I found Autumn!

"Do you know what Autumn is?" asked my 5-year-old son. "Of course I know what Autumn is; its the time when the leaves turn yellow and wind becomes cold." I said plainly as we walked back from his kindergarten. Honestly speaking, this is my very first real Autumn! I have only read about this weather in books and believed that it exists in some areas. In Mumbai we have no Autumn, we have the monsoon when it does not rain, it pours. In Delhi, we have Hazy weather all year round and it may get cold in late October/ November. Here, in Salzburg, I am witnessing seasons like spring, summer (though short-lived), and now autumn. Of course, I had a spring in my step when I saw that leaves don't just turn yellow/brown but also orange and red!

The chilly atmosphere and leaves slowly falling from trees every time a sharp cold wind blows is simply magical. I know, many things are magical to me in Salzburg but a sunny autumn day at the park will definitely make it to my top 10 things to do in Salzburg. I can feel the celebrations coming up soon and how people get busier trying to prep up not just for the winter but also Christmas. Driving by the countryside and watching Kurbis (pumpkins) lined up for purchase itself is a sight and leads me to believe that pumpkin is sacred to the Autumn season. Clothing has suddenly changed and not a single day goes by when I am not reminded of the fact that I am underdressed for the weather. Sometimes it's the cap, sometimes a second layer inside the jacket or just my shoes. It does rain here and that makes the umbrella a necessary evil to carry. 

This weather calls for a cozy home with incense candles lit and some healthy soup or hot cup of coffee by the window, romancing the green transforming into the yellow. The season also calls for some Halloween prep as I recently noticed shops full of decorations specific to the festival. In anticipation, I have already purchased candy shaped as monster eyes and worms! Can't wait to have some bizarre moments and drinks during this festival. Crazy as it sounds, I am looking forward to this season and equipped to handle the cold; my only hope remains that the light remains and it doesn't start getting dark by 4-5pm which I had witnessed last year. As I write this short article, I sigh at the sight of yet another dark cloud that covers the Gaisberg mountain. The onset of winter is here and shorter days are inevitable.