Summertime Blues
20 06 2007Tomorrow is the longest day of the year. That makes me the tiniest bit sad as it means the days start getting shorter again, slowly but surely - the great pessimist that I am. It also means that we are slap bang in the middle of summer!
Growing up we always learned in school that the seasons were as follows:
Spring - February, March, April
Summer - May, June, July
Autumn - August, September, October
Winter - November, December, January
When I left Ireland I discovered that this way of thinking was particularly Irish and the rest of the world generally uses a totally different system. Apparently our way is based on the old celtic calendar. However I feel the need to point out to the doubters that the idea of mid-summer’s day being 21 June fits perfectly with what I was taught was summer.
Mid-Summer’s day is celebrated all around the world in different ways - concerts, street parties, bonfires, beach parties …. The city I live in is also celebrating this year! How fantastic I thought - how great to mark mid-summer’s day. And then I discovered how they are celebrating. No we’re not talking about Shakespeare plays or special orchestral performances in the town square. Nope The Hague is letting you shop until midnight. You can buy knickers and socks right up until 12 o’ clock. Hurray! Yes that is the extent of the excitement and there are posters all around town in anticipation. Three extra hours of shopping. Just what this town needed. I despair!
A good time to leave then as I will be celebrating Mid-Summer’s day by going to a wedding at the top of a mountain in Switzerland followed by a short visit to Italy! This of course means I won’t be around for a while. I will reappear for a flash visit in the beginning of July before continuing my rainbow tour and going to Ireland for a week. Don’t miss me too much and enjoy the longest day - just please do something more exciting than shopping.
THAT’S UNBELIEVABLE!!
Well, us Irish are unique. Your travels sound fantastic. Have a wonderful trip!!
Have fun travelling! We’ll be here when you get back.
And your system sounds better than our Southern California seasons. We only have 2 seasons —
The Dry, Hot Season — April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
The Wet, Not-So-Hot Season — November, December, January, February, March.
There is considerable overlap for the Dry Season, which can start in March and go through to November. It sucks.
Enjoy the wedding and the rest of your holidays!
Some survival Italian for you:
Un mojito per favore - a Mojito please
Una bottiglia di vino bianco per favore - A bottle of white wine please
Mi scusi, abbiamo ordinato due ore fa ma non è ancora arrivato niente - Excuse me, we ordered two hours ago but nothing’s come yet
That should pretty much see you through…
Oh, and take some nice pics and post ‘em on Flickr…
Thanks Ellen - unique is a good word for it
Fat Sparrow - well many in ireland would argue that there’s really only one season there - the rainy season
caro - hehehe the three most impoprtant phrases - you’re a star, thank you. I just got a new camera so I can’t wait to try it out on my hols!
Have a brilliant time. The idea of a wedding on top of a mountain is very appealing. Mind you a divorce and a new man need to be sought first. Will miss your posts. Hurry back.
Something more exciting than shopping? Is that a high summer jest?
ellie - I have visions of everybody running about the mountain singing The Hills are alive with the sound of music
Eolaí - hmm there’s got to be one or two things if we think hard. Watching repeats of Glenroe?
Three extra hours of shopping? That’s the best celebration anyone can come up with? Aren’t there any Druids or ancient religious orders having midsummer ceremonies? Wot a lack of imagination.
A wedding at the top of a mountain - literally? Do you have to spend three hours climbing to the peak? Or is there an easier way?
Have a great holiday. As it happens Jenny and I’ll be in Amsterdam at the end of June. I’ll record my impressions when I get back.
Oh my good lord I do hope there isn’t any climbing involved considering the amount I’ve packed.
Have a fabulous time in Amsterdam. can’t wait to hear your stories. Strange that you’ll be here when I am not
… just please do something more exciting than shopping.
Pick litter, so.
Happy Mid-Summer!
Will miss you dearly. I’m also incredibly jealous. My cousin’s wedding was in podunk Massachusetts, not atop a mountain in Switzerland. Have fun!
Have fun n all that.
i was in finland once on midsummer. bonfires and drunks everywhere. it was great.
here are the seasons where i come from, minnesota:
spring: may-june
summer: july-august
fall: september-october
winter: november, december, january, february, march and april
happy travels!
i’ve just been drinking*…and will probaby continue!
enjoy your holidays, sugar!
*a mini vacation of sorts..different from the regular drinking, i mean…different places and things…*
Enjoy the hols and mind yerself up on them alp yokes.
Bring us back a stick of rock.
Happy Holidays, Conor.
Enjoy your travels and be safe.
Take pictures to post!
I like the Singapore version of whether - wet and dry. Although I did have a good laugh that February could be considered Spring in Ireland.
LOL - Yeah, I meant weather. Time to turn my brain on.
Have fun on your trip! I celebrated the longest day of the year at a ’solstice party’ in Portland, don’t you know. Just in case you thought you were the only jet-setter around here.
Some of us Irish celebrated midsummer in a very nice place indeed. But where exactly is a secret, in case they catch up with us.
Bored now.
Are ya back yet?