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Published: February 27th 2009
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Skyline
Skyline of the city in winter, taken from Ile Ste-Hélène, ice in the Saint Lawrence River Time has flown since our last trip in September. And while we haven't been traveling, we have both making observations about our surroundings like any good travelers would. Most of our observations have centred around the change of the seasons and the onset of winter.
$*#%^!! may be the most common statement as of late. It may have something to do with the onset of winter. You see, it is the Aussie's first real winter, and unfortunately for him, it has been off to a rather cold start. So as the Canuk, it has been my job to get him out to experience it.
We returned from our road trip in the Maritimes in mid-September, and we both got straight back into work. I benefited from the kids going back to school and from the political atmosphere, as I worked both as a science instructor and for the elections. Between my two jobs and Dave's busy work schedule, it didn't look like we'd get out to explore the city much or enjoy the change of seasons.
Despite the lack of free time, I did manage to drag Dave up Mont Royal to see the brilliant colours early in the morning. Dave explored more of the city by bike, and we spent lots of time in Parc Lafontaine, enjoying the last days of vitamin-D-producing sunlight.
And so the snow came. Our list of winter activities thus far include watching the snow fall while drinking hot drinks, learning to deal with the sun setting by 4pm and learning to walk on snow and ice. It has also included walking across a frozen lake and making snow angels, skating at the Old Port with fireworks, watching lots of hockey, and sledding and skating in Parc Lafontaine.
Dave has taken to the hockey atmosphere of Montreal quite well (Go Habs Go!). Unfortunately for us, my source of cheap Habs tickets dissappeared, so no games at the Bell Centre for us. Instead, we've enjoyed watching free hockey as the outdoor rinks go up all over the city.
We've also learned by observation the best ways to park your car in the snow ((the key is either an old car you play bumper cars with, or park at a 45° angle). We've partaken in the annual ritual of watching people try to dig their cars out. There's the even better ritual of running to the window whenever we hear tires spin in the snow, just to watch in amusement as some poor idiot with all-season tires or 2 wheel drive tries to get his car out of his parking spot. Or watching the delivery trucks get stuck on a patch of ice, a block from their destination, wheels squeeling as they fail to find anything to grip to.
There's currently an ad on TV that shows a woman bursting into tears when looking outside at 4:30pm only to see that it is pitch black outside. Then there's the ritual of getting dressed in the layers upon layers of clothing, trying to pick the pieces just right to be warm outside but not die of heat exhaustion inside. Then there's just the extreme cold. This winter has been off to a cold start.
"It's warmer when it snows...snow is a good thing", I told Dave. I was proven wrong when it snowed at -18°C (0°F).
I wanted Dave to experience a bit of the Montreal winter, as it leads to the party atmosphere of the city throughout the summer. If the winter is especially bad, the spring and summer explode with joy. And while it's great to experience the joy, the contrast puts it into perspective. The city doesn't die down in the winter...they just head indoors and underground.
But this winter has been my first one in 2 years (the rainy New York winter doesn't count). So when Dave bought a car and said we're escaping, I helped him learn that one must brave the snowstorm to dig out the car. Otherwise there is just too much snow in the morning to shovel off.
Shortly, we will leave the snow. He's had enough of the cold and the white stuff; in fact I think he will start swearing in Québeçois soon if we don't leave.
So it's Florida or Bust!!
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