It is quite amazing how one country can come to a complete standstill and another just carries on as normal when there is a bit of snow. There has been major amounts of snowfall in Bulgaria this winter and all the roads are still being used whether cleared of snow or not.The system here in and around Yambol is to use snowploughs on the main trunk roads, tractors with snow shifting devices fixing on the front of the machines in the villages and just sprinkle a load of grit and sand on all roads to give a little grip. There is no salt put on roads here, and to be quite honest there is no need as the systems in place here work very well.
It is a quick recall to the UK where the slightest touch of snow sends shock waves through the country, which grinds to a halt. I know they have a lot this year, the feeback I get is that it has been the the worst there for 18 years! Don't ask me why, perhaps they are trying to be too clever in dealing with it. Working with the weather rather than against it is probably a better solution, that's how most deal with it here. The snow will go eventually why try and clear it all?
In my street in Yambol town last year it was covered with snow for at least three weeks. People in cars and on foot used it daily in this condition, albeit slightly more cautious than normal, of course it does cause problems, but no complaining just taking it more slowly than normal, which is slow to start with anyway. The sand and grit mixture, and that was all it was, that was put on the surface of the ice and snow really does a very good job. No salt on the roads is another reason Lada cars last so long, no rust!
I agree wholeheartedly with you! Although I stopped expressing my opinion when someone pointed out that if the systems in the UK were upgraded to cope with weather that is only this severe every 18 years, then we would end up paying for it in increased fares and taxes. That might not be fair but I think it is probably true.
ReplyDeleteYour snow is prettier than our snow!
My home town Swindon in England has been hit by very heavy snowfall these last ten days. The buses stopped for a few days and some people have been unable to attend work. Some of those at work even left early as another band of snow started to fall.
ReplyDeleteAs far as being too clever in dealing with it, how about this. The local council has now ran out of grit and salt and are trying to get some from Devon council.
Amazing.
Fair play to Bulgaria in dealing with the conditions in a well organized manner and to its people for just getting on with it.
I cannot help but think that some (in the UK) are taking this opportunity to take some time off work.
ReplyDelete"Look, its snowing. Let's stay off work today and head towards the park shall we?"
That said, London seems to be getting more than its fair share of snow this time round but I think we've seen the last of it.
I have been in the US back in 2002 too when there was really heavy downfall - I didn't hear any complaints back then from Americans. They are all just taking extra precautions.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your cute comment in my post ;)! I enjoy your visits.
Martin: Having lived and pastored a few churchs in Alaska for 25 years , I know what snow is all about , we had ice and snow on the road 7 months out of the year, and Alaska never uses salt on their roads and very little sand . You just slow down , drive careful , and learn to live with it . We raised our boys there till they all graduated and I can truthfully say they never closed school for a snow day , my boys would snow shoe and cross country ski 4 miles to school if the school bus did'nt show up. And you always showed up to work , sometimes a little late , but you showed up. One Easter Sunday 1969 we woke up to 37 inches of snow, and we still had church not as many as normal , as most had to ride snow mobiles,and it was pretty cold hiding those colored eggs , but they stuck out like a sore thumb and wre easy to find, life went on as always . I'm glad to see you have learned to cope and not fret. Malcolm
ReplyDeleteEmm - Always more money, any excuse in the UK
ReplyDeleteMartyn - Getting on with it without fuss is the key to coping
CK - I agreed totally, I used to use it as an excuse not to attedn work, but then I liked snow and didn't like work!
Jade - I don't think peaple complain about snow, they get more excited about it as it is quite rare in the south of the UK.
Malcolm - I just love the 'we had it hard times' element in your life. Reminds me of the classic Yorkshiremen comparing hard times Monty Python Sketch. You must rememeber those times so well.
One word: BRRRRRRRR!
ReplyDeletepeace,
mike
livelife365
Hi Martin, Thank you for your comment on expat-blog.com. I'm very surprised that today.com doesn't allow people from Bulgaria to register, as I've seen people from many other countries on there. It's a shame that you can't comment on my blog but I appreciate the reading and entrecard dropping. I will continue to read your blogs.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Roz