Some of you may be asking, "Do they HAVE winter in Los Angeles?" Good question. I'm learning it comes in the form of a "rainy season." I thought I'd share some fun cultural differences for this Alaskan transplant in So Cal this winter.
Last week Monday they closed I-5 at our exit due to snow about 10 miles north. We live in Castaic a small town trucker stop. I happened to be driving home about 10 p.m. that night from a women's guest speaker deal at a friend's house. By that time there were 18 wheelers parked all along the shoulder of I-5 for about 5-7 miles down from our exit. It was NUTS! When I got off on my exit (the last exit open) there were hundreds of 18 wheelers parked EVERYWHERE. It was something out of a movie. Trucks were parked facing each other in all directions in the MIDDLE of the road! I could barely drive into our apartment parking lot. The next morning I got out just before they re-opened the highway and 200 + 18 wheelers made a mass exodus out of Castaic. Winter in Southern California.
A couple days later at work a co-worker came up to me in the lounge to show me a picture his son from San Fran emailed his I-phone. He was so excited to show me this picture saying, "Check out what my son emailed me this morning from San Fransico!" The look of surprise and confusion on my face caused him to respond, "I know, crazy! It was 40 degrees this morning in San Fran. Can you imagine?" My look of surprise and confusion came from processing that the temperature in his son's car said 40 degrees ABOVE zero and I wondered, "Is that cold?" I just nodded and said, "Wow!" Not for the reasons he thought I was saying wow. Winter in Southern California.
Another difference is the rain. The pull out snow plows, no lie, to "plow" the water on some parts of the interstates and highways so roads are not too slippery. Plow water?? Really? Hmmmm, and they are experiencing a deficit in the state budget? I can't imagine. Recess is indoor as well as lunch. All activities are outdoor in CA b/c 99% of school days are . . . sunny. Kids are wearing down coats and boots to school now. The funny part is by 3:00 p.m. when school gets out it is 60-70 degrees most days. I remember having outdoor recess in elementary school unless it was 10 below. If is was 9 below we went out, no if's, an's or but's about it! Winter in Southern California.
The sad part of it all? I've adjusted to southern weather being out of AK 3 years now (part of my time in South Carolina). The rainy days here DO feel cold to me and I even used my umbrella this weekend when it was sprinkling! I used to go running in shorts and a T-shirt in 50 degree rain in AK! I'm going to be in for a rude awakening next winter when we're back in Alaska!!
6 comments:
Yeah, it certainly doesn't take long for your body to adjust to different climates! Thanks for the stories today, it makes me feel tough that I am living in a place where the high tomorrow is going to be 6. Most of the time I just think I'm crazy living in MN though! :-)
your post made me laugh:) i, too, have adjusted to warmer weather and so when it's cold ( not cold by PA standards) here, i get cold- haha! plowing water, eh? wow! remember when you thought you were going to die our first semester because it was SO hot? you'll adjust again:)
i enjoy reading your blog from time to time. blessings friend!
they close the interstate?! what really seems more dangerous?- driving through some snowflakes or 200 angry truckers? this post was funny, sweet friend... even if you are more so cal than Alaskan next winter, I can't wait to have you here.
Sarah
You forgot about our "Storm Watches" when the radar show a cloud in the sky. Or the rushing water running though a gutter (like it should be doing) on the 4:00 news.
Sad to say I'm looking for a jacket when it it low 70s outside!!
Thanks for that great post. I am always interested in hearing about how other states are different compared to MN. It's below zero here now--would probably send some of those California people into shock!
hi, ur blog is good & i think you have spend a lot of efforts to make it eyecatching and interesting, it will scale new hieghts if u choose blogerzoom.com for advertising and marketing.They are offering very unique features with cheap prices. the team of blogerzoom will promote ur blog through all over the network , all u have to do is pay more or less and rest leave it to blogerzoom advertising team to promote ur blog in every network. and see how u enjoy a lot while blogging. bcoz no will provide this kind of platform to the bloggers.
Post a Comment