You’d see Ottawa today, you wouldn’t believe it’s the same city that was stuck in winter weather just a week ago. After my rant last Friday about the awful weather, things got suddenly much better. The day after was chilly but nice, the Sunday was gorgeous—I started the day wearing my winter jacket but by 5 p.m., I had stripped to my t-shirt and sandals. By Monday, you could see people wearing shorts, kids playing outside and restaurants setting up outdoor seating.

And it wasn’t just us Canadians being delusional—it was actually warm, up to 20 °C.

I think I can start dropping Mark off at daycare without a snowsuit and not risk frostbite and the ire of his teachers.

The snow melted incredibly fast, in a matter of days, and I declared the playground “open.” Yes, for the past few months, it’s been “closed” because I’m missing the Canadian gene that prevents me from freezing while Mark digs his way through the snow to the slides and swings.

As usual, spring wasn’t a season but merely a quick transition. It’s still chilly and it will take me a little while to switch to summer clothes, but I think we can forget about snow for a little bit. A few months, at least. … Please?

Pine Cones
Pine Cones
No Snow!
No Snow!
The Forest
The Forest
Green and Blue
Green and Blue
First Buds
First Buds
Planting Flowers Already
Planting Flowers Already
Early Bloomer
Early Bloomer
Soil on Sale
Soil on Sale
Blue Sky
Blue Sky
Sure Sign of Spring: People Switching to Ice Coffee
Sure Sign of Spring: People Switching to Ice Coffee

Get the latest story, cultural shock and travel pictures right in your inbox

I don't spam, promise.

I literally don't have the time to write ten stories a day.

Visited 31 times, 1 visit(s) today

30 Comments

  1. Isa April 20, 2015 at 8:33 am

    Ce qui permet à vous autres Canadiens de survivre à ces hivers, c’est le fait d’avoir une mémoire à courte durée. Vous oubliez vite ! 😀
    Blague à part, l’arrivée du printemps à Montréal avait été l’une des plus belles sensations de ma vie !

    Reply
    1. Isa April 20, 2015 at 8:33 am

      Ah bin apparemment je suis en mode français, j’ai oublié de parler anglais. Sorry!

      Reply
      1. Zhu April 20, 2015 at 7:53 pm

        Ben never mind, you spoke comme une montréalaise 😆

        Reply
          1. Zhu April 21, 2015 at 1:03 pm

            Je ne m’en lasse pas non plus 😆

  2. I Say Oui April 20, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    When I first saw the title of this post, I thought it was sarcastic. Nope, you’re serious! I’m happy for you.

    Reply
    1. Zhu April 20, 2015 at 7:53 pm

      … and today it’s cold and rainy. Jinxed it 🙁

      Reply
  3. Martin Penwald April 20, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    There was a little bit of snow this morning when I Ieft Cheyenne.

    Reply
    1. Zhu April 21, 2015 at 1:00 pm

      Like, on the ground or falling from the sky? It’s been chilly and windy since Sunday in Ottawa.

      Reply
  4. Gagan April 20, 2015 at 11:55 pm

    Alors, finalement!

    Il arrive que vous attendez 🙂 Les photos sont bons aussi.

    Reply
    1. Zhu April 21, 2015 at 1:01 pm

      Here is a French saying (proverbe) for you: Après la pluie, le beau temps 🙂 It is not meant to be taken literally, it means that after tough times, there are often good times ahead 🙂

      Reply
      1. Gagan April 21, 2015 at 11:51 pm

        “Après la pluie, le beau temps”

        Merci beacoup! C’est bon proverbe 🙂 Je le partage avec mon groupe qui apprend le Francais. Merci encore 🙂

        Excusez-moi pour les fautes

        Reply
        1. Zhu April 22, 2015 at 1:35 pm

          Il ne faut jamais s’excuser pour les fautes 🙂 First, your French is pretty good, second you get a free pass for learning a such a complex language!

          Reply
          1. Gagan April 22, 2015 at 11:49 pm

            Je comprends et merci beacoup pour le <> 🙂

          2. Gagan April 22, 2015 at 11:54 pm

            J’ai voulu dire merci beacoup pour le “free pass”. J’ai ecrit avec < > sans espace et puis les mots entre ont disparu

  5. Jeruen April 21, 2015 at 1:00 am

    Finally, there’s warm weather! Here the temperatures are also climbing up, and the trees finally have green on them. I am happy that this winter is finally over for you!

    Reply
    1. Zhu April 21, 2015 at 1:03 pm

      … The only issue is that I had forgotten that “spring” is also “pouring rain” season. It’s been raining for a few days now!

      Reply
  6. La Madame April 21, 2015 at 6:14 am

    Ah oui ça a bien changé en 1 semaine! 🙂 Le printemps arrive pour vous après un hiver interminable! 😉

    Bientôt les tulipes seront ouvertes et la Reine viendra vous faire babaille! 😀

    Gros bisous Zhu et profites bien de ton printemps! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Zhu April 21, 2015 at 1:03 pm

      Nan, la reine ne se déplace plus je pense… on aura les tulipes avant elle, elle fait du babysitting ces temps-ci!

      Reply
      1. La Madame April 22, 2015 at 1:00 am

        Ah ben voilà, tout fout l’camp! 😉

        Reply
        1. Zhu April 22, 2015 at 1:36 pm

          I was sad to see it go away, though…!

          Reply
  7. Lexie April 21, 2015 at 3:42 pm

    Oui c’est incroyable! Nous avons passé le dimanche dans le jardin, Billie ne voulait plus rentrer, elle aurait bien dormi dans l’abri 🙂

    Reply
    1. Zhu April 21, 2015 at 7:38 pm

      Pareil ici! Mais depuis dimanche, il fait froid et il pleut. J’espère que vous allez éviter les averses à Montréal… c’est des trombes d’eau ici!

      Reply
  8. petite yaye April 21, 2015 at 3:59 pm

    Enfin !!! On est content pour vous 🙂

    Reply
    1. Zhu April 21, 2015 at 7:38 pm

      Vieux motard que jamais 🙂

      Reply
  9. Bee Ean April 22, 2015 at 10:50 am

    I was in Paris last week and it was hot, around 25°C.
    So I thought summer is here and got out the girls summer clothes, packed them in suitcases as the girls were going to their grandparents. But when I arrived in Bretagne, the temperature dropped and it was chilly , and my in laws told me to not trust the weather the day I pack. Bref, I don’t know how to pack in this weather, it could be sunny in the morning and chilly in the evening.

    Reply
    1. Zhu April 22, 2015 at 1:44 pm

      Like the French say, en avril, ne te découvre pas d’un fil!

      Reply
  10. Christiane April 27, 2015 at 11:44 am

    Hmmm the weather was soo good! We took the baby for long walks without too much layers and he was so happy !

    Reply
    1. Zhu April 27, 2015 at 10:36 pm

      Too bad it only lasted a week 😆

      Reply

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *