So I went to Second Cup (Canada's version of Starbucks/Seattle's Best) and ordered a latte. Hopefully this will help to hold me over till my layover in Chicago, where I'll get a real sandwich from Potbelly's. [Sign That You Spend Too Much Time in Airports #37: When you know at which restaurants you'll eat in different airports.]
We've been in Ontario and Quebec this past week, and have had an absolutely unbelievable time here. Yesterday--with the exception of the day off in Toronto--was definitely the highlight. We all took the train into Montreal for the afternoon prior to our shows. Jason, Kiana, Tim, Kristina and I went down into "Old Montreal" to check out the sights (it was recommended to us as "the place to see" if you've not been to Montreal before). Our excursion didn't have the greatest beginning, because we really had no idea where to go after getting off the train. But then it ended up being such an unexpectedly fantastic afternoon! We walked past the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, and even stumbled across some copies of famous American sculpture/artwork...
Tim shows us what love looks like.
We eventually ended up on Rue Saint-Paul, the main drag in Old Montreal. Unsure of where to eat lunch, we somehow ended up in what is, apparently, the most happening crepe joint in Old Montreal, as evidenced by the massive line when we left. Having had quite a few crepes in my travels, I think I can safely say that the apple, brie, and Canadian maple syrup crepe I had from Chez Suzette is the best crepe I've ever had.
Rue Saint-Paul
A poor photo attempting to display the view from our corner window table.
In our last few minutes before heading back to the train station, we came upon a hilarious street performer. The funniest part of the whole thing was that though he wasn't incredibly talented with his tricks (he kept on unintentionally dropping things while juggling), his timing and sense of humor were so ridiculously engaging. Usually situational humor is not funny outside of said situation, but I think the follow anecdote might translate easily enough via this blog: At the end of his short little act, when people were going up to him to give him money, he shouted very loudly to passers-by in his Québécois accent, "If you just got here, please notice that people are giving me money!"
A shot of Montreal as we head back to the train station.
After catching the train and driving to the theatre in L'Assomption, we arrived to find an unheard-of scenario: all of our equipment had already been set up by the theatre crew. Normally, we arrive at the venue and then are in charge of setting up our own gear (i.e. drums, guitars/amps, percussion, etc.); this venue, however, did all of it for us. WHAT?! Having all of our equipment set up meant more free time for us, which, naturally, meant a trip to the neat coffee shop a few doors down.
We played to a sold-out house, filled with rowdy and supportive Québécois. Not only did they call us back for a second encore (which I've found to be incredibly rare in the theatre world), but I've also never seen an audience enjoy "La Bastringue" more. Usually audiences watch that tune with a blank face; many in this audience, however, clapped and sang along the whole time, because there's not much cooler than hearing a band from an English-speaking province cover a French folk tune. And as if that wasn't enough, never before has an audience cheered so wildly when I've gone down into the splits. Way cool.
It could not have been a more perfect final day to this fall's epic, three-month tour.
Back on the road for our Christmas show in just 10 days!
-----
A quick update on tour stats.
States performed in since July 2008 (35 total): AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MD, MS, MI, MN, MS, MO, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY
Countries performed in since July 2008: Canada (Alberta, Ontario, & Quebec), Mexico, Costa Rica, Denmark, Holland, Italy, France
Wow.
Tim shows us what love looks like.We eventually ended up on Rue Saint-Paul, the main drag in Old Montreal. Unsure of where to eat lunch, we somehow ended up in what is, apparently, the most happening crepe joint in Old Montreal, as evidenced by the massive line when we left. Having had quite a few crepes in my travels, I think I can safely say that the apple, brie, and Canadian maple syrup crepe I had from Chez Suzette is the best crepe I've ever had.
Rue Saint-Paul
A poor photo attempting to display the view from our corner window table.
A shot of Montreal as we head back to the train station.After catching the train and driving to the theatre in L'Assomption, we arrived to find an unheard-of scenario: all of our equipment had already been set up by the theatre crew. Normally, we arrive at the venue and then are in charge of setting up our own gear (i.e. drums, guitars/amps, percussion, etc.); this venue, however, did all of it for us. WHAT?! Having all of our equipment set up meant more free time for us, which, naturally, meant a trip to the neat coffee shop a few doors down.
We played to a sold-out house, filled with rowdy and supportive Québécois. Not only did they call us back for a second encore (which I've found to be incredibly rare in the theatre world), but I've also never seen an audience enjoy "La Bastringue" more. Usually audiences watch that tune with a blank face; many in this audience, however, clapped and sang along the whole time, because there's not much cooler than hearing a band from an English-speaking province cover a French folk tune. And as if that wasn't enough, never before has an audience cheered so wildly when I've gone down into the splits. Way cool.
It could not have been a more perfect final day to this fall's epic, three-month tour.
Back on the road for our Christmas show in just 10 days!
-----
A quick update on tour stats.
States performed in since July 2008 (35 total): AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MD, MS, MI, MN, MS, MO, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY
Countries performed in since July 2008: Canada (Alberta, Ontario, & Quebec), Mexico, Costa Rica, Denmark, Holland, Italy, France
Wow.
1 comment:
I am still in shock and awe at the fact you are out there traveling the world! You are amazing and it looks like you are having an amazing time too. Love the pictures:)
Post a Comment