This time last year, being a number for the
weekend, running in the rain and attempting team challenges, whilst being
yelled at by people in uniform in pretty much a foreign language (in other
words, OTC selection). This time last
week, cycling through the sunny streets and along the sparkling river of
Montreal, munching on crepes and embracing wholeheartedly being ‘those
tourists’. This weekend, writing essays,
watching the rain pour down and basically trying to save money due to the
slightly terrifying speed at which it is being spent.
Life is settling into a routine of two days
of mental amounts of lecture hours and coffee-making, a few days off with feeling
like it’s a Sunday, the token night out, a subsequent hangover day and varying
attempts at reading/writing essays, all with the highlight of meal times with
unlimited amounts of food at caf. Each
meal is an occasion (with only 9 a week, one must be skilful at which meals are
chosen to attend). A standard visit
includes several trips around all the stations, a collection of 4 to 5 plates
and bowls with copious mugs of tea (while trying not to drop my overflowing bowl
of yoghurt and granola all over myself and the floor...yeah, debatable success
with that...)
Anyway, to one of the top-times of my life
out here so far. The trip to Canadian
France. Montreal. We arrived at our hostel and were pleasantly
surprised at the marble, flowers and polished wood – it was going to be a plush
stay... however, being pointed over the road we discovered our room was disappointingly
that of the standard hostel – the rickety bunk beds, the dodgy looking sofa,
and disintegrating walls. But we’re
students so can’t complain much and we survived (just) so that’s the main
thing.
Our stay consisted of cafe visits,
poutine-eating, delightful restaurants, delicious crepes, meanderings through
the cobbled streets, amusement from street-entertainers, visiting an old
friend, copious photo opportunities and the highlight of renting bikes. A breeze blowing, singing songs from The
Sound of Music as we cruised along, and basically having the feeling of ‘this
is the life’ sums it up well. We had heard
great things of the nightlife there and thus, it was experienced to the full by
all (with matching consequential hangovers).
Alors, tres successful and no doubt it shall be visited again sometime
in the future.
Despite staying in Ottawa this week, it has
been busy and filled with a birthday trip to the supposed second best burger
restaurant in Canada. Was scrumptious
indeed. Yet another visit to our student
bar (I think us Brits/Aussies are gaining a reputation – not one time has gone
by without one of us being kicked out... Take them to Timepiece and I don’t
think a single person would not be thrown out.
Although, they sure know how to grind out here...and how to make every
single person around that excited couple be battered around by their untameable
enthusiasm. Lucky us...). Plus a much needed shopping trip (including
my most expensive fro-yo to date. Worth it),
with the classic cultural purchase of friendship bracelets. Cool kids and we
know it.
The Indian summer we were privileged to
experience for the majority of my first month has finally come to an end. Heartbreak.
Now begins the descent into ‘Fall’ with its turning leaves, dropping
temperature and arrival of rain.
Furthermore, with people already planning Halloween outfits (my days, are
they keen for it out here), it feels
like I might as well be flying home for Christmas next week.
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