Only in Canada, eh?!

With the close of the 2010 Winter Olympics, I observed a few things that were typically "Canadian." Here is my list:

Only in Canada...
... with a population of over 35 million people and approximately one quarter of those 35 mill. speaking French as their first language, do we make all Olympic announcements in French first. Come on Canada, the people of the world are going to think we are all fluent in French. They will be disappointed to discover most of us dropped out of French class in our first year of high school. However, they may be suspicious when they heard the CEO of the Winter Games give his closing speech. No offense, but the poor guy slaughtered the french language. Yikes! Don't get me wrong, I like french and I like the french speaking people of this great country. The fact that I persevered through high school french class until I graduated reaped its reward when I travelled to Paris a couple of years ago. I was thrilled I could carry on somewhat decent conversations with the Parisians. However, I think it was ridiculous that they made all the announcements in French first at the Winter Games. What was up with that, eh?!

Only in Canada...
... does a gold medal win of a hockey game between Canada and the U.S. of A. unite a country in a way like no other. Millions of people took to the streets in every major city of this great country screaming, cheering, partying. The excitement was contagious. I was at church last night and watched the game on the sound board screen until overtime. Then, right before the service started someone told us Canada had won and we all went crazy- in church- go figure, eh?! ( By the way, I wore my Canadian colours, gold medal necklace, and Canadian fleece jacket, which was handmade by the Inuit. Patriotic wasn't it eh?!)

Only in Canada...
... does the excitement of the new "Roll up the Rim" contest at Tim Horton's overshadow the close of the Olympics! We need something to help us live through the rest of the cold winter, eh?!

Only in Canada...
...do we get incredibly excited about the thermometer rising to +8C on a glorious, sunny, winter weekend. It's almost sunbathing weather. Imagine that, eh?!

Only in Canada, eh

Bonjours mes amies!

Here I am standing on one of the many cobblestone streets of "Vieux" - Old - Montreal, Quebec, last weekend!

Ready for a mid-winter break, I chose a colder climate rather than the warmth and sun of a more southern destination that most of my fellow Ontarians choose this time of year. It may have been a crazy decision but well worth the adventure. I chose a destination with a rich history here in Canada. In fact, it is where it all began for our country over 300 years ago. French explorers, Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain left their home country and landed in "New France" in the late 1500's, early 1600's.

Montreal is one of the first cities established in Canada. Of course the aborginal peoples were already here but these french explorers didn't know that and were thrilled they discovered this great country enroute to Asia! They had no idea there was a continent in between Europe and Asia! Montreal is a beautiful city and I had the privilege of visiting friends last weekend. I recorded my trip over here at my web album site.

I am house sitting for a month so am without internet ( ugh)! Right now I am sitting with my laptop at our public library trying to frantically download pics and write this blog post before closing time! I have made comments to go along with the pics so enjoy the adventure! It truly was wonderful and felt like I was in a different country! (French is the first language of Quebec and the official second language of Canada).

Joie de vivre mes amies!

Oh I should link another one of my winter "adventures" here. Check it out!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!

The "Eye of Belfast" at City Hall

The famous "Ulster (other name for Northern Ireland) Fry": eggs, bacon, sausage, potato bread, soda farls and tomato!
My maternal great- grandparents' graves in Antrim Cemetary. There were no markers but the caretakers were able to locate them for me! My great-grandparents died in 1921 and 1927.
The home farm of my maternal grandmother in Dunsilly, Antrim.
Thematic Photographic - Wood. This is the outhouse attached to the back of my grandmother's home farm!
My "bloggy friends" Ally and Cherith in Ballymena!
Cherith was an Eaton - yes she is related to Timothy Eaton, founder of Eatons department stores!My fantasy car...convertable Mercedes. It really belongs to my "kissing cousins!"

An 1800's Bandstand in downtown Belfast.
The new outdoor/indoor shopping centre , Victoria Square, in downtown Belfast.
Happy Canada Day! My Canada t-shirt and knickers are gifts from my friends Linda and Debbie! I wore them proudly all day! Thanks ladies!

The Crown Bar in downtown Belfast. The oldest pub in all of Ireland, established in 1849.

To my utter amazement, I found a Timmy's in Belfast at the local Spar shop on the Botanic Rd., which is a convenience store! Read the sign carefully!

A medium black, double cupped...it tastes just like home!
My "kissing cousins" enjoying Timmy's as well!

a true canadian icon

Only in Canada, eh!

I was working today for the Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle Campaign up at the LCBO. The benefit of this post for me is to be able to people watch! ( no, it is not the discount off the wine!!:)) I LOVE people watching! Many observations and conclusions can be drawn about the life people lead.

Today the cutest little boy slowly and carefully walked in holding tightly, with both hands, to a large Tim Horton's coffee. No parent was in sight. He smiled up at me and then continued walking into the store. Finally, his father emerged carrying his baby sister - with no shoes on! I overheard their conversation which went something like this:

Father: " Please give me my coffee."
Son proceeds to take a drink.
Father: " No, don't drink that...it's my coffee."
Father still struggling to put baby in the cart.
Son proceeds to take another drink of dad's coffee.
Father: "No, don't drink that again...please give me my coffee now."
Son: "But we are supposed to share with others."
Father: "Yes, but that is Daddy's coffee...please give it to me."
Son finally gives dad his Tim Horton's double double and climbs into the cart with his baby sister.
Dad takes a sip, smiled and says, "mmmm."

Only in Canada!!:)