Things you should know about visiting/living a New York winter:- Urban city snow is very different from mountainous ski resort snow. Urban city snow is a mixture of ice, grime, dirt, dog poo, and more often than not, homeless people urine. You are not advised to play in it, walk on it, drive on it, or build a bat cave.
- Don't let the sunshine fool you. When I lived in Pacific Beach, I never watched the weather channel or looked up the weekly forecast. All I had to do was look out my second floor window and see if the sun was peeking over the buildings. Sun = warm. No sun = wear a hoodie. In New York City, your best bet is to go out onto your fire escape. This is because 1: knowing the temperature will do you no good if you do not know the wind chill, and 2: since you cannot see air and there are no trees, you cannot gauge the ferocity of the wind. Of course, the wind chill temperature and the speed and direction of the wind can be looked up online, but can you really conceptualize 5 degree, SW winds at 18mph? I didn't think so.
- Scarves are not an accessory, it is a necessity. It no longer matters whether my earmuffs or mittens look "cute" or match. They prevent frostbite.
- Do NOT under any circumstances, wear good shoes. I still have salt stains on my Frye boots that I have tried to remove with vinegar, cover with brown shoe polish, and shine with oil.
- Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize. Despite the fact that it is snowing and/or raining, the air is very dry. I get 3 month long dry skin patches that eventually turn into dry skin rashes. Not cool.
Diane: What does falling snow look like?
Me: Grated Parmesan cheese.
Diane: So they don't look like flakes?
Me: No, not unless you have a microscope.
