NOSTALGIA UK
Summer ... the biggest eye opener (1994)
Scotland introduced me to three of the four seasons for the first time.
We arrived in Glasgow during the bone-chilling cold of early January. As I looked out from the coach window on the ride from Glasgow Airport to Langside College, everything seemed cloaked in grey, as if the sun had never dared to shine. Some days were so cold that speaking became a challenge; words containing "s" were almost impossible to pronounce as my lips would turn numb and uncooperative. I’ve previously shared how dry my skin became, particularly around the crotch and inner thigh areas, resulting in painful and itchy rashes that only made the experience harsher.
Spring didn’t stand out much to me at first; it felt barely warmer than winter, making it difficult to distinguish the two seasons. However, the sight of plants and flowers returning to life added a touch of color and vibrancy, as if nature itself was making an effort to brighten up the grey landscape.
I had high hopes for summer, eagerly anticipating relief from the constant rashes and dry skin. I soon discovered, however, that bright, sunny days in the UK were more the exception than the rule. Still, we were lucky enough to experience a handful of gloriously warm days. I remember one such day clearly: Fudin and I decided to go for a jog. The temperature was perfect, the sun lingered high in the sky for hours, and it felt as if the entire city of Glasgow had poured into the parks, basking in the rare sunshine. People looked joyous and carefree, soaking up every moment. I was especially taken aback by the sudden shift in wardrobes, particularly among the women; the clothes were doing more showing of everything than covering anything, a stark contrast to the usual attire of the earlier months.
Between the three seasons, summer was the biggest eye opener.