How do you say...?

We are in Montreal…we arrived yesterday afternoon, with our stomachs incredibly empty and growling to be filled (thanks Air Canada for removing the complimentary meal from the flights), and not really knowing if our friend was going to be there to pick us up. Now, I have to admit, I was pretty nervous upon arrival. It wasn’t just that I don’t speak the language, but it’s that I’ve heard stories about a general animosity towards Anglophones. Our friend did happen to be there to get us (thank God, because we didn’t bring his number), and our first adventure took place in the A&W. Vincent walked up to the counter and announced in French that we weren’t from here and didn’t speak the language and that we were now going to order. At that moment, every single person in the kitchen (roughly about 10-12 people) came out and stared at us while I feebly attempted to ask for a teen burger combo. I had never been so uncomfortable! Then, as we were leaving some of the people inside came to the window to watch us go. I couldn’t believe it!!!

Then last night I thought I would be a bit braver and order completely in French. I confidently asked for “Chocolate Chaud” in my best French accent (that I had asked Vince how to say beforehand). The girl surprisingly knew what I was asking for and proceeded to ask me if it was to stay. I replied, “Oui” (that’s yes for all you non-French speaking people). Then, to my dismay, she rattled off a long string of what I believe to be words, and then expected some kind of response from me. Shoot! I stared blankly at her. My cover was blown! Next thing I know, she asks “English?”…after the nod of my head, she then begins to speak fluently to me in my mother tongue. I couldn’t believe it!!! We all had a good laugh, and I think at the end of the day she appreciated my lame attempt, and my butchering of her beautiful language.

Anyway, we have seen some of the sights…we went to Old Montreal last night, which was incredibly beautiful, and then went to the underground mall today. It’s bleeding cold here, and it snowed about a foot this morning. Only one more day until U2, and I really think that’s all that Carmen can think about.