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Moscow: A Walking Method for Winter

Even before I came to live in England I was told that in winter the entire country would lose its nerve. “We’re too soft, we Brits“, someone told me. “We cannot live under the snow“.

The first time I heard this was in 2000, and already by 2004 I had been able to see that this was indeed so. Not unlike Russia, there were streets in Greater Manchester that were so sloppy that you probably wouldn’t manage walking or driving up and down even in good weather, never mind in the terrifying mix of snow, ice, and frost.

Eventually, in January 2010 the temperature dropped to minus 17 in Manchester, and one day there was so much snow that the entire city was indeed disabled: no buses left the terminals.

In Moscow where the temperature dropped to minus 27 in February 2011, and where we had a lot of snow (to celebrate my homecoming, no less), people merely brace themselves when they listen to the weather forecast. Then they clean their coats made of fur or sheepskin, get out an extra pair of socks, a thick hat (possibly the famous ushanka), and a good pair of gloves. It is normal to be cabbage-like in winter, to wear many layers, but as long as you can move and speak, it’s OK. Needless to say, buses drive as usual.

But then you also need to walk, so how can you walk safely and securely, without also compromising on the image people see? It wouldn’t be nice or comfortable to always balance with your arms and body, would it?

We owe the tip illustrated by this photo to an unknown Russian lady behind whom I happened to walk earlier this year, when it was cold and snowy in Moscow (as always in winter). You don’t need any fancy walking sticks or crutches. All you need is a pair of skiing sticks. And given how much Russian people love winter sports, it’s great to use the skiing sticks even when you’re not skiing.

Now that the summer is just around the corner, and it’s already getting very hot (yes, it may go up to plus 38 in the shade), I will keep my eyes peeled for tips on walking in the blazing sun.

Author: Julia Shuvalova

Julia Shuvalova is the author of Los Cuadernos de Julia blog. She is an author of several books, a translator, and a Foreign Languages tutor. She lives and works in Moscow, Russia.

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