chirpy birds must die

Well, a very good morning to everyone. It is now about 6:30am, which is a whole hour past when I dragged myself out of bed this morning. I know, it's not the bird's fault that it has to chirp it's happy little chirping. Nor is it the bird's fault that I had a skin full last night and am now hung over, but I would just like for it to stop. For just a few minutes. Not to worry. Montreal has been sensational to say the least! We arrived and instantly booked another night (seeing as we couldn't find 2 days worth of stuff to do at Niagara Falls). Having walked around a bit and done some general meandering, we booked two more nights! Brilliant!

More old Montreal, looking at city hall

So of course, Montreal is in Quebec, and they speak French here. My Quizical looks at the beggars asking me for money in French (either that or making interesting fashion commentry and asking to be paid for their opinions) told them that I was a foreigner, so they had to start the whole story again in English. The answer still a resounding "Non". Still, I was impressed with their language skills. The place is nothing like anywhere else that we've been in Canada. The architechture, logically, is much more "French" and the booze is at European prices (*cheep*). Sarah and I were naturally at home. Or so we thought. Possibily the most bizare scene I have ever happened across was in one of the parks near where we are staying. Picture this, there is shouting and fighting and general chaos. You prentend you're dead until everyone else is "dead" on the battle field and then you start all over again. Yep, knights in plate armour, weilding what appeared to be swords and other such weapons made from pool noodle material were belting the shit out of each other, pretending to be dead, then doing it ll over again! Hilarious!

Noodle fighters

The dudes in the armour were obviously serious about their hobby, and there was plenty of effort in the costumes, so we were rather impressed. I know pool noodles don't really hurt, but I still wouldn't like to have one wrapped around my head. So while all of this excitement is going on, about 200 meters away, a cannibis-haze is floating into the sky from a drumming cirlce. I thought it was impromtu, but the locals later told us that it was in fact a weekly event, as was the noodle fighting. So, basically, for a good time in Montreal, take your pool noodle swords and your drum to the park, and when you're done beating the hell out of the other noodle flingers, you can go and drum with the hippies! Fantastic. I was absolutely gutted that I had left both my bogos and my pool noodle sword at home. Not to worry.

Old Montreal Port

Still, with all the excitement, we've had plenty of time for relaxing. Moving on today to Quebec city, which apparently should be interesting as not as many people speak English. I was entertained greatly by an Australian girl in the bus station informing everyone that the Quebec locals spoke very "poor" English. Yes, love, that's right, they speak FRENCH. Although daunted, we're not going to let it stop us doing anything. We have purchased a phrase book, quite useful actually, and Sarah will no doubt pick it up pretty quickly. Apparently there are quite a few similarities between French and Spanish, so should be no problem. Otherwise, I hope all are well and not too boozed! Take it easy.

Tom

written by

haveyouseenmypassport on June 26, 2007 from Montreal, Canada

from the travel blog: To infinity!.. and... beyond... uh.....

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