‘In the Netherlands I became depressed in the winter’
Image: Sherina Shantelle Photography and Private
Sharifa Samora (37) runs a fashion and lifestyle blog and is married to Eduard (57). They live in Montreal, Canada with their children Liora (7), Boaz (6) and Levi (3).
“Family and friends in the Netherlands are in shock that I think the Canadian winters are so fantastic. I understand, because in Amsterdam I was always slightly depressed during those months. I can’t stand rain, didn’t like it getting dark so early and felt the cold down to my bones. But here in Montreal, winters are like on a postcard: sunny, clear blue skies and meters high snow. During the day it freezes an average of twenty degrees, but it is a different kind of cold. Dryer. As a result, I still feel comfortable walking with an open coat at minus five.
“Here in Montreal, the winters are like on a postcard: sunny, a clear blue sky and meters high snow”
Because of my origins – my parents are from Surinam – I have never felt completely at home in Amsterdam South. My husband and I both wanted to live abroad and Montreal is mainly because it is such a multicultural city. Young, old, white, black: everyone lives together here and if you are different, you are appreciated. You don’t have to make it here as a lawyer in the Zuidas, but walk your own path.
Read also – Moved to Austria: ‘Even pregnant I still went off-piste skiing’ >
Fresh air
We have lived here in a house in the city for four years now. In addition, we have a cottage in the mountains an hour away where we go every weekend. In winter, our children have ski lessons and we skate on the lake. I also like to walk on snowshoes; of those wide rackets that you click under your shoes. Nothing feels better than that fresh, healthy outdoor air.
Even at minus fifteen I go out – well packed, that is. The first year I forgot a hat and came home with a pounding headache. Since then I always wear a headband that covers my forehead and ears. I also have about eight winter coats, including several that belong to the category heavy gear: that you see the jacket first, and then me. They almost all fall above the knee, so that my butt also stays warm. And further layers: the Canadians swear by it. Boaz sometimes complains that despite this he is still cold.
“One advantage: we never have discussions that the children want to go outside without a coat”
One advantage: we never have discussions about the children wanting to go outside without a coat. I do get up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning to put them all in those clothes, because everyone has to be at school on time anyway. Ha, in that respect I remain Dutch. Just like I bake apple pies and oil balls with my daughter. Meanwhile, the boys have snowball fights and Eduard chops wood for the fireplace. It won’t get any more winters.”
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