Mercury Still Dropping!

This photo is of a 6-meter ice sculpture of Big Ben in Moscow's Pushkin Square. A fun way to celebrate the cold winter here. This is no ordinary winter, however. After a month of mild temperatures, this week Russia is seeing the lowest temperatures it has seen since 1940! It is now -30°C (-22°F). It was almost that cold all day today, and tomorrow may be colder. By next Monday, the temp could reach -39°C. Brrr....

News reports say that already, 24 people have died from the weather (mostly homeless). Russian energy companies have urged strict conservation due to the cold. This has caused a reduction in the amount of electricity and gas used for non-essential purposes such as advertizing, and flood lighting.

Going to and from work, I wore two t-shirts under a sweatshirt under a sweater under a coat under another coat. I was plenty warm for the brief time I spent outside today -- all except for my face, that is.

The bitter cold here didn't stop me from having ice cream today. Twice. :)