This is a non-finance blog.
December always brings winter to my mind, a season that holds a special place in my heart. To share this sentiment, I have drawn the following excerpts from my personal diary.
It was April 1996, when I arrived in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the USA for a job opportunity. The next morning I woke up to a bright day with sunlight shimmering on green grass dotted with melting snow making the surrounding look really beautiful. The winter was getting over and I could feel the onset of spring. As I walked across the road to reach my office, I could fill the crisp chill in the air. Moving from India’s hot equatorial climate to a snowy cold Minneapolis was an exciting experience.
Minnesota, one of the northern most states in the USA near the Canadian border is known for extended winters which sometimes stretches from November to March. It is also one of the snowiest states, with a significant portion of the state budget dedicated to de-icing and clearing roads during the winter.
My first experience with the snow was unforgettable. I was driving home from a distant grocery store on the freeway when it began to snow. By the time I was halfway to my home, the snow fall had intensified. I was little worried and tried to drive faster to reach home quickly. However, my car lost traction, spun 180 degrees, and ended up facing oncoming traffic. Thankfully, a timely intervention from the cop ensured my safety. That incident taught me an essential winter driving lesson: drive cautiously during snowfall.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the “Centennial Lake” on the next street freezes during winter, and the park transforms it into an ice-skating rink. I joined a few friends to explore the lake and ended up trying ice skating. The first few days of learning was challenging as I kept falling and ended up with a sore back. However, I soon picked it up and started enjoying the sport. I would occasionally go to the Buck Hill in Burnsville for skiing over the weekend during the winter but skiing on a steep downhill slope was not my cup of tea.
One winter evening, my car tyre punctured in freezing temperatures. The cold was biting, and my breath nearly froze. Unable to change the tyre myself, I called my friend, and together we braved the cold to fix it. In Minnesota, it is wise to carry a blanket and chocolates in the car as a precaution against getting stranded.
Winter nights in Minneapolis are typically frigid and eerily quiet, with most people staying indoors, enjoying the warmth of gas-heated homes. On clear, snowy nights, the full moon casts a magical glow as snow reflects its light, creating picture-perfect scenes for winter lovers.
One winter night, we were craving for good tasty Indian food but wanted a change from our usual haunts. We drove down south to a restaurant called “Chapati” in downtown Northfield. The ambience of the restaurant was cozy. The Food was delicious and the service impeccable. The whole experience of driving to a farther quiet place in a winter starry night for a mouth-watering meal was a memorable experience.
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival, held in the twin city of Minneapolis, is a must-see event. Rice Park showcases intricately carved beautiful ice sculptures and displayed outdoors. The sub-zero temperature never deterred us from visiting the carnival. However, finding parking near the venue was always a challenge, often resulting in long, chilly walks.
The Holidazzle Parade is an annual event to celebrate the holiday and runs over all weekends for almost a month leading to Christmas. The parade is organized at Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. It includes many colourful floats with sparkling lights decorations designed around holidays themes specifically meant for kids. This was a must-visit event for our kids.
The experience of living in Minneapolis in the month of December is unbeatable. The whole environment is very festive with people in celebratory holiday mood. Every place including government buildings, shops and malls are decorated with Christmas lights. People slow down and work takes a back seat. Family and friends come to the fore. Love, care and giving become priority.
Well, there is so much to share. I will save some of the notes from my diary for my next reflection post. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Disclaimer
The writer occasionally writes about topics that are not related to personal finance and are a reflection of his own experience.
The writer is a SEBI Registered Adviser and Founder of FinMyn (https://finmyn.com). He provides Fee-Only Financial Planning and Investment Advisory services.
He has advised many clients in India, the US, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe and Australia.
To know more about him, click on https://finmyn.com/about/.