November 29th 2024.
As the holiday season approaches, the village has been facing an unexpected challenge - a shortage of snow. Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, is usually covered in a thick layer of snow by late November, but this year, the streets are wet with rain and the temperature is hovering around 2 degrees Celsius. This change is due to the effects of global warming, as greenhouse gas emissions continue to warm the planet.
Despite this setback, Santa remains optimistic. "My reindeer can fly, so that's no problem," he reassures, with a twinkle in his eye and a long white beard. After a long day of meeting excited children and adults, Santa takes a well-deserved break, resting his weary legs in his cozy home.
The village of Rovaniemi has always been known for its snowy landscapes, but now, visitors are noticing a difference. Maria Batista Torres from Tenerife, Spain, who is visiting with her two young children, describes the village as "super magical, just like in the Christmas movies." Glittering fairy lights adorn rooftops and trees, creating a festive atmosphere in the Santa Claus Village, which is open year-round.
One visitor from the United States, named Wenguel, admits that they were expecting more snow. "I mean, it still feels like Christmas... but I thought it would be more Santa-like," they say with a laugh. Despite the lack of snow, visitors are still flocking to the village from all over the world, eager to experience the holiday spirit in the hometown of Santa Claus.
In addition to meeting Santa, visitors can also enjoy snowmobiling and reindeer sleigh rides. And even though the skies may be gloomy, the Santa's Post Office is bustling with activity. Red-hooded elves are hard at work, stamping cards and sorting piles of letters in the Christmas rush. "In December, we receive about 30,000 letters every day," says postal elf Heidi Mustonen, who has been working here for 20 years.
It's no surprise that the Santa's Post Office is a busy place, as over half a million letters are sent here every year from children and adults all over the world. Heidi assures us that each and every letter is opened and read thoroughly. While most of the letters are wish lists, some also contain personal messages, fears, and hopes. Many even include drawings and small gifts. "This year, we've noticed a lot of people wishing for peace," Heidi shares.
Letters from Asian countries are mostly written by young adults, who often express their wishes for strength to get through their studies. On the other hand, letters from European countries are mostly written by children, who are excited to share their Christmas wishes with Santa. Despite the warm and happy atmosphere in the village, Heidi can't help but wish for some snow to add to the festive spirit. "If we could, we would make snow everywhere," she says with a smile, "but we are just postal elves."
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