Winterlude/Bal de Neige

You know the expression "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em?"  Well, I decided that I was going to gird my loins and walk down to Winterlude.  It's a winter festival being held downtown in Confederation Park, a mere 23 minute walk, in minus 23 degree weather.  This is when it really pays to have a bit more padding!

The Japanese and American carvers at work.

I stopped at the library to renew my card and found out I had a fine for a book on English/Malay conversation!  Certainly appropriate given the last time I used the Ottawa Public Library was just before we left for KL, 7 yrs ago.  So now I can borrow without guilt!  It's chance to read all those mags I am too embarrassed to buy!  

Anyway there were tonnes of families down to take a look at the ice sculptures.  There were a couple of characters dressed like Klondike Mike types really pouring on the Quebecois accent, telling stories and manipulating wood puppets for the kids.  

This little girl was transfixed by the dancing puppets.

It was fun to watch some of the little kids try their hands a chopping wood.  Seems kinda dumb to our generation but kids today (OMG am I using that!!?) don't have much opportunity to lose digits in traditional activities.  The worst they could do today is lose a digit to frostbite due to texting!

So, of course,  the real reason for all this was the chance to eat maple syrup cooled on a popsicle stick.  Sounds sickly sweet but it is delish!  The sugar strands kind of get stuck in your hair but so be it.  While I was there getting my pop 3 people who had participated in the Kilt Skate.  

This one's for you M!

The Kilt Skate trio!

I dunno if you can see it exactly, but the guy on the right, has a dead fox on his head.  Savage sex appeal or what?!  Looked like fun so I decided if I could see more men in skirts on the canal but it was just regular folks enjoying the sun and ice.  It brought back a few memories of when I took M to the festival when we lived there.

Looks like fun!