Amidst Mist on Laurentians

It was yet again Dominic guiding us around the landscapes of the Laurentian Mountains. The weather forecast warned us of a bad day ahead, but the warning was not to deter the spirits of 13 Indians determined to explore the Autumn colours of Canada on the heights and valleys of the Laurentian Mountains.

It was misty with a light drizzle to start our journey. The meandering roads, light showers and the mist on the hilly terrain of Laurentians, reminded me of my golden days at school in Mount Abu; it was nostalgia for me. The colours of the fall season began to show up as we drove along, amidst the mist. It was like brush strokes gliding onto a canvas, glowing with autumn colours, dotting the horizon with reds and oranges against a misty blue sky.

A few stops on our drive to

spot a remarkable lake jetty

To feel and smell the colours of fall

At a silent waterfall where a couple was celebrating their 40^th wedding anniversary all by themselves. May be it was the place where they met for the first time!!!

Final stop was at Mount Tremblant (pronounced as MO TREBLA in French); the highest peak on the range. The village here was like a town I used to imagine while reading the Fairy Tales during my formative years. The village’s edifice is coloured in blue/red/yellow/orange, perfectly complementing the colours borne by nature. (Surprisingly the property rates at a small village here are more expensive than the prime area at Downtown Montreal!!!!!)

A late afternoon beer followed by Italian lunch gave us enough fuel to last for the entire day. A ride up on the ropeway, adventure trail down the hill on a bike, followed by jumping around the place with all the youthful energy marked rest of our day. It was tough, returning back to the city with colourful memories and memories to cherish.

========================

"Dhillon Brothers Grocery Store"- Jean Talon, Montreal !!!

Our grocery is usually at a store called "Noor" on St. Catherine street, owing to the proximity of this store from our apartment. Owned by a Muslim couple, a Pakistani lady and a Surti uncle, they speak the most refined version of Hindi I've ever heard in my life.

The other option with us though is to take the metro to an area called Jean Talon, primarily inhabited by people of Indian or Pakistani origin. A grocery store by the name of Dhillon brothers, owned by Kanwaljeet Singh Dhillon. A man 6'4" in stature, as broad and hefty as Triple H (of WWE fame), a typical punjabi accent, with the signature bhandcho in each of his statement. His visiting card reads that he is the Vice President of the store. Our first visit to that store left us wondering on what would his designation on the visiting card mean.

It was only until yesterday, that the mystery revealed... yesterday night my fren's craving to linger his taste buds with south Indian cuisine, saw us at jean talon.. after a stomach bursting round of South Indian platter, we paid a visit to Dhillon brothers grocery store, to stock grocery for the week. This was our second visit to the store and i just had wondered to strike  a conversation with our Kanwaljeet Singh Dhillon, when the man started with a greeting in his Punjabi accent.  I am trying to replicate my conversation with our man to make it sound the way it went: (am typing the Hindi version and particularly the accent in which he spoke)

Me- Aapke pas forzen chappatiyan hai?

Our man- Nai.. abbi to nai raakte hain ji.. thodde din baad rakhange ji. woh rendovation kaarke space bandaenge.

Me- Kya hai na ki rotiyan baanane me taklif hoti hai.

Our man- Oye seekh jayoge ji.. aapde aap aa jayega.. hum bhi aaye the jaab kuch nahi aanda tha... sab sikh jjate hai..

Me- aap kab aaye the idhar

Our Man- aaaare hum to ship mein aaye the punjaab se..  bhandcho, koi paper waper nahi tha.. nevyoork aaye the.. thodda kaam kaarke paisa kaamayaa phir idhar ko aa gaye.. aaj tak ek bhi daafa scool nahi dekhi.. jindagi mein kaabhi bhi nahi gaaye......
 
then it followed by a blabber of how other ppl here landed and how it was practically impossible for a punjabi to get a visa... the number of punjabis around who are millionaires and still don't have legal documents for their stay in Canada/US ... how the youth of Punjab is in the trap of smack.. and how biharis are settling in Punjab etc etc... in our talks he seemed to get pretty impressed with us.

Me- aacha ji aapke pas roti maker hoga

Our man- hai nda ... aap to aise hi lde jao ji ...

Me- aare nahi.. jitna ho bata dijiye..

Our Man- Bidlkul nahi ji.. aap se kya roti khande waste pisa loonga.. aab to bilkul hi nahi lunga..

