Wed June 29, 2005: Bonjour de Montreal.
Finally, a hello from Montreal, QC. I thought I left that heatwave at home, but it seems to have followed me! This morning's weather forecast said that rain showers are expected later this afternoon... Will that bring relief and lower temperatures? The Chinese dude (the young man running this internet cafe) told me that this kind of weather is very unusual. They do have heatwaves, only once a Summer, but never this long and not this humid. Some kind of timing I have, eh?
The flight went well yesterday - no delays. Officials at Frankfurt Airport, Germany had a hard time believing I'm 30. They actually asked for my driver's license to verify.Now why would I lie about my age. And If I were to lie, wouldn’t it more sense to make myself younger instead of older?
The young man at customs at Montreal Airport was also asking all kinds of questions regarding my trip including *the* question: Where do you work? So I answered: I'm a clerk at a District Court in the Netherlands. And I grinned like a fool knowing that must've sounded stupid, even if it's the truth. He grinned back at me: "Do you swear?" Ha ha ha...
Despite the heat I wanted to venture the city (really), but found it almost impossible - my shirt was soaked within half an hour. Anyhoo, I managed to check out Chinatown, which was a bit of a disappointment. But, like in Beijing, China, folks approached me in Chinese (not Cantonese but Mandarin, that much I did distinguish).
Then I walked on to The Village :) A lot of cute guys and an occasional goodlookin' chica. The atmosphere was definitely super-relaxed. If I decide to come back, I sure would hang here longer. But this is my last day here and tomorrow morning I'm off to Ottawa to meet with my friend Astrid.
People here are friendly and I found no problem in mixing my rusty high school French with English (they really appreciate that). The thing is that their French is not Parisian French, which makes speaking even harder for me. But every one here is bilingual, or at least understand English. The metro here is very similar to the one running in Paris, France, so I had no trouble finding my way around. But even though the metro is a long way underground it still is hot. My initial thought of escaping the heat by using the metro was soon... Melted away.
Well, I was actually on my way to Parc Mont Royal, but I took one wrong turn and - also due to detours, since they're working on some roads on this neighborhood) I can't seem to find the way in. I've walked around that mountain (or should I say volcano?) on the east side from North to South and I' m currently a couple of miles off. And then I saw the internet cafe and figured it wouldn't hurt to hide in here and cool off - and provide you something to read.
Sun July 3, 2005: I'm in Ottawa
I'm now in Ottawa, ON, and cooling off at my friend's house after a tasty dinner.
The bus ride went smooth (I was dozing off most of the time and not really paying attention to the scenery) and my friend Astrid was waiting for me at the bus terminal. After a quick check in we went to her place for lunch (her home made spaghetti) and to catch up. Boy, did we have some catching up to do! Oh, the check in at the hotel made me realize that maybe it is time for me to get a credit card.
Her boyfriend Jason actually came home early, but left for martial arts class and Astrid skipped French class.
Yesterday was Canada Day and I had a great time! I watched a band called Mighty Popo, and got to talk to the singer before the gig. For those who don't know the band: their music is a combo of African music, blues, reggae and pop. The singer told me the band will be playing Lowlands Festival 2006 in The Netherlands.
Also, I got to shake the Prime Minister's hand (Paul Martin - the previous one, Chretien, stepped down last December) and he spoke to us. Funny, eh?
Again, it was blisteringly hot, but there were a couple of rain showers in the evening and after that it was definitely cooler. At night we watched the fire works (which was quite a piece of work). By the way, for those who like exotic food: I bought a little pack of cheddar cheese and BBQ seasoned larvae and I intend to try 'em. I'll let you know what they taste like (chicken?)...
Today I slept in and went out a little after noon (yea, I can almost hear you saying what a lazy git I am). I saw an exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography (I think it's called) and I was impressed. Then I went to have a look at the locks (that's "sluizen" to you Dutchies without a dictionary) and a little stroll along the canals towards the Ottawa River.
The heat was bearable compared to yesterday and that's good. Lots of photo opportunities...
Tomorrow Jason and Astrid are taking me to Gatineau Park for a hike; we're still deciding whether we do the 19 km walk or a shorter one, since Astrid and I are going to a drag show later that day.
Mon July 4, 2005: Another sunny hello
After a short drop in temperature (ever so slightly) the heat is back and I'm hiding out in the main library of Ottawa (with thanks to my friend Astrid who's lend me her library card - which enables me to go online).
It's Monday today and the city is packed with working people (think Brussels, Belgium or The Hague in the Netherlands or DC in the US) and there's a different kind of vibe now - well, the extended weekend is over, so it's back to work. My American friends are probably enjoying their long weekend now, since this today is the Fourth of July...
