The aftermath of Snow

This year was my first white Christmas!! All is beautiful when it snows; white, fluffy, gentle and calm… even the crazy taxi drivers slow down (not necessarily to enjoy the scenery, but more so out of fear of slipping) and people walk around at a slower pace (who would’ve thought asians could actually walk slow?). The first few times it snowed, I think I went somewhat insane. I jumped around in joy, I opened my mouth to catch the falling snow, I went around yelling “It’s snowing~~”, I took a million photos and danced around like an idiot……….but eventually, my enthusiasm and awe died down (about time!!)

And I realized that snow isn’t as pretty as I’d imagined it to be…

First, you can’t seem to see anything because it is so damn white. Nope, you can’t see steps, you can’t see slopes, you can’t see pedestrian crossings, you can’t see the hole in the ground….so walking down the street becomes an accident waiting to happen (or several, in my case). It’s a safe estimate to say I had a near-miss with every five steps I take.

Secondly, snow also happens to turn into slush and ice. Who would’ve known that the magical effects of snow fades when cars drive through it on roads turning it into a disgusting mess of slush? And that when we mere mortals try to cross the roads it becomes a challenge of literally walking on ice? So I’d say walking with my head held high may not be the best way after all.

And finally, when you wake up in the morning and go outside expecting everything to be pretty and white still….oh, that couldn’t be further from the truth. If it did not happen to snow overnight, then you end up surrounded by disgusting grey icy slush which isn’t quite snow, but you can’t quite see the ground either. It becomes a part snow, part ice, part mud, part black I-have-no-idea-what, part trash. So walking anywhere becomes an obstacle course in which you’d approach with caution and a frown of disgust.