On
Wednesday, I was planning to write about the “winter” in New York. It was 14
degree Celsius. The sun was shining. Birds were singing. People on the street
did not even wear jackets. Some were even wearing only t-shirts. Remember, it
was February, 8. – when New York is said to be terribly cold, terribly windy,
and terribly uncomfortable.
And
February 8 was no exception so far. The perfect topic for small talk, the
weather, was even more suitable for small-talk, as we could also complain that
nobody knows what to wear. One day, it was 0 degree Celsius, another day we had
10 degrees. Twice, we had a little bit of snow, which melted however soon. Mostly,
it was “spring”. People started complaining that they bought expensive winter
jackets and boots.
But,
on Wednesday, suddenly, we received worried emails. Law School Alert. The Emergency
Management Operation Team addressing us. A storm is coming. Snow. Ice. Cold. It
was hard to believe, sitting in the sun and enjoying lunch outside. Yet, they
seemed to be serious. One night later, New York was shut down. The University
had canceled all classes and activities. All events were canceled.
Transportation was operating with delays and reduced in service. Shops closed. Public
Schools were closed. Even the entire United Nations, where I am currently doing
an externship, announced to be closed. Snow day.
Within
8 hours of snow and storm, New York was covered in white. And work life stood still.
Just Central Park was crowded, with children playing in the snow, with couples romantically
wandering through winter wonderland, dogs being confused about the shoes they
were supposed to wear or wondering why they were carried.
I am
not sure if it was absolutely necessary to shut down the entire city, because of
20 cm of snow and some wind. But in any event, everybody enjoyed a free snow
day.
