We came back to Canada just in time to take a peek at Winterlude 2011, our yearly winter festival. This was Winterlude’s last weekend and even though some ice sculptures partially melted because of a warmer weather spell last week, the crowd was here.

It was around – 10°C and we had to dress warm just to be able to stand outside for a while. My poor camera had quite a temperature shock after being dragged around in warmer countries—I thought it would freeze! And let me tell you that taking pictures when it’s that cold isn’t easy: either you take off the gloves and risk frostbites, either you keep the mittens on and feel like a monkey trying to press on the right button.

We hung out at Confederation Park for a little while, and then went for a walk on the Canal. People in Ottawa take pride in their ability to withstand the blistering cold winters and it amused me to see people eating poutine, hot dogs and beavertails on the picnic tables outside.

As usual, I ended up with melted maple toffee all over my fingers but it was good fun.

Hockey Player
Year of the Rabbit
The Snowman
Freedom
Peering Into The Fish Bowl
Canadians, Eating Outside by -10C
Snow Angel
Sir, Yes, Sir!
Er… Duh!
Carving Wood
Warming Up
Maple Toffee
Making Maple Toffee
Yes, I’m Cold
Learning to Skate
Give Me Your Hand

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13 Comments

  1. Linguist-in-Waiting February 21, 2011 at 11:24 am

    What is that maple toffee? They pour maple toffee liquid on ice and it solidifies? If that’s how it is made, awesome! I should try that one of these days…

    Reply
  2. Nui February 21, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    I was at the confederation park on Sunday before the crowd started. Didn’t see you though! 😉 I like the way you describe about taking pictures in freezing cold. LOL! That is me, feeling like monkey most of the time. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Sharon February 21, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    This brings me so many memories. Thanks for the photos. I miss winterlude, the beavertails and the maple toffee, But not the -20-30 degrees is February.

    We are now in Brussels, around 0 Celsius in February. Everyone is complaining here that it is so cold, but it is not even close to what we experienced in Canada

    Sharon

    Reply
  4. expatraveler February 21, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Love the pic of you saying you are cold. Ah yes a warm jacket like that with gloves, something we rarely wear out here! And I’ve heard so much about that maple.. Possibly one day we will visit in the cold there!

    Reply
  5. khengsiong February 21, 2011 at 11:39 pm

    Your camera can withstand the temperature?

    Reply
  6. kyh February 22, 2011 at 4:33 am

    i like the fishbowl sculpture! nice!

    would like to try the maple toffee. looks good! 😉

    Reply
  7. shionge February 22, 2011 at 4:24 am

    Grrrrrrrr……after hot sunny weather here in Asia, you are all ‘wrapped’ now Zhu ;D

    Reply
  8. Sidney February 22, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Time flies…I remember last year’s post about this event !

    Reply
  9. micki February 22, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    Amazing! your camera has adjusted the temperature so well, and so do you! I like the Year of Rabbit ! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Yogi February 22, 2011 at 11:42 pm

    That is really cool that they go outside and enjoy themselves despite the cold. A lesson in there for all of us.

    I would sure like to try some of the maple toffee.

    Reply
  11. Zhu February 22, 2011 at 11:08 pm

    @Linguist-in-Waiting – It’s exactly that! It tastes great, kind of like a cold lollipop. Except it melts everywhere.

    @Nui – I didn’t see you either but again, I’m terrible at spotting people in the street!

    @Sharon – The temperature is brutal here, I know what you mean. I like the country though!

    @expatraveler – It’s not always that cold though, last week it was well above zero. But yes, it can get cold… very cold…

    @khengsiong – If I can, the camera can! Seriously, yes, it does. I don’t leave it out for too long though and the battery drains a lot in a cold but I have never had any problems otherwise.

    @shionge – Oh yeah! It seems so long ago now…

    @kyh – It’s really good but it would melt in Butterworth 😉

    @Sidney – I know! I can’t believe a year went by already.

    @micki – Me too, it was cute.

    Reply
  12. Priyank February 23, 2011 at 7:08 am

    Hi Zhu!! I love that maple syrup candy! I had it in a “Cabane à sucre” 🙂

    Reply
  13. Cynthia February 23, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    I want tire d’érable ! It’s been such a long time 🙂

    Reply

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