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samedi 12 avril 2008

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

What a grrrreeat outing we had !
Aside from the crummy weather, everything else was perfect : the activities, the atmosphere and the company. What a great gang !

It started with the McCord Museum ( beautiful by the way ) with its exhibition : Reveal Or Conceal ?
It was about fashion throughout history and what was considered sexy at the time and today.
We get to understand after the visit that before, the clothes shaped the body ( like the " S " dresses ) whereas now the body has to shape the clothes hence the pressure for the perfect body today.
The museum counts the largest clothes collection in Canada.
We had the chance to see beautiful, funny and downright weird pieces of clothing.
We got to learn how the first bikini got out , why wedding dresses are white, since when and how did this trend start , the different fashions of the different decades etc.
Bottom line : fascinating.
The guides were very passionate, helpful and fun.

Then we went to live an unforgettable experience.
We had dinner at the O NOIR restaurant.
The owner was just as friendly in person as on the phone.
With a 150 people waiting list, we were very lucky to have a reservation.
I really looked forward to this dinner but I must admit, I almost choked and have Paul take over for me.
I took a good breath and the bull by the horns.
I can do this I said.
And I survived.
Actually, we all did.
Well o.k, so Kathleen almost passed out, but I made sure she breathed and we had the chance to eat our dessert in tête-à- tête.
After a few minutes, she was fine.
What`s the deal ?
Well you eat in total darkness.
Yes ladies and germs, like you were blind.
Nothing, nada, niet, you saw nothing even if your life depended on it.
Whether your eyes were open or closed there was ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE.
Blind as a bat I say.
Our waiters : Ray and Christopher were very blind for real.
Great guys, so friendly.
Need I say they were not only our waiters but our lifelines.
Our only safe extension.
Leave your table on your own at your own risk honey.
The weirdest phenomena occured right after everyone was seated ( that alone took 15 minutes ! ) was everyone was shouting.
Here we are sitting at a table, side by side, in front of each other and we`re all yelling at each other.
I turn to Paul and aked him : Is it just me or all we all shouting but yet we`re so close our shoulders touch ?
You`re right he says, weird huh ?
We spoke to the owner afterwards and said we were perfectly normal.
All the customers do that : we overcompensate for our lack of sight.
It was a very sensual experience.
We could order what we desired on the menu or live dangerously and order the SURPRISE main dish or desset.
What it means in reality is that you get your plate and have no clue but figure it out as you eat.
Another strange phenomena : try using a fork and knife when you can`t see a bloody thing.
After a few minutes, we called it quits ( including myself ) and basically ate with our fingers !
What a great guilty pleasure- and nobody sees you.
Eating with my fingers gave me flashbacks to when I was a kid.
How quickly we forget how much fun it really is !!!
To put on my to-do list more often.
But never in front of my kids.......They`ll bring it to a whole different level and start playing baseball with their food. I just know, trust me.
Did I mention the food was FANTASTIC ?
We had filet mignon that just melted in your mouth.
Didn`t really need a knife to begin with so much it was tender.
I ordered the surprie dessert and had a chocolate mousse cake that was simply divine.
I should know, I`m an expert in chocolate mousse cake.
I go to CMAM`s regularly : Chocolate Mousse Anonymous Meetings.
All that to say you should have seen the look on my kids face when they got out of there.
Superlatives just rolled out of their mouths.
" You have to come back next year with your students ! " they all said.
This WAS a first time for all of us and what a great and special meal.
I respected the blind before but there`s a deeper understanding of the respect now.
Wow.

Then after a brief moment at Starbuck`s just across the street from the restaurant, we get back on the bus.
Destination : The Centaur Theatre to see a play.
The title was : The Mystery Of Maddy Heisler.
For some students I must admit it is still a mystery because they had a bit of trouble understanding the play.
Darn that Nova Scotian accent !
And they spoke fast.
I have to admit the accent had some getting used to, even for me.
Don`t you fret, I shall get everything back in perspective on Monday.
I have to mention our bus driver.
Man, if Santa Claus really existed, it`d be him!!!
He looked just like him ( without the beard ) I tell you.
He was the sweetest man I`ve ever met and that smile.
One million dollar smile.
He was so relax and nice.
He even offered me his cookie after mine crumbled all over the bus floor.
I did tell him and apologized about that.
I didn`t know if I wanted to sit on his lap and give him my Chritmas list in advance or ask him to adopt me as his granddaughter. Seriously.
So without further ado, here are a few pics.
Didn`t get to take much since we had such a tight schedule to respect.
Enjoy.

Tata darlings and to my kids in Sec.4 who came to Montréal: Thanks for the great day.
You make it worthwhile.


PS : Paul and I are so gonna knock your socks off with the next activity day !
We were quietly talking on the bus on our way back when : BOOM.
That`s a very good idea we said.
To be continued.
We need to check a few things this week.
I`m looking at May 15th.
Block it now in your agenda darlings.
Now, enjoy.












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