Winter in Israel- A Fleeting Gust of Cold

The weather is a key factor in many major decisions in my life. It influenced where I went college and also what city I lived in here in Israel. I know myself well enough to know that I do not thrive in a cold environment. "But you grew up in CT?" you might say. My response to that is two-fold: as a child you do not know any better and you also don't have a choice. True, I did chose to live in Boston for 2 years after school but 2 winters there quickly showed me that I am more suited for warmer climates.
This long biographical introduction brings me to the point at hand: it can get cold in Israel during the winter, but her saving grace is that it does not last for more than a few weeks. I am not talking relatively cold for Israelis; I mean flashbacks to Boston cold. As a pedestrian the cold takes on a different meaning. The other day I instinctively drew my scarf over my mouth as I walked outside so my breath would keep my neck warm (a habit I picked up waiting for the T in Boston). I have taken out sweaters that I have not worn since I arrived in Israel because the weather had not called for it before now. But don't take my word for it. Last week it snowed in Jerusalem for 2 days consecutively. They cancelled school and stopped all forms of public transportation. Then again, I went to Jerusalem the day after this 2 day snow storm and could barely find remnants of the storm. There was a little snow at the side of the road and a few patches left in the park but besides wet streets you would not believe that the day before all inter and intra-city buses were canceled due to dangerous roads. The thing about snow in Jerusalem is that it happens once a year at best. Unless you live near the Hermon you are not accustomed to constant or even semi-regular snow fall.
And as for the cold- that also passes in 2 to 3 weeks, in Tel Aviv at least. On Thursday it was stormy and cold in Tel Aviv and I was wrapped up in Boston sweaters and cursing the lack of insulation in my apartment. On Saturday I got sunburned at a tennis game.
Jealous? Reason #752 to make aliyah.