On The Rink, Ottawa, February 2012

Everybody knows that Canadians can be passionate about things the rest of the world doesn’t care much about, such as Tim Hortons’ coffee, the weather or hockey. But at least, we don’t complain too much about the cold—or if we do, it’s because it’s really cold.

Ironically, it’s almost warmer than in Europe right now, even though some days are quite chilly with temperatures dipping below – 10°C (see, I’m being Canadian, talking about the weather!). This doesn’t mean that people stay home: with Winterlude underway and Hockey Day in Canada coming up soon, I’ve seen a lot of folks on the ice or around ice sculptures this week.

There is a little park in our neighbourhood, and every year the community puts up a homemade outdoor ice skating rink, also used for hockey practice by the kids. I snapped this picture when walking back from the supermarket, as a teen was lacing up his skates before hitting the ice.

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12 Comments

    1. Zhu February 11, 2012 at 11:23 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  1. Elisabeth Stewart February 10, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    Ah, memories of childhood… I remember skating at the local rink for so long my feet were just about frozen – and crying in pain once my skates were off and my feet began to “thaw.” And I always went right back to the rink the next day!

    We Canadians are hearty souls – or crazy!

    Reply
    1. Zhu February 11, 2012 at 11:23 pm

      I hear you! I hate taking a shower right after being outside because it’s so painful when your feet are frozen!

      Reply
  2. Tulsa Gentleman February 11, 2012 at 12:35 am

    This is a very different landscape than what you were posting a week ago. I have to admit that I have never worn a pair of ice skates. Roller skates yes, ice skates no.

    Reply
    1. Zhu February 11, 2012 at 11:23 pm

      No skating rink in Tulsa?

      Reply
  3. barbara February 12, 2012 at 3:11 am

    Hi Zhu,

    I love this 🙂
    A quiet moment on the rink. Those colorful goals in the middle are a great focal point, too.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    1. Zhu February 13, 2012 at 9:54 pm

      Thank you! Glad you liked the shot.

      Reply
  4. Alexander February 13, 2012 at 11:20 am

    However, you still have a lot of ice and snow. Time for some fun.

    Alexander

    Reply
    1. Zhu February 13, 2012 at 9:54 pm

      Oh, there will be ice and snow for a while!

      Reply
  5. Tony H. February 13, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    You can never be truly Canadian while you say “ice skating”, or worse, “ice hockey”. 🙂 I mean, even “skating rink” is a little doubtful…

    It’s like ordering “tea”. In Canada you will get hot tea without being asked, in the southern USA you will get iced tea without being asked, and somewhere in between you will get asked if you want hot or iced.

    Reply
    1. Zhu February 13, 2012 at 9:56 pm

      I get your point and I agree from a Canadian perspective, but a lot of readers are from much warmer countries, so for clarity sake, I have to precise 😉

      Reply

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