December is the season for family reunions. We grew up in the Philippines so all my relatives were excited to enjoy the winter season with us. We were all gearing up to go to Lake Tahoe for some snowboarding and skiing. Havent experienced it on the mountain slopes. A cabin of more than five rooms were already rented. Ski gears were already packed and serviced at REI (one of my favorite stores!) Suddenly, a storm hit California! And since the Americans were unfamiliar with natural disasters, highways were closed down. Their world has literally stopped. All broadcast news suggested that we STAY at home! (In Manila, any Filipino can face any disaster, sanay na e, kahit ilang castastrophe pa, tuloy ang ligaya!).
Our plans changed drastically and we just gathered at an aunt's resthouse in Roseville, Sacramento for the family get-together. But since we were determined to see snow in California, we pleaded with my aunt and uncle to drive us near a snow area for picture taking!
A bleakful sky...
Pure white...
Surreal weather...
Photos courtesy of Twin Sister :)
3 comments:
Here in DC too, people panic when we get "a little" snow. Schools shut down with warnings of just 2 inches of the white stuff, traffic is bumper to bumper even when it's not rush hour, there are accidents every few miles, and stores run out of salt and shovels within minutes. Even when the snow's not too bad, people react badly! My theory for this town is this - since DC is a melting pot, and there's a quick turnaround of a majority of the residents (diplomats, etc.), we get people who are simply not used to being in the situation. By the time they learn, it's time for them to leave! Domino effect pa naman yan...once may delay somewhere, tuloy-tuloy na. We had a relatively mild winter last year. This winter I want to see thick, white, glistening snow outside my window!
Well said, kng. i'm really amazed with how the different cultures handle disasters. mga pinoy, sanay sa hirap. in other countries, mag brownout lang, di na alam gagawin or kapag bumagyo, hindi na sila makakilos. funny kasi when i was in california, may "storm" daw, super panic mga puti. sus, ambon lang yung na-experience ko---storm na sa kanila! LOL. the best pa rin ang mga pinoy kasi mas maabilidad in times of crisis...
i like the last photo - dynamic!
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