Harbin - Finding The Snow Goddess

We headed to the Snow Festival. The skies were dark and threatening.  Enhancing the magical experience that awaited us, was the very real promise of snow. Yet again, Debbie and I were transported to another world. Another realm. We were the only people there for a large part of our visit. An unbelievable gift in China. No crowds. No queues. Just the two of us walking in absolute silence. A surreal experience. 

Darkness from heavy clouds and pristine white of virgin snow created a medley of hues. Bathing the beauty around us. Statues, castles and figurines. Stood in silence. Watching us. Feeling almost guilty at being there, intruding on this etheric scene, we walked even slower. So as not to disturb the snow and her inhabitants. However, as we moved deeper into this world, we had the distinct feeling of being watched. In a gentle, loving manner. Our presence was welcomed. I’m aware that this description may sound weird or a touch extreme. This is exactly how we both felt. The energy present, radiated a hauntingly beautiful rhythm. The unique forms of artwork too shared their presence through means other than visual.

At one stage, the ice became increasingly slippery. Being cautious, I suggested to Debbie that she continue on her own around the next corner. I was happy to wait on the steps of the ice hotel. Absorbing my surroundings. She returned within minutes. Reaching out to take my arm, Debbie’s voice faltered. “You cannot miss this Mom. Come with me.” In exaggerated slow motion, we trudged around the corner. Stopping dead in our tracks. 

The Snow Goddess. In all her magnificence. She looked down upon us, radiating the most overwhelming sense of calm and serenity. In her eyes, the look of compassion. Of immense softness. Her presence emanated a glorious union. That of tenderness and of supreme power. That Man captured those qualities in snow - on such a majestic scale – is beyond comprehension.

We stood mesmerised. Time stood still. Allowing us to be in her presence entirely. Presenting us the gift of being in the moment. The silence was haunting. The ground lay blanketed in white silk. The clouds joined us. Seemingly moving closer to the earth. To share our unique experience with the Snow Goddess. The snow fell. Embracing both humans and nature. Like everything else in that moment, it was gentle and pure.

Our photos can never do justice to what we experienced that cold weekend in Harbin. If only I could capture it more vividly. Perhaps I did. When looking at the photos, both Debbie and I are transported back to that moment. We are able to relive the actual sensations and emotions we felt. The effect it had on our souls. Captured in our hearts forever.

With a certain hesitancy, we left the Snow Goddess and wandered back to reality. The snow then fell heavily. Traffic was a nightmare. Roads became treacherous. We headed to the station for our return journey of seven long hours on the bullet train to Beijing. Sitting upright in our seats, we experienced another version of creativity. Not in virgin snow art forms, but in the burping, spitting and snoring of fellow passengers. All the way to the City of Smog.