Being an immigrant in the USA gives you an interesting perspective on the American mentality.  The fact before any minor natural event the local grocery stores are emptied, batteries are in short supply, candles become fashionable and anything relating to the event in question becomes a desperate quest.  In the DC area alone, just before the storm hit, fights were breaking out over shovels.  I found this quite funny.

The habbit of closing things before an event even starts is also quite amusing.  Schools were closed the night before Snowmageddon even began, businesses closed hours early without even a flake on the ground.  The logic is understandable, but coming from a country where immense snowfalls happen regularly, with no preparation or means to fight it, this is interesting to watch. 

After Snowmaggedon settled, it was a truly beautiful sight.  Within 30 minutes of the last snowflake, the sun was out and shining bright.  The next day was truly impressive as well.  While the roads were terrible, impossible to properly navigate without all wheel drive, stores were open and people were out and about.  This worst snowfall in DC's recent memory, , has ended and the panic was all for nought ... as they all end.

As I drove around the area, I was breathtaken by the beauty left in Snowmaggedon's aftermath.  People were out shoveling, kids were playing in the streets and the snow left a puffy blanket of white everywhere.  Below are some photos of the aftermath shot early this morning, some with comments on where they were taken.

Shady Grove in North Potomac, a generally Busy Street

This is a reasonably large intersection by Potomac Place Shopping Center

This is Interstate 270 by the Shady Grove exit.  There is an inch of snow throughout most of it

In the end I have but one question, what will all those people do with a 2 month supply of milk?