Astrid, Jason and I went hiking in Gatineau Park, which is right across the provincial border (yes, I got to return to the Francophones for an hour or three). The hike was supposed to be a "level 1" hike, which means that there's nothing strenuous about it. It quickly turns out that the hike was inclining towards a "level 2", meaning that there are some steep hills involved and (small parts of the route) a little off the beaten path. Thankgawd for the trees and the shades: it was 34C out :)
The hike went okay and I had a great time and a couple of wonderful views.
Right before we took off I spotted an eagle (it made such an impression to me I totally forgot to take pictures), during the hike Astrid pointed out a cute little green frog and driving back into the city we spotted a beaver dam and something that resembled a porcupine: city girl goes nature!
After getting back to Ottawa I went to venture Parliament Hill, trying to ignore a relentless sun, and I walked towards the Supreme Court Building - cursing the humidity and heat. Until I came across the Canadian Currency Museum. I saw it was free, so I hopped in and strolled around for a while. It's interesting to see the history of money with all the exhibited examples. There's even a small display of the Euro!
The drag show turned out to be some kind of beauty pageant thingy. Very amusing and Astrid and I had a great time. My favorite one won. She was the most classy one, in my opinion, and very stylish where clothes are concerned (now I probably sound like a queen - JOKE!). A few of them have incredible bodies - I wish mine was a little more like theirs, but then I have to grow at least 6 inches to start with. (Can you spell "Hobbit" ?)
I haven't planned anything yet (I have to take the heat into account, which really slows me down), but there's a chance I'm going canoeing on Wednesday. Never done that before, so I'm looking forward to that. Maybe I'm going to a comedy show at Yuk Yuk's, which is right next door to where I'm staying (depends on whether I can still get a $15 ticket - that cash deposit forced me to live on a budget till the end of my stay here) and to a sort of early-Pride dance on Sunday.
Wed July 6, 2005: Some more sight seeing
I'm having some quiet time in the library again :)
It's rained yesterday, which was nice. It started off as a light drizzle, which was actually refreshing when one is walking from Downtown towards Little Italy (that's west Ottawa).
Anyhoo, I started with watching the changing of the guards in Parliament Hill. I feel so sorry for those people wearing those tall bear skin hats... I think I spotted a few female guards - unless they've started hiring men with man boobs. Talking about boobs: I'm still "sir"-red a lot, despite my now longer hair and tighter T-shirts. The thing is when I'm out and about with my friend Astrid, no such thing happens. Can you say girly accessory? Forget the handbag, I just need a girl friend *lol*
After that I took a self guided tour of the (Parliament) Hill. At one point I saw a Mountie on a beautiful horse, but before I could get any closer the horse decided it had enough of all the people taking pictures and tip toed along. Shucks!
I also went out for a tour at the Supreme Court. The building itself is bland and symmetrical, but the entrance hall is pretty impressive. I have to admit when I walked the outside steps I sort of felt like one of those ADAs on Law and Order. If only...
By then it was close to noon and I decided to check out Ottawa's Chinatown and maybe get lunch (I only had two croissants and a bottle of water for breakfast at nine-ish). Chinatown in Ottawa is larger than the one in Montreal, but then I learned the other day that officials of the city of Montreal have tried to contain the Chinese community and had set ridiculous rules as to prevent Chinatown from expanding. Strange, considering the fact that Chinatowns anywhere attract large crowds of tourists and they’re always doing well financially. (Ever heard of a bankrupt Chinatown?) At first I went into a little place that had BBQ duck, but when they insisted I take half a duck (that's about three meals for myself) I declined a looked for another place.
I had lunch at a little place - also frequented by a lot of locals (and I mean both senses of the word) called Bho Po Ga (don't ask me to pronounce that). For about $10 I had a bowl of noodle soup with beef balls and fresh veggies, a Diet Coke and they had their tip. Everything about my meal screamed home made, and yes: it was very tasty!
By then the soft drizzle of rain had changed into a gentle rain and I was trying to decide whether to move further along Somerset St. West towards Little Italy when my bowels made the decision for me. Shucks, again. Somewhat reluctantly I went back to my hotel room - hoping no nasty incidents would occur along the way. I think my bowels are missing their almost daily portion of glutamine. Well, they get it in about a week's time.
According to the weather forecasts there will be more rain showers to come and another light drop in temperature. That's fine by me.
My friend Astrid has finally gotten a job? I am so happy for her; she's been applying for jobs after she got her green card and working permit earlier this year.
Sat July 9 2005: Poutine, larvae and bubble tea...
There are still a couple of days left for me here, but I'm not sure whether I'll get another opportunity to send you all a final E-mail before I leave for home - so consider this the last one.
