May 28, 2007

The conversations and the people were a surprise.

We said so long to the new campground owner again as we left. It was up at 5:30 again but we didn’t roll out until just before eight as it takes more time to pack up when things are wet even though it was clear and sunny as we rolled out.

As we started riding I mentioned to Denny that the nice thing about the coast to coast ride was the different people I met. I told him that I doubted that this trip would be anything like that as we would meet people but the language barrier would leave us wondering what they were saying and there would be no stories to tell. Was I wrong!

It all started at second breakfast. There were some places about 12 miles from the campground and I went right by one as I was taking a left onto Route 133. Denny asked: Do you want to stop here. I turned around and looked at the place on the corner which had a nice area to park the bikes and lots of window area so we could see them while we ate. This was going to be our first stab at ordering from a menu in French. The waitress said nothing and came over with a pot of coffee to fill our cups which brought a smile to Denny’s face. From the learning French CD’s that I have been listening to I knew how to order coffee so I said: “Du caffee.” The waitress poured them left menus and went back behind the counter. When we were ready to order she came back and Denny started to point to items on a special which had choices. He didn’t say anything. It was point, point, point. The waitress figured we were American and started talking in English.

A friendly waitress with an excellent meal.

I always order the same thing. Two pieces of french toast, two eggs over easy, wheat toast, but this time I added bacon. Home fries came with the eggs. When the waitress brought the meals back it was clear that she rode the extra mile to see that we enjoyed our meal. Each plate also had a piece of banana, and a piece of melon, and the french toast was garnished with confectionary sugar. It looked like breakfast at a five star hotel but it was five times less expensive than that. PS to Nick: It was better than the breakfast in Sabula, IA in ’05.

The next stop we had to make was at a super market (Marchie) as I was out of oatmeal for first breakfast. We also needed to find a bank to get some Canadian currency. Outside the market we met Jacques Trudeau. No, not the former Prime Minister but Jacque Trudeau just the same. Jacques was really chatty. Another man who knew him came up and gave us the talking hand sign, as if too warn us that Jacques would be chewing our ears off. Jacques told us that the French screwed the people in Quebec, that, the English got them, and that the Americans didn’t want them. That’s not quite how I remember it, but in each person’s mind perception is truth. Jacques gave us directions to the bank and then followed us there in his car to make sure we got there OK. When I turned around I was startled to see him standing there. I asked him if he used the tellaporter from Star Trek to get to where he was standing. He chatted with both me and Denny as we took turns going into the bank. He then gave us short cut directions and was still talking as we rode away.

The Prime Minister

Denny had mentioned to me a couple of times that he ordered a copy of “Camping Quebec” which is a campground directory of the Province. I know he was bummed that it didn’t arrive before he left. The skies although bright and sunny in the AM became overcast in the afternoon and as result the temperature which never went above 60 all day went down and I was getting cold. I told Denny that I needed a break someplace out of the wind (Oh yeah, they were cross to tails of 10 to 20 all day and somewhat bothersome with the narrow road and lack of sholders.). I saw an travel information building which was right near Canadian Highway 20 in Mont-Saint- Hilaire, and motioned that I was pulling in. Inside Denny asked the attendant (Catherine Plant) about “Camping Quebec” and she pulled out a copy from behind the counter and gave it to him for free. Smile number two on Denny’s face today. Denny went outside to look at the guide and I stayed inside and chatted with Catherine a while. I showed her the website and she said she would be following the trip. Catherine also helped me make a cheat sheet so that I can order my breakfast once we cross the St Lawrence River where very little english is spoken.