We returned from our London trip in early January to beautiful, relatively warm weather - upper 30s. Within a few days, however, a snow storm came in. Temperatures dropped a bit and beautiful fat snowflakes began to fall. This is what I had been waiting for!
It was so invigorating. I couldn't wait to get outside to walk in the snow, hearing the crunch of my boots. And the kids at school - pure joy!
We had some beautiful days to enjoy the snow, and then we got hit with another snowstorm. While the first snow was fairly dry, this one was wet. I wish I'd had my camera out sooner because families poured out of the apartments to make snowmen. At school families made igloos.
View from our apartment
The last one standing! He was cuter the day before.
The third week in January the temperatures began to drop. We watched the temperatures closely because we walk to school in the morning. The first time it dropped below 0F I bundled up with a scarf over my face and a hat pulled down to my eyes. By the time I got to school, all my hot air had built icicles on my eyelashes. These promptly melted as I walked into the warm building. So much for my makeup on that day! I learned to deal with the frozen cheeks and chin for vanity's sake!
Last weekend Angela and I attended a youth retreat hosted by our church, ICA. I went as a parent helper. We traveled over 100 km north of Kiev, near the border of the restricted Chernobyl area to a beautiful Christian camp. We traveled up there in the snow. We watched it snow all day long. We woke up on Sunday morning to at least 8" of new snow. The question on everyone's minds was "how are we getting out of here?" Well, we ended up hiking 1/2 mile in the snow with our bags to meet up with the buses who drove on an unplowed country road. How they made it and how we got out of there is a testament to their driving skills.
Village root cellar
100-year old log home
Hoofing it out
Unplowed country road
The weather has stayed fairly frigid now for over two weeks. It has killed a lot of people across Eastern Europe. Tonight the temp will dip to -20F. It is dangerous weather. However, Ken, Angela and I are well prepared. We bought good boots, gloves, and jackets. We've also become more accustomed to the cold. Our apartment and the school are warm, and, fortunately, not unbearably so. We haven't lost heat yet, just hot water. However, that was back relatively quickly.
I enjoy this cold. It's new for us. I love the crispness of the air and the beautiful white of the snow. It hides the imperfections of a grey and dirty city. We had been told that the Ukrainians hardly plow the streets. That seems fairly true for the small side streets. However, there are many people who get out with their shovels and clean off the sidewalks. Even so, the walking is treacherous - now especially with the constant freezing. We purchased some Yak Traks (wires for the bottom of the shoes) to make walking less hazardous.
Ken and I have been able to keep up with our outdoor running, but not quite the distance I wish. After about 30 minutes my teeth begin to ache and my leg muscles begin to shake. So, it would be helpful if it warmed up about 10-20 degrees.
I am thankful that we've been able to experience this "Siberian" type winter. It will sure make us appreciate spring (whenever that comes!).
