This beautiful, fleeting peace only lasts about six weeks before the frost hits.

As of now, Australia is experiencing its .

Right now, as the Northern Hemisphere shakes off the chill of March and looks toward May flowers, Australia is exhaling. We are deep in the grip of —specifically, Autumn (March to May). But to call it simply "Autumn" in the North American or European sense is a disservice. This is not a season of decay or gloom; it is a season of relief .

Daylight Saving ended on the first Sunday of April (for the southern states). The consequence? "Sunset at 5:00 PM." The evening comes fast and hard. It catches you off guard. One day you are having after-work beers in the sun; the next, you are walking to the train in pitch darkness at 6:00 PM. This signals the brain: Slow down. Hibernate.