by cheri block
Le Judge and I fell in love with French Canada when we visited the Acadian part of Nova Scotia two years ago. You may remember that Le Judge thought we were traveling to the location of Annie Proulx’s amazing novel The Shipping News (Newfoundland). I thought I would see Carly Simon’s “total eclipse of the sun.” Instead, we feasted on the rugged Nova Scotia coast in the Clare District, dotted with flags, a rural vision where golden hay coils roll into the sea.
We returned to French Canada last week to celebrate our anniversary. This time, we ventured into the heart of Quebec–Montreal and the provincial capital, Quebec City. These vibrant riverbank enclaves, with the lifeblood that is the St. Lawrence River connecting ocean to lake and tugboat to barge, boast a bon vivant that rivals any proud European capital.
And where would a city be without its official representative?
Forget Pierre Trudeau! Forget Rene Levesque! Forget Jacques Cartier! Forget Samuel Champlain!
Remember Paul and Therese Costopoulos!
What are the chances in this expanse of people around the world that one blogger would actually connect with another? Or would want to? When Paul Costopoulos learned that Le Judge and Cheri were traveling to Montreal, he invited us to join him and his wife Therese on a driving tour, a lunch, and an afternoon drink.
We accepted, eagerly.
Here are some photographs that I took while visiting Montreal and meeting Paul.
We arose early on Saturday to conduct our self-guided walking tour. Note the multi-architectural styles in old Montreal.
On Sunday morning Paul and Therese picked us up at our hotel. Paul and I hugged each other; Therese and I hugged each other. Le Judge and Paul shook hands. And off we went to the Montreal Library.
I still cannot believe that Paul is 80 years old. His hands and arms are strong; his skin unmarked by weather. His intellect sharp as the 100 spires that reach to the Montreal skies. He is a kind man with a twinkle in his eyes. He’s smart and patient and funny and I might add, a great driver (thank God).
We headed to a very Francophonian restaurant for lunch, but before we arrived, Paul and Therese posed for a photograph in front of two of the thousands of “outside” staircases which characterize the housing architecture of this city.
All of this sightseeing and conversation made us hungry. Paul and Therese knew exactly where to stop for lunch. We all ordered crepes. Texas may claim the biggest ribs, the biggest hair, and the biggest blow-hards, but the biggest crepes are in Montreal.
After lunch, we all agreed that we had better do some walking.
At the park, Therese dispensed history lessons and Le Judge and Paul solved many of the world’s social problems. I meandered behind, trying to capture a sweet moment in time, one that would never happen again.
We ended our splendid day at the rooftop lounge of the Auberge Vieux Port.
As is my custom, I sipped on a chilled chardonnay. The bar did not have crab cakes!
Our magical day with Paul and Therese was almost over. We hugged and said “Au Revoir!”
Le Judge and I walked out to the port and looked back one more time before we left Montreal for Quebec City.
Next: Quebec City.
Thank you Paul and Therese. I will never forget you both!
Great post and pictures, Mrs Block.
I am very glad that you and le Judge met Paul and Thérèse Costopoulos. Yes, Paul is 80 years old: isn’t it amazing? I read with pleasure the posts you wrote about the Acadians and your husband’s origins. And of course I liked “Here in Nova Scotia, thanks to his wife, who interviews all people she meets (even the French!) with the precision of a sushi chef and the subtlety of a flirtatious glance, Judge LeBlah has reconnected with some of his people.” Also the funny end of the post, Mrs MacBlock.
But I’ve also remembered I had promised to give you news about my trip to Canada. I forgot. Shame on me.
Yes, I have been waiting for your news about your trip. I look forward to hearing from you.
Those posts written in Nova Scotia were good ones, I must admit. Of course, my brain was two years younger than it is now.
Oh how happy I was to see your blog in my email this morning!
Paul is just as I would have imagined. After reading a certain set of blogs for over a year, I suspect that in the real world we are much the same as we appear in our posts.
In ten years, those of us who have not yet met should chose a beautiful destination and have a reunion. (Yes, ten (10) years, maybe sooner – may we all be alive and well until then)
Proper punctuation is being used in honor of your meeting
We are honored, dafna!
You are an intuitive person. I am positive that your instincts are spot-on. I, too, have a sense about the character and soul behind the words. But I could be wrong. It’s happened before.
Thanks for your ebullient response. Makes me happy.
Dear Cheri, I’m honored and flattered at the way you write of me and Thérèse. It was a pleasure meeting you and the Judge and we enjoyed your company very much.
Until we meet again (I know that it is a song).
Paul
Hi Paul,
I am so sorry that I misspelled your last name. That letter “u” jumped into the last syllable.
I’ve made the correction for posterity.
Go in peace, I have seen much worse done to my name.
Tanks.
Cheri, it is very easy to misspell foreign names. In my silliness I was so proud to write Paul’s wife’s name like this: Therèse, but then I very recently realized, over at Paul’s, that the right spelling is ‘Thérèse’. Damn I said. So here at your blog it is the first time I write it correctly
Manius from Roma
Dear Manius,
I do not have those punctuation marks in my Word program. Or perhaps I do. But I am too lazy to explore how to find them.
Dear Cheri,
I don’t think the English keyboard layout has got such characters. They are more for French and Italian.
Google Translate has a virtual keyboard appropriate for the language you want to write in. It (the keyboard) is in miniature at the left bottom corner of the writing screen.
Indicate the relevant language, click on the miniature keyboard to expand it, and Bob’s your uncle.
Thank you, Philippe.
Your words and pictures tell how much pleasure you derived from your visit and how at ease you all are together. Proof indeed that true and lasting friendships come about through this medium.
Quite right Richard and they evolve even after false starts at times. When are the Manchesters coming to Montreal?
I feel the warmth of your invitation, Paul. It will be placed in my book of special treasures and precious dreams.
Good! Happy Birthday again! May you ride your electric bicycles up a very steep hill and live to tell about it.
I am still skeptical about this medium, if truth be told. But then, I’m an old journalism instructor and taught my students to retain their skepticism.
Your new gravatar is more likely to give me palpitations than the electric bike.
Why thank you! Try riding those bicycles up hill without the electricity for cardio!
absolutly, your new gravatar its so pretty.
Geez. Thanks.