Alone in Winter Wonderland
published in www.istorya.net
Snow. Not the styro ones. Real snow. For those of us who haven't experienced it, we long to have a white Christmas. Such is abundant in North America, particularly, Canada! When December strikes, expect those little rains of snow. But when we wish for these things, we never considered the below-zero temperature, the extra layers of clothing, that extra time you spend shoveling inches of snow, the extra effort you do when you drive so you won't accidentally slide off the road and that very painful thug in the heart that seems to partner with the cold weather.
Lito's story:
iSTORYA.NET Nick: CrasHBURN
Full Name: Lito Inso
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Tourist/Photographer
I have spent 2 succeeding Bers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, that was in September 2009 and December 2010. 2 years, same place, different experience.
In 2009, my wife and I spent our honeymoon there plus I got to cover my cousin’s wedding. This place was where I was so decided to migrate, with all the benefits the government could offer, the big opportunities my wife and I could do. I could imagine having my kids be educated here. It was the place of my dreams.
Before we decided to migrate though, we both agreed that I spend and contemplate returning to Canada for a few weeks alone as my wife needed to work at that time. I took the opportunity and went back. I even spent my birthday there. One of the most deciding factors that I have was the winter depression. I am an active person and I rarely get depressed. But when you are mostly alone in the middle of a below-zero temperature, the tears will just freely roll down your face no matter the façade of being strong.
In Cebu, when you get depressed, you just call your friends, ask them to meet you in Ayala or SM or just call them whenever you like. It is very different here. You need to schedule your time because most of your friends and loved ones are working. You cannot call your loved ones back at home because with the time zone difference, the time that you are awake is also their sleeping period back home. You just cannot drive out and go to malls because most malls close as early as 7pm and their malls are not as grand as what we have here. And you don’t want to go out because:
a. The time you spent dressing and undressing is so meticulous with the layers of clothing that it’s better you stay home instead. You also need to dry your hair first because if you don’t, it might get frozen. Gloves are necessary and earmuffs too, because you might get frostbite and your fingers and ears might fall off (literally!) if you forget these fashion must-haves!
b. Car doors get frozen so it is so difficult to get inside the car. Wipers get frozen too so when there is a snowstorm or even when there is snow, you get to wipe out ice from the windshield and mirrors.
c. Roads are so slippery accidents are higher during winter because of cars sliding off the road.
d. If you walk for 30minutes in the middle of winter, you would feel as if your face just had a stroke—when you smile, you don’t know that you are smiling! It’s as if all my facial nerves are dead!
e. Inches of snow that need to be shoveled off EVERY DAY is as good as a 2-hour cardio.
And the worst part is, when you are alone, in the middle of winter, all the jackets and coats in the world cannot heat the longing in your heart for that one single hug from your wife, or that forehead kiss from your mom, or that laughter you spend with friends and family. It is that sad.
I have decided not to migrate to Canada mainly because I have lots of responsibilities here in Cebu and also because, I can’t forget that feeling I had back then. With my experience, I look at OFWs in North America with much more respect and awe—for braving every year to be away from their family in order to have a better future. All the best, Canadian OFWs!
I am never much of a writer (actually, my wife wrote this, I just told her the story! Haha) So I am going to share my story the best way I know how—photography. Check out pictures in this article and the one before.
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| Manitoba winter.. 2010 |
Lito's story:
 |
| Manitoba winter 2010 |
Full Name: Lito Inso
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Tourist/Photographer
I have spent 2 succeeding Bers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, that was in September 2009 and December 2010. 2 years, same place, different experience.
In 2009, my wife and I spent our honeymoon there plus I got to cover my cousin’s wedding. This place was where I was so decided to migrate, with all the benefits the government could offer, the big opportunities my wife and I could do. I could imagine having my kids be educated here. It was the place of my dreams.
Before we decided to migrate though, we both agreed that I spend and contemplate returning to Canada for a few weeks alone as my wife needed to work at that time. I took the opportunity and went back. I even spent my birthday there. One of the most deciding factors that I have was the winter depression. I am an active person and I rarely get depressed. But when you are mostly alone in the middle of a below-zero temperature, the tears will just freely roll down your face no matter the façade of being strong.
In Cebu, when you get depressed, you just call your friends, ask them to meet you in Ayala or SM or just call them whenever you like. It is very different here. You need to schedule your time because most of your friends and loved ones are working. You cannot call your loved ones back at home because with the time zone difference, the time that you are awake is also their sleeping period back home. You just cannot drive out and go to malls because most malls close as early as 7pm and their malls are not as grand as what we have here. And you don’t want to go out because:
a. The time you spent dressing and undressing is so meticulous with the layers of clothing that it’s better you stay home instead. You also need to dry your hair first because if you don’t, it might get frozen. Gloves are necessary and earmuffs too, because you might get frostbite and your fingers and ears might fall off (literally!) if you forget these fashion must-haves!
b. Car doors get frozen so it is so difficult to get inside the car. Wipers get frozen too so when there is a snowstorm or even when there is snow, you get to wipe out ice from the windshield and mirrors.
c. Roads are so slippery accidents are higher during winter because of cars sliding off the road.
d. If you walk for 30minutes in the middle of winter, you would feel as if your face just had a stroke—when you smile, you don’t know that you are smiling! It’s as if all my facial nerves are dead!
e. Inches of snow that need to be shoveled off EVERY DAY is as good as a 2-hour cardio.
And the worst part is, when you are alone, in the middle of winter, all the jackets and coats in the world cannot heat the longing in your heart for that one single hug from your wife, or that forehead kiss from your mom, or that laughter you spend with friends and family. It is that sad.
I have decided not to migrate to Canada mainly because I have lots of responsibilities here in Cebu and also because, I can’t forget that feeling I had back then. With my experience, I look at OFWs in North America with much more respect and awe—for braving every year to be away from their family in order to have a better future. All the best, Canadian OFWs!
I am never much of a writer (actually, my wife wrote this, I just told her the story! Haha) So I am going to share my story the best way I know how—photography. Check out pictures in this article and the one before.
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| having fun at Forks-- fall of 2009 |
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| sad and alone. winter 2010 |
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| giddy-yapping with my wab! |
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| even the fake horses seem cold |
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| playhouse, fall 2009 |
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| dreary playhouse. winter 2010 |
