First Canadian Winter Skiing

Today is finally the right day for skiing. I went to bed early last night. I wake up early in the morning - few minutes before eight. I see sun coming through the window. It is nine o’clock. I drive very excited towards Les Laurentides - mountains similar to Krkonoše or Krušné Hory. Les Laurentides have many ski resorts (http://www.laurentides.com/en). I chose intuitively place called Chantecler. Very good choice! Lovely smaller location (as Harrachov or Neklid in Krusne Hory).

My favourite slope http://www.laurentides.com/en/members/ski-chantecler

I started in the ski rental shop. The section of skis was wide, but I did not see latest models for experienced skiers. On the other hand I need to say, this location as very much focused on children and families. The selection of latest skies in Whistler in summer was much better. As I asked for longer ski, I got the longest they had - Rossignol edge (170 cm, price 26 CAD). Really good skier never complains about the ski - I can ride on whatever is available.

I can ride any

Next comes the ski pass. Skiing is, unless you are local and can use the discount for Quebec inhabitants, very expensive hobby. Locals have always better price. The same situation was in British Columbia. Here I made small comparison of ski pass prices and slopes length:

Chantecler - 4 hours - 45,28 CAD (approx. 32 EUR) - 17 km of slopes - it felt much smaller - 10 km?

Fichtelberg - full day - 25 EUR - 15,5 km slopes

Harrachov - full day - 22 EUR - 7 km slopes

Hintertux - full day - 47 EUR - 193 km slopes

On the top of the hill

I was very lucky with the weather, beautiful sunny, but cold, day. I was soon tempted to have something hot. Disaster! Spoiled by delicious Austrian home made dishes I struggle to choose. Soup and bred? Sounds good, but this is the result. Plastic.

Delicious! Delicious? NO!!!!

Advices for future - take your own snack and stop on the way back to Montreal in any cafe. You will definitely get fresh and delicious meal. It will be served on real plates and glasses, with metal cutlery.

Welcome at McSki. Fresh? No, frozen!

Summary - skiing in Canada is fun. Is it often sunny, so you do not need to suffer even if the weather is a little colder. Most of the time you will enjoy natural snow. Thank you Chantecler, YOU MADE MY DAY!

Todays French word:

sun - le soleil

Best BAGEL In The World

When I was searching what is special about Montreal I came across the information there is ‘war’ between Montreal and New York where the best bagel comes from. One of the ‘best bagel’ shops - St. Viateur Bagel (http://www.stviateurbagel.com/) - is situated in 263 St-Viateur street in Montreal.

The Bagel Shop St. Viateur

Myer Lewkowicz established the company in 1957, Polish man who survived the WWII and was some time as well arrested in concentration camp in Buchenwald. He came in 1953 to Canada, started to work in bagel shop and later, in 1957, together with Hyman Seligman and with his wife by his side, set up his own bagel shop.

Sesame Bagel

Today is the shop on St-Viator street open 24/7. At any time you can buy delicious bagel directly from the oven. Buying whole dozen could be dangerous. It is difficult to stop eating as long as you have some in the paper bag. Enjoy!

Todays French word:

delicious - délicieux

Lunch After School

As I did in Vancouver, I made small research on good places to eat in Montreal. By heart I started today with the Schwartz’s (www.schwartzsdeli.com). Canada's most famous smoked meat since 1928. Their menu is very simple - smoked meat, turkey, chicken, sausages, pickles, coleslaw and few other extras. This made me very curious.

First of all I need to say I walked quite a bit, almost 30 minutes from the school. The location is much more simple shop than a restaurant. The interior reminded me of simple Czech canteen before 1989. With one huge difference - the shop was full.

Busy place. No wonder, everything produced here is delicious. 

I am lucky and have seat right away. The system is ‘grab your chair and be happy to have one’. Service is quick with very special manner:

“Are you first time her?“

“Yes”

“You must have sandwich, pickle and fries. OK?”

“OK”

“Drink? Coke, diet, seven-up ...”

“Do you have Fanta?”

“Yes, we have jfdkaljk Fanta”

“I take that”

Fanta? Soda Mousse?
Ingredients: E123, E170, E321, E213 and few drops of grape juice.

The dink arrived first. The ‘jfdkaljk’ is not typing mistake, this is what I understood. I should have asked. Fanta Soda Mousse is disgusting. I know it is not polite, but try before you criticize. 

After drink shock I have received the food. Smells tempting. Looks good.

This is what you get - pile of meat.

First bite goes to pickle. Crunchy. Salty. Cold. Excellent! Fries. Fresh. Hot. Crispy. Meat. The best comes as last. Beef. Tender. Juicy. Lightly salted. Finely sliced.

YES! I was a little skeptical, but must admit this is the best smoked meat I ever eaten. Considering the fact I am from Czech republic - the smoked meat country - this is an immense compliment. I do not complain anymore not to have a choice and know what I have next time - salami sandwich, coleslaw and peppers. Before I share my verdict I have one big Czech complaint - they do not serve bier here. Big, big mistake, for a Czech visitor it is a TRAGEDY. Beer will fit here perfect.

My rating - great place to have lunch, be careful with drink selection and I bet you will come back. I will.

Todays French word:

lunch - le déjeuner

First French Party

My Friend GI, together with her husband M, took me to a party on Saturday night. It was my first really French party. I do not count those on Tour de France. Those parties were too international (the entertainment) and too English (the language).

Leaving the home

The evening started very romantic with heavy snowfall. We drove to Montreal downtown. Return drive was much more exciting, but we will get to it later. 

The party was charitable dinner to support young rugby players. It is true the French know how to cook. The dish does not look like superb and delicious but it was. 

Duck, sausage, beans and vegetables. JUST DELICIOUS!!!

We bought some raffle tickets. There was just one - first prize - few hundreds Canadian dollars. Nobody from our group won, so I do not know how much exactly. Pity. I hoped to pay my French lessons from that money. Next time. I am happy I did something for talented Canadian rugby players. If the raffle would go for young Canadian hockey players, I would never support it. Guess why?

We had lots of fun on that evening - special thanks goes to F. French people are amazing. F reminded me of my colleague JLB.  

Our French friend F

Despite the fact everybody spoke only in French I was never bored.  Trying hard to catch at least some of the content. And I did! Listen is part of my study. This was very attractive ‘listening’ lesson.

GI, M and FJ

Way back home. As we came out from the restaurant, the streets we just white, everywhere piles of show. I am still getting used to drive the Canadian style. More about it in one of my next blogs. 

White beauty

We found our home. Good night. 

Todays French word:

listen - écouter