in colors of a snowy linen land.

this was an unusual weather for europa, it was bitter cold since late november and till now, there's no stoping it.  it was minus degrees for the last months. it snowed heavily last week here in düsseldorf, but till now, the snow had not melted since then. it was straight out of a fairytale - winter wonderland or winter horror land? there were major problems, i couldnt wash my clothes anymore in the washing machine, because the water pipes in the cellar are frozen and water could not come out. at least i know how to wash clothes by hands - ha!

since i came back from the philippines a month ago, i was basking in the warm weather, when i came back, i was surprised to see europa AND DÜSSELDORF so white. it was what i had been dreaming. snow, ice, cold and chill with sunshine and great blue sky, what a cliché. normally i go to the alsace region of france, the alps in austria (cheaper) and the eifel valley in germany just to see snow but now, it's just basically everywhere.

i was working, sleeping, eating, bumming since i got back, it was a daily routine and i got bored. i havent appreciated what was on my doorstep. so today i finally got my lazy butt working and taking pictures again.

so i decided to go to schloß eller (more of like a chateau), the most beautiful castle in düsseldorf (in my opinion) i waited till it was between 2-3 pm, as the sunlight in this time is so beautiful in winter. it stays in the middle for an hour, giving an unusual glow and reflection in the snow bed.

schloß eller is a prussian period castle built in the 1800s, but the castle grounds and wings were built much earlier in the middle ages. the castle was home to the fashion school of düsseldorf but now moved, has it's own forest and fortress which is protected by a moat that encircles the castle.  the castle is small comparable to others, but what i like about it, was that the gardens are not manicured, trees and plants and shrubs just grow everywhere but it gives an eerie, shadowy and somehow dark mood in the castle grounds. it feels like i am back in time.

so i was there on time at 2:30 pm. and what an amazing light it was. the sky was blue but it was so cold, i had three socks with me and my converse which didnt hold in 3 inches of snow. i had my thickest parka and schal and lili's gift to me, my peruvian bonnet, and my candy cane 80's hand gloves (hahaha) so i was fucking warm from waist up, but my feet were so cold, it was funny because i was walking like a duck.

i was open mouthed when i went into the forest, as someone was SKIING on the road, i looked at him and he looked at me, we both looked stupid looking at each other.

there are alot of people having a walk in the castle, the normally grassland was covered with snow and saw kids and family playing in the snowfield. i was a bit saddened, but it was in the past, now i can smile and laugh again. because i saw again the beauty of this world. it was white this time.

in less than an hour, i decided to go home, as my toes and feet were numb, i cant feel them anymore but funny because i feel the pain of coldness.