So This is What Cold Really Feels Like

It finally got too cold even for the ducks

 
Yes, I have changed the title of the blog. I never really liked "Travels With Pam," so I thought about it and decided on "The Expat Life." My web address is now my name (it wouldn't let me use The Expat Life as my address), so bookmark pambilger.blogspot.com.

Crampons so I don't fall again

 

People back home keep asking me if the weather here in southwestern Finland is as bad as it is in Eastern Europe. Well, it definitely is cold here, but not nearly as bad as it is in Serbia. We have had below-zero temperatures all this week, but thankfully, it has been sunny. The forecast for next week is calling for temperatures in the 20s (Fahrenheit), so that is a real heat wave for February!

The icy sidewalks of Rauma

 

I have fallen two times on icy sidewalks here. It is not fun, let me tell you. And it's not as if I was walking carelessly. I probably walk slower on the ice than anyone else. But last Friday, I fell so fast I didn't even have time to brace myself. Needless to say, I am still in pain. I'm still going out for walks, but now I put metal crampons on the bottom of my shoes or boots. They are a pain to put on and take off, but hopefully, they will prevent more falls.

It is so cold that even the ducks have left. I walked downtown today, and the canal is completely iced over. There used to be a small patch of water for the ducks, but now that's gone. I don't know where the ducks went, but I'm sure they'll be back when it thaws. I'm kind of sad that they are gone.