We Interrupt the Thailand Blogs.....

Sorry I had to pause the warm weather blogs but this is what has been going on the past couple of days here and is worth noting. Although it has snowed in Suwon since I have been a resident of Korea, this is the first time I have actually been in the country when the white stuff covers the ground.
As with most things here in SoKo, They respond to snowy weather in a different way than we do back in the states. Some of it confounds me and some of it I just have already learned to take in stride. For my Idaho friends, this is perfect packing snow. You know, the good stuff where you can make snowman that last forever and can
 peg a friend with a snowball from pretty long distance. However, it gets nasty

and icy in a real hurry when walking anywhere in it. My first lesson was that Ugg boots, although warm and trendy, are NOT snow boots with traction in any way in Korea. With help from my friend, I didn't kill myself walking home the other night. I am now resorting to my hiking boots to walk to work. Even though I could catch the shuttle for teachers, I am a creature of habit at times. It is definitely cold here. Down in the single digits this week but the wind will knock the breath out of you. Frostbite is a definite possibility here. This morning my breath was crystalized all over my scarf and it will be colder tomorrow.
I do have to commend Korean drivers though. Even though I still don't trust them for a minute when crossing the street, they still go slow and are pretty careful on the roads. That is new and rather impressive to me. Where I get confused is how they deal with the snow on walkways. First, lets just remember the fact that this is a pedestrian society. So why don't they shovel the sidewalks???? AT ALL???? They shovel the edges of the sidewalks I think for two reasons. One is to show that you are about to take a leap of faith into the streets of Korea. The second reason is that it is usually stonework and is the slickest part to dare to walk on. So sure, clean it off so it can ice over. What an awesome idea! (insert sarcasm) All I know is that the winter may be beautiful but you can't always take the scenery in when trying to walk in it. Now when I go to school I feel like Randy on A Christmas Story. I have the biggest coat I own on, my Made in Korea knit hat, and at least one scarf. Maybe "I can't put my arms down" as he says in the movie but at least I have some extra padding for the day I finally slip and fall. It's going to happen. It is only a matter of time. . .