We only thought we knew cold...

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We're back from Harbin and enjoyed our trip there. We both really liked St. Sofia Church (a beautiful old Russian Orthodox church from around 1900); of course, the Harbin Ice Festival; and I even learned how to ski (only $10 and still a deal though it was quite a small slope!). It was all very much like a Winter Wonderland.

Thankfully, it was not nearly as cold as it can get this time of year in Harbin. That being said, it was still really cold. I'm not one to layer up or wear long underwear; but this week, I rarely left the hotel without wearing four layers of pants, five layers on top, and multiple pairs of socks, gloves and mittens. But, aside from our hands (which never could get warm), we stayed toasty with all those layers and enjoyed walking around the city. We have posted pictures here (many of which are not our own pictures since our camera is on the fritz).

Here are a few funny things we saw and learned on our first (and probably only trip) to such a cold place:
1. In extremely cold weather, Matt gets little icicles on his eyelashes.
2. And my nose hairs freeze (a very strange sensation and a bit disgusting, but true).
3. Street vendors use refrigeration to keep drinks from freezing. One Coke we bought froze within 10 minutes.
4. Ice cream is still popular at sub-zero temps. No freezers needed.
5. Car exhaust instantly freezes and makes very slick, little ice circles at traffic lights.
6. At those temps, even rivers freeze solid so that you can walk from one side to the other.

We had a great time seeing a new city and hanging out with our friends. But we are glad to be back in the relatively warm temps of Hangzhou!