Снег идёт в Вашингтоне!

[peacetraveler22]

The first snowflakes of the season are falling! My Russian friend arrived from Moscow on Sunday and since then cold, icy and snowy weather. It's great! Today I awoke to notification that my office and the Federal government are closed due to inclement weather. I looked out my window and saw some snowflakes but the roads are completely clear. This is Washington, DC! I'm a good girl and decided to go to the office anyway and captured this scene on the way with my iPhone. Plows on the road, but nothing to scrape. Danger - they might ruin our beautiful asphalt in the process!

The Russian is completely amazed at the closures. In my area, there's immediate panic in any type of snow because it's rare here and people don't know how to drive in such conditions. In order to avoid accidents and road back-ups, the Feds let us stay home. :) People from Minnesota and New England States like Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, where large snowfalls are common, think we are crazy. How did I know work was closed?

We receive instant notification via text message and also a telephone call with a voice mail recording informing of the closure. I explained before that in America everything is done with a lot of detail. Signs everywhere, long explanations about potential dangers on roads, construction sites, amusement park rides, high tides at the ocean... I haven't noticed so many signs or warnings in any other country. The same is true in business relations. Everything explained in detail so there's no confusion.

You can even track the location of snow plows in the area in which I live. Simply go to this site, and look at the interactive map. Your mind will be put at ease when you learn the plow is on its way to save the day!

Can you imagine such nonsense in Russia? Businesses, schools and work closed over a few snowflakes? Your country would be shut down for the entire winter! If Putin really wants to conquer Washington, DC there's a simple plan. Gather huge amounts of snow from Moscow, ship it here, and dump it on the streets of DC. The entire city will be paralyzed and the Russians will immediately capture the White House and rule the city. :))

On an unrelated note, many thanks to the loyal readers who nominated me for the "Top 100 Interesting Blogs in 2013." I made the final list, but it's necessary to place your final vote before 25 December 2013. You can vote here. Nominees are in alphabetical order, so I'm easy to find. If you enjoy the content of my blog, please take a second to vote.

Tomorrow we're off to Tennessee! Soon, interesting stories from this State.

Comments

[fareastener.livejournal.com]

This guy arrived at you, but he brought blizzard at us. I hope to ask him - WHY???
Sakhalin Island is winced, updated reserves of vodka and wait a very bad weather on next two days.

[fareastener.livejournal.com]

>>Can you imagine such nonsense in Russia? Businesses, schools and work closed over a few snowflakes?

Dear, I can imagine it. We have very hard blizzards at feb and march.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, but life on Sakhalin Island carries on in such conditions! There are no closures and the city does not come to a stand still like in DC. It's great he brought the snow and cold weather. You know I love it! :) And tomorrow we head South where it will be much warmer.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

"
Gather huge amounts of snow from Moscow, ship it here, and dump it on the streets of DC.
"
Yes, very simple clima(c)tic weapon :))

Or just spray that substance, iodic silver or how it is called, in the skies so that all dispersed water condenses and falls.
This is routinely used around Moscow in days of important events to unload clouds before they reach the city.

I think that such areas are just not prepared for snow, you do not have winter tyres and some local roads are too steep (at least in Seattle) and cannot be used when it's slippery.

Poor Cathy, someone can call her and ask for assistance in making the weather better...

[fareastener.livejournal.com]

Nope. We have no closures and right now even my best food delivery is work, as I know.
So, I thought about your invitation, and I was very pleased... If US council in Vladivostok will give me a visa - I hope to meet you at Independence day, or (if my visa will be too long to process) - at Thanksgiving day. In 2014 of cource :)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Sure, come! I'll be happy to show you my local area but in summer Washington, DC is very hot and humid. Be prepared. I think Thanksgiving is a better time to visit. It's the end of autumn and fall foliage is beautiful.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Climatic attack! It's a brilliant war strategy. :) My car has no winter tires. It's not necessary, but they are extra bad because they're sports/performance tires and there's no traction. We had problems when we traveled in heavy snow last December in New England. We were forced to overnight in Massachusetts because driving conditions became too hazardous in my Audi. Regardless, it was a fun adventure and winter wonderland so I was happy. You can look here about New Hampshire, before you subscribed to my blog. http://peacetraveler22.livejournal.com/9017.html

[fareastener.livejournal.com]

I was born at south of Ukrain and not afraid a hot wheather. But I agreed with you - autumn is better.

Please, give my hello to Sasha. :) I envious him strongly.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I will tell him you said hello. :))

[fareastener.livejournal.com]

Вот всё у вас, американцев, неправильно. Our cars have all-season tires :)

[fareastener.livejournal.com]

Thanx, dear.

[onkel-hans.livejournal.com]

Some governors in New England ban all traffic in the time of snowfalls. The police are given the right to take away the licenses from the drivers caught on the roads.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

America - land of safety and caution! Sometimes on a ludicrous scale. Oh, I love New England winter. Beauty!

[onkel-hans.livejournal.com]

And your dicks are thicker than Richard's.

[fareastener.livejournal.com]

Онкель, химмельхеррготт твою в Бога в душу, Ханс... я тащемта тут несколько пошутил. Если есть готовность разжечь очередной срач - я кагбе не против, но не в журнале Шэннон. А если очень хочется погойворить за авторезину - тогда в кг_фгещ.

[onkel-hans.livejournal.com]

Talking about winter driving, it's more suitable to say Himmeldonnerwetter! ;)

I was just kidding. And for more safety, rubber is being replaced with Poliurethane!

[alex winter (from livejournal.com)]

зимней резины никто на этот случай не покупает?

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

People in Washington, DC don't usually have winter tires. They are not needed here, because it doesn't snow often. However, people in Minnesota and New England States usually have snow tires. In these regions, there's A LOT of snow.

[qi-tronic.livejournal.com]

Minnesota... probably the coldest place in the US, right?
My first American manager was from this state and that's why I know about Minnesota Gophers :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I think Alaska is the coldest, but Minnesota is in the top five. I went to this area as child, but don't really remember it.

[a-nimaida.livejournal.com]

Americans can now be able to understand the Russian people?))

[yarowind.livejournal.com]

>>My Russian friend arrived from Moscow on Sunday and since then cold, icy and snowy weather. It's great!

I think, Alex don't think so:))

>>You can vote here

no problem:)

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I didn't see many snow plows in Russia during my visit last February. The most amazing thing to me are the workers who use those sharp objects to break all the ice on sidewalks near restaurants! This must be the worst job on the planet. Seems like an ancient way to remove ice, and a very labor intensive job!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, he isn't happy but I am! :) Thanks for your vote.

[alsh4ka.livejournal.com]

Я в детстве не ходила в школу, если температура была ниже -26 градусов... Увы, на работу это правило не распространяется)))