Snowy portent

Today it snows in Budapest. A light, watery snow, drifting on a gentle wind. It is the first of the winter. And, briefly, I feel like a child experiencing snow for the first time – which is clearly the case for some of the smaller, well-wrapped, toddlers-in-hand passing by.

This is my first Budapest winter. But on this well-walked street, Budapestis seem almost oblivious to the snow, walking casually without hat or umbrella. Even the man in his wheelchair, who likes to use the roadway rather than the pavement, is speeding about his business without extra protection from the elements.

I have heard stories of how deep the winter here can sometimes be. Deep in ice and snow, with temperatures falling to minus 20C. In contrast, today's passing snowflakes seem worthy of no more than a Budapesti shrug. But for me it is a sign of significant things to come – the Great Hungarian Winter.

Will it be mild or will it be severe? We shall see...