snow for a day

We've finally seen snow in Milan. But like a certain someone who headed home yesterday, the snow has already said its sad goodbyes.

Our Italian friends had warned us that snow in Milan isn't a good thing but rather a messy, slushy, grey disaster. We didn't want to believe them.

And when the snow came it was beautiful, little white flakes dancing in the air, landing on our scarves, giving us the winter we'd hoped for but never had in Milan.



But after a day+ of snow came the rain. And that's when the city went from winter wonderland to that messy, slushy stuff our friends had described.

As far as I know, the city of Milan has never compared itself to Chicago in the snow-cleanup department, and maybe we shouldn't either, but let's just say that Milan could learn a thing or two from Chicago about what to do to its sidewalks and park paths after it snows.

Milan's current standard operating procedure after a snowfall is: do nothing. The procedure after the rain comes is: see above.

So the snow and the following rains gave any area that was not attended to by a shop-owner or a building custodian the consistency of a Slurpie. Make that two inches of Slurpie that want so very, very much to become one with your socks and shoes.



If we were true Milanese, we'd put on our pink slacks ("Punch Pants!"), pick up an umbrella, and head to work. Or we'd take a broom and start brushing snow into the street sideways.

But we're not Milanese. So instead of begrudging the snow or wearing pink pants to show winter who's really boss, we took out our camera and made sure that the only snow we've ever seen in Milan lasts longer than 24 hours somewhere - even if that's just in our photos.

delayed arrival

"Delayed arrival" is a brand new concept for me. But I am a rule follower at heart and I will follow the rules as laid before me: I will not arrive at work early; I will not arrive at work on time. I will arrive by as much as, but not more than, two hours late.

Mind you, this is not the snow that the Midwest is facing. DC has, let's say, the icing on a cinnamon roll whereas Chicago found itself beneath the filling in a Twinkie. (And I bet they all had to get to work on time.)

It's further proof that DC is both flustered and appalled by snow. Because there is snow on the ground I may, officially, come in late. And the kids... the kids don't have to go to school at all! Schools are closed and there's not even enough snow to make a snowman. All these kids are going to do is get hopped up on hot chocolate and knock things off the Christmas Tree. And maybe find where the presents are hidden. Good times.

it might be december

Let me be the first to tell you... there's snow in DC. Some of you may already know as it apparently deserves front page coverage. All area after school activities are cancelled. And there's been a run on milk and chili.

Not to be mean but come on people. Nothing is sticking. There is zero accumulation on the streets. An umbrella will do to defend against these gentle flakes. When we Chicago'ans heard a snow forecast we were expecting the real deal. Drifts you have to power through. Windy whirls that coat the bottom half of your legs with powder well before you ever get to work. That grey slush at the side of the roads. But this?

Rest assured, the powers that be brought out the snow plows. At least those make it feel like December.