Winnipeg becomes a strange place during the winter months. Walking around the city can feel like walking through a ghostly dream. The sidewalks are sparsely populated by strangers forced to look down, to hide from the cold and to make sure of their footing. Cars drive lazily by, camouflaged in snow, dirt and foggy windows. The sky is grey, the ground is white and brown, and all colours are muted. Untouched blankets of snow sit on forgotten areas as proof of their abandonment. On top of everything, the sun’s appearances are rare, short lived, and unsubstantial. The surreal feeling continues at night, when the city lights bounce and mix off the ice and snow. All the colours and light give the impression of action, yet the sidewalks remain unoccupied. 

While what I’m describing might sound bleak and miserable, it can be quite the opposite when you experience the city in such intimate conditions. Winnipeg is a city of extremes, and it would be unfair to only explore it in the depths of summer. Despite the cold, there is something eerily beautiful to be found when you take the time to walk through the ghost town - just you and Winnipeg.

Published in Volume 68, Number 17 of The Uniter (January 22, 2014)