..and he packed the roti maker labeled to be worth 60 Canadian Dollars (approx 2500 INR) for us.. and he gave it to us as a gratitude.. HUH.. believe that!!!!

As I stumbled out of the store.. had just one question in my mind.. WHY DID HE GAVE IT TO ME FOR FREE???

didn't figure out an answer for that yet..

but ya.. I got the answer to his designation!!!!

===========
 
to follow- snaps of our trip to Mont Tremblant..

Quebec City - a seduction tour

The cradle of french civilisation in North America, Quebec City is among the most 'romantic cities' across the globe.

More info about the city: http://www.quebecregion.com/e/

Keen to learn about the history of the city, we set out on a guided tour realising at the end of the day that it was more of a seduction tour than anything else. We were left with the thoughts of spending a day more at at the city.. I will come back but not alone this time..

The romance in this city can be felt in the air one breathes. No doubt, it is said to have been the scene of first French Kiss on this continent.

And ya btw.. hindi movie bewafa was shot in Quebec city.

Champlain christened the city as KEBEC which means place where river becomes narrow, and thats how Quebec gets its name.

Pont de quebec and Pont Pierre- laporte
proclaimed as national historic site, Pont de quebec is the longest cantilever bridge in the world. apparently the cental span collapsed twice during construction.
behind the pont de quebec is Pont pierre laporte, the longest suspension bridge in canada.

During the time of Louis XIV, the square was originally used by traders for fur trading. It was in ruins untill restored in 1992, and the Statue of Louis XIV was erectecd in the centre in his honour. Its more of a tourist attraction now.

A view of the erstwhile Champlain Palace, now Hotel Chateau Frontenac, from the foothills of the Quebec City.

Quebec city is a great place for art lovers. the wall painting above depicts Quebec and its history. It has been given a breathtaking 3 dimensional effect. However, it took just three weeks to paint it, casue the painting was fist projected on the wall and then it was painted.

The musicians arcoss streets add a charm to the city, fusing in romance in the air. I did miss being without my love here.

The red indians attacked the city in their canoes with the britishers in
1759 and captured the city from teh french. There are shops which sell the memorabalia of red Indians.



A 20 minute stop at the Montmorency falls wasnt enough for us to admire the beauty of these falls. Apparently these falls are higher than the Niagra falls.

A Japanese park at the Quebec city.

The aquare atop the hill in quebec city is a place for tourists and artisans showcasing their talents.

Chateau Frontenac

After skiing, sailing is the secong most famous sport in the Quebec region.

These canons have a lot to say about history and the times it has stood to.

streets of quebec city

Glass manufacturing factory

Returning back from Quebec City with the feeling of AHHHH in my heart i made a promise to myself to come back to this city with my Love. Can't express how much i miss her here.

Festival Western de Saint-Tite ---- an explosion of adrenalin!!!

Indians believe in planning at the ninth hour. We being none others , displayed a perfect exhibit of the quality as we were discussing plans for the weekend on teh Friday evening. Once the plan was made, the decision on renting a car being in the doldrums ensured a whole Saturday sitting at home. Finally we rented a car and downloaded the maps to head for the western festival of St Tite, as recommended by a colleague. A perfect day and a perfect trip.

The mercury fell a bit as we drove towards our destination, me playing the role of a navigator. With the onset of fall the drive was beautiful with trees begining to change their colours.



4,000 humans inhabitat the city of Saint Tite and the festival ensures atleast 500,000 humans flocking the town. Saint Tite, the "leathertown of Quebec" specialises in transformation of leather and manufactures products of leather. The leather industry is the basis of the Western Festival. G.A Boulet Inc . specialists in western boots, organised a Rodeo day as a 'publicity' strategy. This was in 1967 , and since then the festival has only gained mass and popularity.

"Boulet Boots" - cowboy boots

The town of Saint Tite is full of festivities with live music, mouth watering food stalls and flee market.

As a part of the festival, the locals of Saint Titte participate in a rally along the streets of the town in taditional "cowboy/western culture". A colourful rally marked by beautiful people .

===============================

The RODEO at Saint Tite

It was an experience of our lifetime watching a live rodeo.... some breathtaking stunts. Have a dekko....

Bullriding

Above three snaps- Bareback riding

Above two snaps- a team of two cawboys.. one comes riding on the horse and the other has to climb on the racing horse.

Above three snaps- Calf leashing

Bull Fighting

===================================================================