You know what I mean? At some point in December and often through to mid January there’s this little window where the air suddenly feels cooler. The humidity drops and the lack of moisture seems to change the quality of the light. Colors are more intense, the sky appears a sharper shade of blue and cloudless. While the days remain hot it’s a different, less sticky sort of heat and in the evenings and early mornings there’s a real nip to the air.
Anyway I thought this simple climatic fact of Colombo life was a given, gospel truth until I discovered that Indi and Shruthi didn’t believe in Christmas weather – at least they hadn’t previously noticed the phenomenon. I was shocked. For me our very subtle little winter is an essential part of the Christmas season. It’s usually on one of these lighter breezier mornings you start chopping the cashews, the ginger preserve, the cherries and the chow chow for Christmas cake. Years ago when you began anticipating father Christmas’s arrival by waking up early everyday of the week before the 25th there was always a slight chill in the air.
It’s no white Christmas but its our own tropical island winter weather. Those not raised on lankan soil might not appreciate the difference between 30 degrees with 90 % humidity and 29 degrees with 50% humidity but for Sri Lankan’s this slight variance is an important part of the Christmas Season. Ar least that’s what I always thought. Can some Yamuans please tell me I’m not alone…
