Sub-zero Temperatures Greet Easter Vacationers in London

By HAZLINDA HAMZAH LONDON, April 1 (Bernama) -- The last week of March saw plummeting temperatures to the extent that the thermometer reached readings of sub-zero degree Celsius even during daytime here. This freezing temperatures were greatly felt by visitors from countries with tropical climate. “I came here (London) for vacation (but) the temperatures were too extreme for me. It is a sort of climatic shock to my friends and I as we came from a country with tropical climate, Mexico,” a tourist who wished to be named as Jenny, in her 30s, told this writer not far from Buckingham Palace. In Britain and many other countries in the European continent, spring was supposed to begin early March when winter bids farewell end of February. However, this year the freezing temperatures appeared to extend their stay longer in some 50 years. The last similar episode was said to be in 1963. When approached in the British Museum, a woman said the snowing season this year lasted until March. EASTER HOLIDAY The 'London Evening Standard' said many from Britain have chosen to celebrate the Easter Holiday in 'sunny' countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia, Spain and the Carribean islands. Christians regarded Easter as the most important date in the Christian calendar. Easter is understood to include Good Friday and Easter Sunday, which are three days apart. However, Easter truly refers to Easter Sunday – the day on which the resurrection of Jesus is remembered and celebrated. For visitors who are already in London, they came prepared to face the long winter. Those who are familiar with the cold as they have been staying in Britain and other countries with four seasons also feel the sub-zero temperatures this time. They wore layers of thick clothing just to keep warm. A visitor from Denmark who spent six days vacationing with his family in London said the temperatures in his homeland were lower. “I am used to the cold but did not expect to celebrate Easter in winter. We have to wear thick clothings during our vacation," he said. What did the Londoners says? “I will go to spend the holiday in Marrakesh (Morrocco) tomorrow, too cold here," said a British man when asked about the extreme temperatures at the underground railway station in Oxford Circus. The man, in his 20s, had been shopping at department stores like Selfridges, H&M, Marks & Spencer, Hamleys and Top Shop which at that time were holding the Spring sales inconjunction with Easter. WINTER VACATION This writer also met several Malaysians who were on vacation here. "It is cold, real cold but we have been advised to bring 'thermal' and thick clothings to withstand the cold temperatures," said Noorshazeele Zakaria, 25. Hazman Sapawi from International Islamic Uiversity Malaysia (IIUM) said he had been to London at the same time of the year in 2012. "I am ready with thick clothings but this time I brought thicker clothes," he said. London newspapers reported that the weathermen predicted that this current cold season is expected to last another month. -- BERNAMA