When You Put a Floridian in the North
What experiencing this is like for the first time was an adult.
I’ll admit it, I love the cold. I LOVE visiting the north during the winter season and getting to wear those winter coats I bought in my South Florida Nordstrom department store. I may only get to wear these trendy coats once or twice a year, but man do I look cute when I get to put those bad boys on.
I am up in New York with Kwaisi right now, taking in as much Brooklyn as I can before I’m banished back to my sunshine state. The snow seems like a fluffy cloud set on earth, the brisk weather awakens my inner eskimo, and I once again fall in love with the northeast.
But this love, according to the locals and former northerners I know, is merely a honeymoon phase. I’m constantly told how awful the cold actually is, JUST as much as I tell people that long for the Florida climate that it’s like living in a forest fire all summer. After thinking about it, I can kind of (kind of) see what these snow bunnies are complaining about. I can also see how similar this hate for the cold resembles my hate for the year-round heat.
Regardless, the fascination I have for snow falling from the sky is comparable to a child seeing a magic trick unfold before them. It’s f**king amazing. The things that go through my mind are so totally opposite of the typical commuting New Yorker.
A State of Shock
Cold isn’t cold. I don’t feel the actuality that is the 20 degree weather. I’m more distracted by the fluffy snow and contrasting landscape of dark cement and white rainfall. It’s just like when Northerners come down to Florida. They are too distracted by the palm trees and clear blue water to feel the 100+ degree weather and wall of humidity that I’m most focused on.
Visitors to any new climate suffer from what I like to call “a state of shock.” This “the grass is always greener” foolery is only temporarily applicable. All that goes through my mind as I walk through the ankle deep mounds of snow is how much better this is than having burning hot February days. I don’t see the brown slushy mush snow of tomorrow, and I don’t feel the piercing cold wind brush up against my cheek. Blizzards don’t even cross my mind. I’m in a winter wonderland.
Dreaming of Real Seasons
So while I’m eating up this cold weather like it’s the hippest new diet trend, I can’t help but imagine how glorious the year must be here. Instead of feeling like I’m in a constant state of retirement home resort weather, I’m left picturing winter filled “white Christmases” and snow angels.
Wearing shorts during December and January has become the new square thing to do, but I do it each and every year. I pretty much have no choice. Anywhere north of Florida is a miracle, because the things that are sold in stores actually correspond with the weather. Holiday’s actually FEEL like holidays, and you can enjoy hot chocolate without breaking into a sweat. Humanity and it’s surroundings actually compliment each other. Nothing but sunshine and summer months belong on the beach.
Wishing to Not Sweat 75% of the Year
Probably the worst part of living in the south is sweating when you step outside. It’s certainly not something I miss when I visit the northern states. Yeah, they may have some days that share in the blood-scorching weather that us Floridian’s complain about all the time, but nothing is worse than walking around on a Winter afternoon feeling like you’re in a sauna. The only time I like feeling like I need to shower because of sweat saturation is after a workout. There’s no grosser feeling than doing nothing but stand there and perspire like a pig.
Even though the South does have it’s advantages (and trust me, we do), I can’t help but indulge in the wonders of the northern weather. I may look like a Floridian tourist as I gaze in amazement at the fallen snow, but it’s just a reminder of how beautiful weather diversity can be.
Perhaps limited exposure to all weather extremes is more enjoyable than dooming yourself to one particular climate. One can enjoy your vacation without having enough time to actually see what you’re fussing about. Whatever the case may be, a change in scenery is, if anything, refreshing. This Floridian is frolicking around in the snow.
