Walking in a Winter Wonderland

London has been experiencing some Canadian weather recently.

It all started Sunday, when it was colder than usual, and there were flurries on an off throughout the day. Later in the evening though, it actually started to snow heavily, and accumulate on the ground. Holly and I went to one of our pubs near by for a drink and the whole walk over Holly was going on and on about how beautiful the snow was, and was so amazed that it was actually staying on the ground. I, however, wasn't phased by the white stuff. I grew up in Southern Ontario. We have snowfalls like this in late October. Snow falls. Stays on the ground. And is generally annoying.

In Holly's defense though, it was that really pretty 'snow globe' snow that fell, when the flakes are really big, and since it wasn't windy it appeared to be falling really slowly.  Once at the pub, it was interesting to watch people staring out the windows with these looks of amazement on their faces, heading outside to take pictures of the snow and also taking pictures of friends as they came in to the pub with snow on their coats/hats etc.

Our conversation at the pub was centered around snow. Holly asking what kind of coats you wear to keep warm in Canada (for the record, the 'winter coats' here in London are fall coats back home), what kind of footwear you have to wear so your feet stay warm and dry and so you don't slip. It was an interesting experience having to explain things that are such a standard part of life in Ontario. I was telling Holly that snow on it's own is fine - it's just when it's bad enough to affect what you need to do is when it's annoying.  Like being storm stayed somewhere because of a snow storm, or having to drive through really yucky weather or having to shovel driveways/sidewalks again and again and again. 

But there has to be some good things about snow too, right? Of course. Skiing, skating, snowball fights, snow forts, tobogganing and of course building snow men.  This got us/me on the topic of snow days - probably one of the best things about winter weather as a kid. I explained that when it's bad enough that school is cancelled and the school buses aren't running, because it's not safe to get to school. Snow day!

Monday morning. Holly wakes me up. "Heather. It's been snowing all night. I mean ALL night." I think - 'Ok, whatever.' I look outside. There is about 5cm on the ground. Still snowing lightly. No biggie. Holly carries on "The buses aren't running, and the Jubilee line is suspended. How are we going to get to school?!" I'm still half asleep, and can't imagine that all of the buses in the City of London are not running because of a bit of snow. I check online, Holly calls the Head Teacher at our school. The website confirms Holly's claim. "Due to adverse weather conditions, all bus routes have been suspended until further notice" Almost all tube lines have sections suspended, and major delays. Holly gets off the phone with the Head Teacher, and tells me we don't have to go in. Snow day! In London!!

I go out later in the day, and everyone is outside, loving life. There are snow men everywhere. Snowball fights break out amongst strangers in the street.  People are taking pictures and videos of the snow.  The Deputy Head Teacher calls, and informs that school is closed Tuesday as well. This decision is made at about 9:30am Monday morning. Two snow days - fantastic. Two days without pay - not so fantastic.

As much as I understand that London is not equipped to deal with snow, it still is crazy to me, that about 10cm of snow is enough to bring such a gigantic city to a grinding halt. For two days, apparently.