Another perfect day in Paradise. We're in Montcalm, with Jean-Daniel and his two boys. Pascal happened to be watching his daily ration of television when I passed by, on my way to the rear terrasse to get in a little face time with my yoga mat. Displayed on the télé were the results of a poll in which the québecois were asked if they were going to celebrate Canada Day. What a surprise: fewer than 1 in 4 responded, "yes."
Why is that?
I've lived in two countries with a troubled history with les anglais, Ireland and well - Québec. OK, WE know Québec isn't really a country, but try telling these folks otherwise, especially on St. Jean Baptiste day! Rather than stating the obvious, I propose the reason lies more in the fact that when one speaks a different language, it fundamentally affects one's perception of the world. Put 6.5 million francophones in close proximity, and you have a 'national' identity apart from the rest of the country. I could offer endless examples of perceptual differences between the French and English languages, but you didn't sign up for a course, did you? Perhaps over a nice merlot would be more agreeable. Who's in? ;-)
So today is the day I became a mother. (The secret's out, Séan; I've been secretly celebrating that amazing experience every year, along with the fact that you issued from it!) And what am I doing to observe this day? I'm headed out to the Plains of Abraham to watch one helluva fireworks show...
Bonne fête, Séan! Je t'aime fort!
Bonne soirée!
E.
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There is another reason why we, Quebecers, don't celebrate Canada Day: we are just too busy moving... We set, on that specific date, a nomadic ritual.
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