked around Embach and photographed some of the benches where residents and visitors enjoy the beauty of our mountain surroundings. You can see them on the blog I wrote last May 27^th, Misery, it’s a sight for sore eyes.

Just recently it was a grey day, light snow drifting down –a monochrome world. The benches are still there but look less inviting as a place to sit. Their wintry setting, though totally different, is equally attractive. The frost-rimed branches crouch over the snow-covered seats like a crone’s skinny arms attempting to protect them from the elements.

Every season has its beauty – even on grey, chilly days. But of course, when the sun shines, as it so often does here, Embach is second to none.

Exhibitionists and Voyeuers

The winter weather might be similar but aspects of life in Norway are very different to ours in Austria. Sitting just south of the capital Oslo, and looking out of the window at people taking their afternoon stroll despite the minus 15⁰C,  wrapped in hats, scarves and bulky coats, one could be forgiven for saying things are much the same in both in both places.

But as the sun goes down at 3 pm, and lights in the houses come on, one difference becomes clear: Norwegians don't have much use for curtains.  In Embach, as the sun sets, curtains are drawn making living rooms and kitchens snug and cosy.  Norwegians, however, brightly light their rooms for all outside to see.

From where I sit on the second floor, I can see directly into the kitchens and living rooms of a number of homes. People are preparing the evening meal, watching tv, working on their computers, reading the newspaper, and enjoying coffee and cake. As the evening wears on, more rooms are lit and more details of private life at home in Norway become apparent.

The temptation into voyeurism is hard to resist: your neighbours' lives laid bare. But no- one seems to notice or be bothered.

Are the Norwegians.exhibtionists? Not really, but in a land where winter daylight hours are short, during the long dark evenings, people are keen to see as much light as possible. Keeping the curtains open (if there are any) means it is possible to glance outside and see that the world hasn't gone away.

Back in Embach, one other difference is evident at this time of year: Austrians get up early and are heading for the ski lifts in bright daylight at 8am. In Oslo, no one seems to want to lower their feet to the bedroom floor until the sun has shown itself after 9. So it's hardly surprising that Embachers are snuggling under the covers by 10 pm while Norwegian lights are burning brightly till midnight.