The Savage Way

Why’s it, that the ‘Coca Cola Weihnachtstruck’ commercial, combined with Melanie Thornton’s hymn ‘Wonderful Dreams’, triggers my Christmas mood immediately? I don’t even care about Santa Claus pictured on the sides, it just fits best for my image of Christmas spirit. A brightly lit truck, being driven through snowcapped landscapes, letting everyone he passes suddenly remember that Christmas time is right upon them.

That leads me to the next sobering conclusion: Christmas here is so not what it could be. It’s like every other holiday in Austria celebrated half-heartedly, as there is way too much focus put on things that, of course, are more important than decorating your doors, windows, rooftops or gardens, but still, in my opinion, should be put aside this time around. And although I still wish for a white December 24th, inside I’ve already abandoned all hope for that miracle to happen. I once more want to wake up in the morning, look outside my window and discover the whole courtyard covered white. I want to turn on the radio, experiencing the announcement being made that Vienna is entirely buried in snow, no chance of it stopping till late February. I want the city in a state of exception.