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Atwater Tower
Looming over the ever deliciously trendy Atwater MarketWhen I made my decision to return to Canada, I struggled with the thought of "settling down." To my nomadic mind this implied immediate marriage, pursuit of a serious career, home-ownership and a plethora of other dreadful sounding traps for the free spirit. Stressed by the thought of instant immobility, I spent a long time ignoring my own declaration that I needed to come home, searching spastically for jobs that would keep me on the move.
Numerous lengthy discussions with Dad in Ireland assuaged some of my unfounded fears that I was closing the door on all future adventures as we dreamed up career options and travel plans to last a lifetime; but it was a walk through Montreal's Trudeau airport that convinced me I was right to come back. Even as I deplaned, I caught snippets of Frenglish conversation - Montreal's unique dialect that switches effortlessly between French and English every few words. I smiled when the customs agent greeted me with "Hello, Bonjour" and beamed with pride when he said, "Welcome home."
Struck by the diversity and open-mindedness of my own country, I felt suddenly inspired to explore it more thoroughly. After a wonderful week spent with
Irish Pub in Montreal
Dad and I tried to keep our pub-going alive after we got back from Ireland, but the modern rock music they were playing failed to set the mood family and friends in Montreal, I made my way to Calgary to begin my next adventure - an in-depth exploration of what this city and the vast area surrounding it have to offer. Since I got back last Friday, I've already been for a delicious steak dinner at Saltlik restaurant and zip-lining (sliding down a cable) from the top of the ski-jump tower at Canada Olympic Park. With hiking season and the Calgary Stampede just around the corner, I'm sure there won't be any shortage of bloggable events in my life; and I certainly won't feel settled.
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Shona
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Lido!!!
Ah Emilie! You brought a tear to my eye with your last picture. This was my favourite thing to do on my own every Saturday morning for two years!! Wow, real pangs of sadness... and of missing it all. Another reassurance that a planned holiday there next year is a must! Oh, and I LOVE the Saltlik! :))