Angelika Only 10 days left... Michael grumbles because the season for wearing shorts is finally over. Until the end, he resisted pulling the long pants out of the closet. A few days ago, I bought another "Cheap" brand umbrella because, after the long period without rain, I hadn't been prepared for the wetness from above that also falls from the sky in San Francisco during the winter. But even though Christmas is approaching and the rain is making its return, our gloves and scarves are gathering dust in closets and drawers. While Michael has transformed into a Californian and vows never to live in cold countries again, I long for winter days during the Christmas season when Northern Europeans visit Christmas markets and drink mulled wine to ward off the cold. I must admit that we often romanticize what we've left behind when we're abroad. I think of crisp, sunny winter days; you think of black ice, wetness, and slush. I crave gingerbread and Mon Cheri candy, while you are annoyed that Christmas items are already in stores in October.

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