Despite having grown up with winter and despite choosing to attend a university that doubles down on winter every year, I have become a wintertime lightweight. I don’t handle cold very well! Having spent the last 11 years of my life living on a beach, with a view of the water and some of the most stunning sunsets in the world, has ruined me for cold weather. I get it. I’m a brat now.
Intellectually, I knew what I was getting into when I moved to New Zealand. I understood that Queenstown has its fair share of ski resorts, so logically it means that there’s plenty of snow to go around in the winter. But somehow reconciling those facts with the actual *feeling* of cold weather didn’t exactly go as planned. I am unprepared.
This used to be my favorite winter coat. I bought the fleece in Reykjavik when I traveled with a close friend for her milestone birthday a few years back, and I craved those rare moments when I needed something this warm and cozy. It has those thumbholes in the sleeves, too, which I have learned that I can no longer live without. The brand is Icelandic – I don’t know if you can buy it outside the country, even – and I loved it for years. Until I came here and realized that it isn’t warm enough. How’s that for hilarious? My Icelandic fleece jacket doesn’t keep me warm enough in Queenstown. [Side note: I’m totally screwed for winter.] [Side note #2: houses here are not built for winter. It makes no sense to me, but these structures do not have central heating and bedrooms are always downstairs!]
So, I upgraded. Yep, I finally broke down and bought a puffer jacket. Nothing says “I live here now” like a black, tufted, water-repellent puffer jacket (with hood!). I researched about 7 dozen different brands / styles / colors / insulation types / lengths / names before finally settling on this one… It’s got traceable duck down for insulation (my feathers come from grey ducks in China), fleece cuffs inside the sleeves for keeping the cold out, and drawstrings inside the pockets to pull the bottom hem tight against the elements. I kinda want to wear the thing ALL THE TIME, even indoors – it’s just that comfortable. If I buy another puffer jacket, someone will have to come rescue me from this frozen wonderland and defrost me on an island. Deal?
I guess I’m committed to this place, if I’m buying a puffer jacket. Wish me luck!
Love the jacket – can’t believe you are wearing a “puffer” jacket (laughing to myself!) But all in the name of love so go for it And BTW, I would never visit in winter!