On the verge of the decadal of our marriage, you could say my expectations of from important romantic events like anniversaries, birthdays and valentines' days are not very dramatic. But this year my husband decided to break the charm and planned a very interesting trip for Valentine's. We planned to go to the much-talked about Hotel de Glace or Quebec's pride - The Ice Hotel. Since Valentine's day was the last day for the winter carnival in Quebec, we decided to cover that too. We also invited a friend and her family into the convoy.
Over the years I have learned to stay away from decisions with respect to the trip plans and concentrate on prayers to show me empty parking lots and the child not asking for too many wash room breaks or anything else that can any way hamper the "perfect" planning of my husband. But no one says I am not allowed to get carried away with little whims once in a while and ask for little pleasures!! Well today was the day for continual requests for pictures of those vast country side grounds filled with beautiful, clean, white and shimmering snow!
After a couple of times, my friend's husband decided that it would be a good idea that I dint keep repeating myself and called for a break. Little did he know that where he was halting was having a lot of fresh snow and the car actually went off the road into the soft snow. When I thought I could get into trouble for asking this, I agreed not to stop and continue the journey. But when he tried to get the car back on the road he realized that the more he would try to get the car out,the more it was going under the snow.
Then I saw what could have easily made into those candid camera moments, where they deliberately create a situation to check out people's attention. About half a dozen cars pulled up all around us, trying to help us move the car onto the road. A family with kids, a lady and her friend, a couple of gentlemen .....Some of them helped with ideas, others tried to push the car, some others shoveled the snow. My friend and I were overwhelmed with the determination with which these strangers offered support. One lady got so exited, she wasn't taking it easy on those cars that wouldn't stop!
After more than half hour of super human effort finally we decided that we might require professional help from a tow truck. Then again one of the guys quickly called in for help! These guys were amazing. After we profusely thanked them, they all went their way. The husbands decided not to give up and kept trying all the engineering and math logic that they could think of. Right then a cop came up to check what was the problem and after being convinced that it was not an accident but a simple picture taking attempt that went "off the road", he called for help.
We, the women decided to keep the good sense to keep out of their way and not give even genuinely bright ideas, lest the axe might find its way to our necks. Though it was getting past lunch time I dint want to mention it but only jumped at the idea as soon as it came from the boys.
Just when we were having lunch, the police officer went away and the tow truck arrived and what happened in the next 15 secs were the most relieving, irritating and expensive road parking that happened. After checking the situation for like under 5 secs, the driver decided what was to be the plan of action. He got a hook out and tugged the car and with like the ring finger of his left hand and an effort equaling that would be required to operate a coffee machine he moved the car out of the 2 feet ditch!! These are times when you truly thank the Lord for the help and kick yourself that your one hour of extreme physical labor could not do what seventy dollors and a little button could!.
I was feeling so grounded that I dint dare take out the camera to do what we stopped for in the first place. But since everyone else suggested, I gathered courage to take a couple of keepsakes so that it will help me remember the "snowed-in tale". If you dint call this a "photo finish" ...wonder what would! ...And so we went out back on our way....
...Hotel de Glace...here we come...
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