Across the street

If you peer closely through the curtains, you can see a lovely Christmas tree decorated in the apartment across the way. I wasn't able to make it to 3rd of Advent services last night with friends, but it was comforting to see the celebrations happening in this flat while I worked on an abominable term paper. I haven't really felt like Christmas was on the way - it's easy to forget without Jingle Bells repeating on the radio, or without the ubiquitous decorations that spring up around Halloween. Things here have not been as quaint as Uppsala was, but there are still small signs that it's time to go home. I am enjoying the Dutch sense of openness which manifests itself with gauze curtains and open windows, as I can enjoy their celebrations vicariously.