Rhonda
Eastern Shore Language Academy & Homestay Inc
www.easternshoreacademy.com
Rhonda@easternshoreacademy.com
It is winter here in Prince Edward Island, Canada and젨it is simply beautiful.젨Coming from Toronto I am used to winters of slush (wet, melting snow) and snow blackened by the city's air pollution and car exhaust so it was a real treat to find such white, pristine snow here.젨 I didn't know that there were so many fun winter activities until I moved here either.젨Most people in Toronto complained when it snowed because it made commuting to work more difficult, but here people make the most of the winter weather.젨They participate in a number of winter outdoor sports and activities such as skating, skiing, snow shoeing, and tobogganing..Almost everyone has a pair of skates.젨As soon as the ponds freeze over and temperatures sink below zero people are out on the ice.젨Some even make ice rinks in their backyards so that they don't have to wait for the deeper bodies of water to freeze to take advantage of the ice.젨With hockey being Canada's national sport, many kids are out there with their hockey sticks playing "shinny"an informal game of hockey without specific rules or any particular positions other than goalie. It is strictly for fun and exercise.젨 Kids in rural Canada are out on the ice as young as 3 years old.젨In fact I was a much better skater when I was four than I am now.젨Where I live in Prince Edward Island, there aren't many hills, in fact there aren't many on the island as a whole, so down hill skiing is not really an option.젨Luckily I prefer cross country skiing.젨It is a surreal experience.젨Leisurely skiing along the white country side and allowing your mind to drift amidst the field's dips and grooves is a wonderfully peaceful gift.젨It is also great exercise for your entire body.젨I felt muscles ache that I had forgotten existed.젨For those who prefer walking as a means of exercise it is still a possibility even in the winter.젨Following in the Canada's Native People's traditions there are snowshoes.젨You strap them onto to your boots to allow you to walk on top of the snow and not sink in.젨They are wide like beavers'tails and distribute your body weight.젨It is a fun activity too.젨And finally there is tobogganing.젨Tobogganing is a form of sledding.젨People of all ages love to jump on a toboggan (sled) and slide down a hill of snow.젨It is both exhilarating and refreshing.젨This is my husband's favourite winter activity.젨He loves to challenge our students to races.젨Everybody comes home rosy-cheeked, happily tired and ready to drink back a nice, hot chocolate drink.젨
Winter is just as interesting and fun as summer, especially in the small town Canada; you just have to dress appropriately and join in some outdoor snow activities and sports. NP