embarque ma belle

Behold Amsterdam: the only place I've been in Europe thus far, and only for a brief 6 hours during a stopover en route to Nairobi. Short, but it piqued my interest. Even though it was 8 am, the streets were empty (save for a few past-their-prime ladies of the night who were relegated to the morning shift and bitterly smoking on the fringe of the red light district), I couldn't help but grind my feet over the cobblestones and explore a little.

The long-awaited time has come to tread European and UK soil. I feel that watching Eurotrip on VHS last night sufficiently prepped me, and the rest can only unfold as it will.

So, my loyal readers (if anyone is out there) I will be faithfully documenting my trip right here.

On Thursday morning my "partner" and I are flying into London, and will begin the adventure from there. We've got minimal funds but a hell of a lot of resourcefulness (I hope), some protein bars, and I've got a new leather-bound pocket journal.

Until I arrive, I bid you adieu

fresh air

saskatchewan

I spent the last 6 days or so with my family, out west in Alberta. The air is cleaner (and thinner; it's damn high!) and the foliage is evergreener, and it was peaceful.


Banff from above

We went to visit Jonathan, who works at the Banff Springs Hotel golf course, and we stayed at the hotel of the same name. He's found a wicked job out there. The staff quarters are teeming with like-aged students, and the town itself is full of an amiable, young crowd.


Bow river near Banff Springs

The itinerary or lack thereof was pretty loose. We did a lot of hiking, exploring etc. You really can't beat the scenery.


Cascade Pond


Jonathan and Karlie, the hosts


cute ground squirrel


trail ride horses

My mom and I went for a trail ride around the hotel area, and I borrowed Karlie's authentic cowboy hat for the occasion. The stable staff seemed impressed, and even took me for a real rider until they saw my awkwardly white running shoes and far awkwarder mount onto the horse.


Aussie and I

And yes, everyone's favourite aus-canadian is working out in the area too, at Lake Louise. We met up for dinner, some exploring, and the embarassing experience of me being rejected from 2 bars because I clearly didn't pass for even 18, even though my parents vouched for me.


redwood


the original hot springs


tree swinging. jonathan. he's more scared than he looks.


jer


Waterton lakes

Now this place, I would definitely recommend. Far less touristy than Banff (the full-time population is about 50), and with even lovlier scenery. It's also called "The Trail of the Great Bear," i.e. hosts the largest Grizzly population in North America. (gulp). We saw a young black bear, who was actually blondish brown, and very cute. We also saw moose, mountain sheep, mule deer, bison and the ubiquitous ground squirrels.


trees grown in the wind






Red Rock Canyon




This photo was actually taken in Goat Haunt, Montana, where we visited on an international boat tour. The "border" was a bare strip of land cut into the forest and continuing up the mountains on both sides of the lake. Who knew?


Bison in their natural habitat



In Waterton, I was lucky enough to meet up with a girl I'd met in Quebec, Anne. She just happened to be working at one of the two restaurants in town, and she kindly showed me around the area. We ended up sitting on a cliff edge and watching the sky darken. It's interesting when you can talk freely with someone you've known only for a brief time. I like when that happens. We talked about everything we want to do, haven't done, have forgotten to do, are not doing. Talked in circles but maybe that's how you get somewhere (?)

congratulations, comrades

It was great beyond words to return to all of my hilarious friends.







"earn those cocktails!"

p.s. there's a concert in august, if anyone is interested

A bientot la belle province

Had my last night in Quebec not been mingled with the drunken sentiments of a separatist making fun of his girlfriend (and consequently her family, and me) for her federalist(e)(s) sympathies, I might have passed a seperatism-free trip. On the surface, rural Quebec is welcoming in every way. The locals are warm and willing to chat, wine flows freely, and cheese and poutine are the bonding agents of anglo-franco canadian friendship. And because I was there to learn the language, I quickly discovered that it is language that simultaneously unites and divides us.

At this aforementioned dinner party on my last night, my fumbling grasp of French became the evening's entertainment. When I would mispronounce a word, or use the wrong word (For example, "Il teind le gazon" meant "he dyes the grass", when I meant to say "il tend le gazon" as in "he cuts the grass"). Although I obligingly let them all laugh at me for some time, after a few hours, being the novelty gets old. I now know why Ali G's Borat is such a popular character. At the same time, there's no way anyone who struggles that much with a language would put themselves up for public ridicule like Borat so bravely (fictionally) does. After 3 hours I yelled "Just because I'm learning French doesn't mean I'm a child!" (in French of course).

Anyway, annoyance aside, I do believe--more than ever--that we should all put ourselves through the uncomfortable yet amazing process of learning a second language. Those who speak can start to understand others, if only through the inherent idiosyncracies of language. Sure, it's not easy, but by doing it you're working towards something that helps you be better citizen of your own country, in my opinion. Maybe it wasn't a coincidence that the trilinguals at the table were FOR a united, diverse country, when the guy who only spoke French and had barely left Jonquiere proclaimed himself as "Quebecois, not Canadian"? Just a thought.

The last week in Jonquiere was pretty relaxed. Brian and I entered a drawing contest for the program, entitled "Mon coup de cour a Jonquiere" essentially, what I love about Jonquiere. While I chose the fashion and crazy hair styles,



Brian's design (of the giant beers and the 4 song rotation on the radio) was so successful he won the grand prize



I really enjoyed my second host family. The food and company were awesome.

clockwise from left: Kelly, the other student at my house; Jonathan, the host 'dad';; me (looking like a tumbleweed); and Melanie, my 20-year-old host 'mom'





After a great last night and a nice goodbye to the friends we made, we headed back east. We met Jennie--who was on her way back from Trois-Pistoles--in Montreal, and caught up over the final 6 hour stretch of the drive.

It was a really great program and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a relaxing, educational and challenging time, and yet is willing to brave the mayonaise-laden Quebecois diet.

Ella Fitzgerald `god bless the child` in the background. at a sleepy cafe. free internet. really nice owner. got hair done (finally) for an amazing price, and am thrilled with it. feel sad that the program is almost over. could (almost) get used to small-town life. miss my family. excited to see jennie and share the ride home with her. brian is cute(and good at french now). booked flights. wanderlust. love the beer and wine selection here (cheap and delicious). ate too much chocolate (again). one day of class left. wish I could learn even more french. wish i had a better accent. think aussie`s blog updates are hilarious. it`s my cousin`s 17th birthday and almost my brother`s as well. reading ellis and like his style. read the princes of ireland and feel like a history nerd. excited for my research in september. feels so far away. want to go to burlington. need a backpack. almost time to graduate (officially, monday).

here`s the last little bit

Friday: Soiree costume (I was a flamant rose: flamingo)





Sunday: Whales and Cliffs at Tadoussac. belugas are magical. brian told me i have a beluga face after i called him a lobster.











Saturday: Quebec City. it rained but i loved the moodiness of it. it was really surreal to return to the place i knew and loved for two fabulous march breaks in high school.