Jo May

1. Spring has sprung!
One of the wonderful things about travelling for a decent interval in the northern hemisphere is witnessing the seasons change. For us the coming of spring has been quite miraculous. Where once the forests looked like death camps for trees other than the evergreen pines, they have now sprung back into life with the most glorious dense apple green. This is turning the harsh winter views into gentle vistas.

2. Of Supermarkets
Just as we have Coles and Woolworths in Australia, in Canada you have Sobeys and Atlantic. Latterly Walmart superstores are trying to elbow them out. In Australia we are Woolworths people, but here we have become Sobeys people although we have tried Walmart. Sobeys sliced artisan bread is lovely! These shops are very like our supermarkets, only bigger. Aesthetically utilitarian and ugly, the one big difference is that they have a working pharmacy in the middle. But without doubt the most aesthetically pleasing supermarket until just today was in the ugliest town - Drumheller. There at Fresno Brothers, they had made a real effort to beautify the place. There was a cafe behind a floral screen where the local old boys were having their morning coffee; there were decorative floral displays on the ends of aisles and not all aisles were symmetrically laid out or of the same height. There were actual displays of different types to tempt buyers with little delights. This same approach was replicated today at the IGA store in Rivière. I just love this approach to shopping for food and our supermarkets could make an effort in this direction.

3. Language matters
Quebec province feels like another country, not Canada in some fundamental way. They speak French exclusively, and what is more, they expect you to speak French too. We were warned of this by a Canadian woman in Saint John. She said that they will switch to English once they hear you try to speak their language- unless you are American! But, like the French in France, they like you to try. All over Canada, the road and other signs are bilingual: English and French. But in Quebec Province they are only in French. This speaks to their particularly proud francophone identity. In fact Quebec has voted in the past over leaving in the Canadian confederation- but the proposition failed to get the required number of votes. Having been here in Rivière-du-Loup only a few hours, we have had nothing but courtesy and good humour from everyone we have met as we mangled their mother tongue.Read more