Oh Canada, eh.

Doug, one of Murray's best friends from grad school got married last weekend in Montreal. His hip and beautiful new wife Andrea is originally from there. They live in Santa Cruz, CA where he is in telecommunications and she is a professional chef who owns a catering business and cooking school.

The non-Dramamine bumpy flight there was a little more than I was hoping for, and unfortunately caused a lot of Braxton Hicks, but I survived and was glad I had 3 days to recover before another flight back. When we exited the airport I immediately started to swell. Geographically challenged me didn't know Montreal was a port city. My Lord was it humid! And because it's freezing there most of the year, they do not have A/C. Anywhere. All the taxis rolled down their windows for "air", the restaurants are all open air indoor/outdoor cafes, and the stores were mostly outdoor markets. Everyone kept commenting that being from Texas, we must be used to this weather. Not really...we have A/C!

We were the first of Murray's friends to arrive Thursday evening, so we just walked around the neighborhood near our swank hotel and had dinner at a great Thai restaurant. I know...we go to Canada and eat Thai. What can I tell you, I'm loving spicy foods these days.

Friday was a double decker bus tour of the city. Since we haven't seen most of these people in 2 years, we spent most of the time talking, so I can't really tell you anything about Montreal. Oh there was a church (Notre Dame), I remember a stop in China Town where I ate a coconut cake thing (it was good), there was something about Cirque Du Soleil (it started there and there's a school), apparently Ben Franklin lived there just before the Revolutionary War, and then we got off the bus in Old Town Montreal. I'm a bad tourist.



Old Town Montreal


Old Montreal was nice. Very European with it's cobblestone streets and old stone buildings. We took the Metro (non-air conditioned) to a food market where Andrea gave us a tasting tour of her favorite Montreal delicacies (her word, not mine.) We tasted local fruits, cheeses and breads. Of course some Maple stuff and pastries. Wow the pastries! When we entered the (non-air conditioned) meat market my nose and stomach told me it was time to go. Murray and I headed back to the hotel for a rest in our air conditioned room!



Food tour at the Market



Friday night was the welcome cocktail reception at the posh indoor/outdoor bar of our hotel. It was all black and white and green with chandeliers, sofas, and a lit up bar. I felt so 25. I turned into a pumpkin around 10:30, but Murray stayed out with his buddies. After the bouncer at the hotel dance club told them the crowd might be a little young for them, they headed to a local club for an impromptu bachelor party. He dragged his 41 year old tired self back to the room just before 2am, complaining the music was too loud and the kids were too young at the dance club. Hee-hee.



Murray and friends



Me and the girls


Saturday morning a few of us headed back to Old Town for brunch. I was thrilled that some of my high school French came back enough to read the menu. Of course Todd who is fluent in Spanish, French, and speaks a little Japanese, had no trouble. Neither did Mimi who speaks French, Italian, Spanish, and Mandarin. At least Murray only speaks English and Spanish so he was a little impressed with me. Intimidating group let me tell you. I quietly ate my eggs and wondered about the cover of this week's People mag, as they discussed the political upheaval in Iran, North (or was it South) Korea's nuclear intentions, and that North (or was it South) Carolina senator (or was it governor) who messed around on his wife with his Argentinian mistress and sent dirty emails. Ha, I know THAT one will be in People!

The wedding and reception were in an old factory converted into a artsy space. Lots of levels and porches and art displayed...but no A/C! Are you seeing a theme here? Doug, who is one of the funniest guys I know, wrote the most honest and loving vows with not one joke inserted. Me and my pregnancy hormones went through 3 tissues. Andrea, who is usually his "straight man" was funny and clever, and got a 2 tissue response herself. After he kissed the bride, a gospel choir sang "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher" and led the guests outside to release butterflies. Back inside we were served awesome hors devours and were entertained by performers from Cirque Du Soleil. What a hip wedding! We enjoyed catching up with our friends, all the incredible food and entertainment, and I even danced a little in my high heels, until I hit my limit at 12:30am.



At the wedding



Doug and Andrea



The guys goofing around




So tired after the wedding



The next morning we all met for Montreal's famous bagels (didn't even know Montreal was famous for bagels) and took one last hot taxi ride to the airport.

It was so great to see the boys when we got home. We really enjoyed ourselves, but we hung up our passports for the year. As I sit here typing, and my on board passenger does jumping jacks on my bladder, I'm thinking that passport may get a little dusty before it sees day light again.

~J