Shiroi kurisumasu de yumemiru

Osaka was brought to a standstill by a surprise snowstorm this morning. At least it was a surprise to me. Those 3 inches really packed a wallop. The Sea of Japan coast had a bit more.

There wasn't a car on the street this morning, and there was certainly no plowing or shoveling. The cafeterias had to close early because of a lack of food; deliveries didn't make it through due to the "traffic procrastination", as Google translated so colorfully. The sun came out all afternoon and melted the snow, so after dark everything turned to ice. I didn't break my neck walking home, but I begin to see some advantages to living in a litigious society.

Next Wednesday I return to the States for a bit, barring additional snowstorms (knock on wood).