The End of Winter in Moscow – 3/25/18

….I hope!

The calendar says we are in spring, but I still would say it is winter in Moscow. It snowed last Friday and there is still a good deal of snow piled up. As much as I have tried to enjoy the beauty of the snow, I am ready for spring. 

Here are a few hopeful signs of the changing of seasons: 

Puddles! At least the snow is disappearing.

The temperature went slightly above freezing so I switched over to a lighter jacket and winter wear.

I also saw many ice cream eaters. I remember being surprised by the numbers of Russians that eat ice cream when it is 50 degrees out. Apparently they start full force in the 30s. 

But before spring comes in full force I thought I would share a few more observations about winter here.

Winter Clothing

If you want to blend in with the Russian women you need to get yourself a fur coat and high heeled boots. I would say about 50% of women here wear a fur coat. The surprising part is the footwear they pair with it. Some will wear actual snow boots, which I actually found surprisingly hard to find at the mall. The majority wear dress boots with low heels or even spike heels. There are days that the sidewalks are covered in snow and ice and the ladies are still trekking around like that! I slip on the ice wearing snow boots. Some of the footwear I have seen looks like it would be a death sentence or at least a broken ankle.

Apologies that the quality is not very good, but I had to give proof of a women walking on a very slippery sidewalk with spike heels. You might just need to take my word for it, but I tried to provide photographic evidence!

A couple more fur coat and dress boot wearers.

Children wear a lot of clothes to go outside! I get my class dressed and undressed at least two times of day so I know what I am talking about here! Most of the children wear a full body snowsuit that come in so many different patterns. Some even have a cotton snowsuit or two piece fleece wear under their suit and on top of their clothing. They wear hats that pull down over their head with a hole for their face. After putting their hoods up some children have scarfs to wrap around their head and neck too. Of course they wear water proof boots and mittens that almost go up to their elbows.

Getting Around

To make up for a lack of sense in some women’s footwear, Russians are very clever on how they transport their babies and children. The strollers get put away and the sleds come out. They use all sorts of little sled vehicles to push and pull their charges about. They all have the convenient little hand warmer sleeves too. 

Here’s to looking forward to spring!