Winter has arrived and made itself at home in Poland, sealing the entire country in ice. And for the first time, I’ve truly missed it.

Here, where I live, gloves are unnecessary. Yesterday I didn’t even wear a jacket — a warm fleece was enough.

Here, winter requires a journey. And that’s fine, especially when it sometimes takes only an hour. After that hour, I’m knee-deep in snow, warmed by the sun, sunglasses on my nose — a winter completely unlike the Polish one.

Here, winter is something I only visit. For a day or two.