Winnipeg’s winter ‘magic’ warms Brazilian visitor’s heart, inspires song

Danielle Bruzzi’s letter:

“During my recent visit to Canada in December, I didn’t even have time to comment on my impressions of this trip.

Vancouver is spectacular, a cosmopolitan city that can be anywhere. Rain?

Vancouverites are not sure what rain is — what they have is drizzle. Go to Brazil now and see what real rain is! But I had a great stay there, I visited really breathtaking places.

Then I came to Winnipeg. Winnipeg is what comes to mind when we think of Canada. Cold — just the weather — and how cold it is. But the people are so friendly, so polite, everyone is so smiling and willing to help you, you do not even remember the cold. The cold does not bother you so much. Unless it is windy, of course — the wind can be so strong, as well as icy, that it almost throws you on the ground.

My stay in Winnipeg was perfect — the museums are beautiful, people go crazy with Christmas and super decorate their homes for the occasion. All very magical here.

Remember I said that Vancouver is a city that can be anywhere? Winnipeg can only be in Canada. I can not imagine this wonderful city anywhere else in the world. Winnipeg is Canada. For real.

Heartbroken to leave.”

— Published in the Winnipeg Free Press Jan. 11, 2018

My Winter Home lyrics by Joshua Letkeman

I feel your warmth now, holding me tight

Beneath your weight lies, a beautiful site

Through all of the wreckage and damage we’ve done

You hold us all up right and show us your love

Through sadness and sorrow, in darkness and pain

On warm summer evenings, and downpours of rain

You can hear the wind blowing, though a quiet remains

Our love for you blooming, even though…

It’s cold in Winnipeg, it’s cold in Winnipeg, it’s cold in Winnipeg

A comfort you bring me, though people complain

About snow in the gutter and baseball park mayor’s

There’s a beauty in sadness, and a sadness you hold

And I forever am grateful, for the warmth that you show

In springtime and summer, winter and fall

No matter your weather, we’ll weather it all

And you know why we stay here, and live in this town

It’s the love of your people, and they smile…

Though it’s cold in Winnipeg, it’s cold in Winnipeg, though it’s cold in Winnipeg, it’s cold in Winnipeg

Part of the time we are cursing your name

We’re just putting our sadness and sorrow and blame on you

If I ended up somewhere else living my dream

I’d still crawl back to you…

Though it’s cold in Winnipeg, though it’s cold in Winnipeg

Though it’s cold in Winnipeg, though it’s cold in Winnipeg