In the meantime I have seen a Sounds and Light Show on The Hill and enjoyed it. I also visited the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the National Gallery and the cathedral-basilica Notre Dame...
I tried poutine - which is a filling meal: it consists of fries, cheese curls and gravy (made out of mushrooms!). To me it doesn't look very appetizing, but it sure tastes good. And well, as I may have mentioned before, I bought a small pack of larvae and tried it; it doesn't taste so good - and it sure don't taste like chicken to me. Also, Astrid took me to a little place on ByWard Market for a shot of bubble tea. I love it!
I went out on a sticking spree: I'd taken a stack of Sarah Bettens posters with me and I put quite a few of them up (on the places where it's allowed, mind you). They're mainly on Bank St. now. Astrid and I are going shopping in a minute and if weather permits we're going to a movie tonight - shown on a grassy field, so we are to bring our own deck chairs, blankets, snacks and pop and admission is what the individual can afford. I don't know what I going to do tomorrow apart from the comedy show at Yuk Yuk's.
Have a wonderful weekend - this will be my last on Canadian soil...
Mon July 11, 2005: My last hours in the city... Au revoir!
Bonjour tout le monde! This is it; the end of my vacation. I had a really really good time - and I'd like to thank Astrid and Jason for showing me around and taking me along on hiking trips and taking me to eateries I wouldn't have gone to otherwise.
I met lots of people, seen lots of places and looted lots of stores... Kidding about the latter. My major budget spending purchase consists of 7 CDs (varying from Silvertide to Three Days Grace. The girl at the HMV was like "I saw you this morning!" and I'm like "Huh?"
It turns out she sat across from Astrid and me on the bus. She told me I reminded her of a friend of hers from Bahrein: "You look exactly like her" is what she kept saying. Hmm... Suddenly, I look like somone from Kuwait??? Dude, I'm Asian!
At night we went to an outdoor screening of "Grease" - yes, lady friends, your eyes do not deceive you: I went out and saw Grease. Not particularly a fave of mine, but the fact that it was outdoors (it was on a little sportsfield at a primary school nearby) made the experience special to me. I talked about it with Astrid afterwards: we both couldn't imagine this happening in the Netherlands (besides the fact that rain showers are constantly lurking around the proverbial corner - lots of Dutch people are cheap skates, so the pay-what-you-can-miss admission just would not work!).
Sunday started off a little weird... Astrid and I woke up early to go on another L1 hike, but the leader didn't show up and we didn't feel like doing an L2 hike (since that group would go for a swim at Lake Meech afterwards and wouldn't return to the city until four or five in the evening). So Astrid suggested we could go to Mud Lake - and Jason came along with us.
I've learned that Mud Lake is basically "wetlands" and a park is built around it to preserve it. I've seem lots of wild life (nothing big): squirrels, frogs, toads, fish, all kinds of birds and a little black snake with yellow strips that run along the length of its body. I had a great time. After that I went back to my hotelroom and, after a quick lunch, I actually had a siesta (I am getting old...).
I met up with Astrid and Jason for shawarma. Astrid told me that Canadian shawarma is different from the (sometimes greasy) Dutch version so I wanted to try it. Now I can tell you that it sure is different, but a tasty and filling dinner (I only had a sandwich since I know I couldn't finish an entire plate). After that we said "goodbye" and I went back to the hotel: Yuk Yuk's comedy club is actually in the basement of the hotel I'm staying at (talk about convenience, eh?). The show lasted about an hour and forty five minutes and it consisted of four Canadian stand up comics, and they were good! I laughed throughout the entire show. It wasn't until the headliner stepped on stage that I realized I had almost literally run into her upon entering the basement (can someone turn on the lights, please?): she introduced herself as Martha Chaves and told us (amongst other things) that she had entertained the Canadian troups; while the US troups got J.Lo the Candians got her, Martha Chaves from Nicaragua, aka Pay Low... And she also made some funny remarks about the "G" that Jewish and Arabic (and the Dutch, but she probably doesn't know that) pronounce so well. To all you non-Jews/Arabs/Dutchies: the trick is to cough up a teeny tiny amount of phlegm *LOL*
Anyhoo, I packed my bag after the comedy show, so I could sleep in a bit. This morning I was glad I did; I needed some extra sleep. (I luckily don’t have a lot of shit to take home with me, cos then the contents of my bag would be even stinkier then they are now). I spent the morning very relaxed, checked out and had vegetarian sushi and chicken gyoza and green tea for brunch. I can afford it now: I got my deposit back upon checking out - all $300,- and now I feel rich.
Talk to y’all later!
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