Phone call needed? Blow yourself to British Columbia!

Totally excited by the services of telephone company WIND who operates in number of Canadian cities (among them also Vancouver) I started to look for a phone company in Montreal. Unfortunately there is no WIND in Montreal. Bad, bad luck.

http://www.windmobile.ca/

I have very clear needs - Canada calling and SMS unlimited, International calls for very good price, SMS international unlimited and Internet connection is advantage not necessity.

First I went to TELUS. Ups! Unfriendly, bored girl made me incredible offer - it would be cheaper to keep calling with my Czech phone.  

http://www.rogers.com/web/Rogers.portal

Next stop Rogers. Smooth start. The prices and conditions are a little higher than by WIND, but still very attractive. We started the contract procedure. It took quite a long time. Finally I have the SIM card, contract and can make phone calls. Very excited I tried to call myself (on my Czech number of course). Funny message in French?!? What? I tried again. Same result. The shop girl called me from her phone. The phone is ringing and she said with a smile: ‘no problem, it is working’. Suddenly terrified expression appears on her face. She starts carefully: ‘you know ... because ... you are new customer with no credit record ... you know ... aaaa ... you are allowed to make international phone calls only after three months. Which .... which is in ... from April 29^th’. Now, now I am terrified. We have spend almost an hour on all the administrative procedures to find out - there is no solution for me with Rogers. None! I go home.

You will not wonder - there is no third attempt to get a Canadian phone. I stick with my Czech phone and Internet. At least is free wi-fi available at most places I was in until now. BIG GRATITUDE!

Do not call me, stay in touch through Internet.

Todays French word:

phone - téléphone

French Teacher

If you want to learn something new, you primarily need a good teacher. My experience with learning French is very bad. All my previous teachers (male and female) were not very motivating. I remember my last teacher but I forgot his name. His lessons were endless. What did I learned? Nothing, I only recall the feeling of not being able to remember the word I have hear ten times five minutes ago.  Being very suspicious about my intention to finally learn this challenging language, I was curious who will be my teacher this time.

I met my teacher today. Please meet Thomas, my French teacher:

Thomas Faudon, www.thefrenchschool.ca

As you see his picture on the Internet website is very promising. My female friends are divided into two groups. Group one says - you are so lucky to have such a sympathetic and beautiful teacher; and the other group says - it is not possible to have such a sympathetic and beautiful teacher, either is his picture stolen from the Internet or he is now 20 years older ... and uglier. What is the reality? Come back for more stories and you will find out.

Todays French word:

teacher - enseignant

Landed in Montreal

Montreal. I am here. I am here to learn French. Fourth time starting with French, second time in Canada.

Montreal by Mathieu Dupuis

Since we Czechs do not need visa anymore (thank you negotiators who ever you are) the trip planning was quite easy. I have a week to accommodate myself, get rid of the jet-lag and get ready for the French lesson. Especially my brain may need some support. I appreciate any advice in comments.

Thanks to my friend I have beautiful place to stay in. Weather is very nice to me. Despite the terrible cold (yesterday -20^oC) we have sunny days. Winter looks beautiful when swimming in sunlight.

Todays French word:

cold - froid