Are You Ready for Winter?
Sharp changes in the weather over the past two weeks have signaled that winter is on its way. The sun sets earlier each day. The poplar trees are turning golden, and the chinars a brilliant red.
view from our window
Yesterday it rained most of the day and into the night, and when we looked out our widow this morning we saw snow on the mountains for the first time since April! We have never lived in a place that freezes in the winter; dealing with snow and below-zero temperatures will be a new experience for us!
Among the important things we have to learn from our local friends are the traditional ways of surviving the cold. Among the most significant: a heavy outer garment, something between a poncho and an overcoat, usually made of wool. This garment is called a “ferrin,” and two weeks ago I visited my friend Shaha to get her advice on having one made. She pulled out one of her ferrins and showed me the special style of sleeve that only married women wear.
wool ferrin, wool sheep
She taught me the words for the embroidery around the neckline, the pocket, and the hem, and encouraged me to look for the heaviest, warmest fabric I could find. She showed me how the hem should reach halfway down my calf in order to be the proper length, and of course urged me to buy plenty of extra fabric because I’m so tall! She gave me suggestions for where to shop; in areas that were flooded, fabric shops may have lost all their inventory. Finally, she ticked off all the other clothing I would need: Sweater? Long underwear? Warm socks? Wool headscarf?
As we talked in Shaha’s sitting room, seated on her rug, we shared a blanket draped over our legs. Her daughter brought us cups of chai. The warmth of her home and friendship made me reluctant to leave for the chilly walk home. Speaking of home, our apartment also needs some serious preparation for the winter—insulation on the walls is next on the list! But most important for surviving the winter: good friends and the warmth of their care for me.
Posted in Uncategorized by Lisa