Alrighty, so it’s been a busy last couple of days. This past weekend my friend and I travelled to Quebec and Montreal to see one of my favourite musicians (Chuck Ragan) play a show. So here is Quebec trip 2011 with Krystles.
Thursday I was awake at 3:45am...I was not the happiest camper to be awake that early but I was excited! (Did you know the sun rises at 5am? I do now) I was at Krystle’s by 5:30am and away we went. I really can’t remember any of the first 400klm of the trip, I think I fully woke up somewhere in the middle of New Brunswick. Once we hit Quebec (is there no welcome to Quebec sign?) I wish I had paid better attention in French class as the signs were a little confusing.
First night in Quebec was a write off. Krystle and I took turns driving and it took us 11 and a half hours to get there (pee breaks included). Thanks to Stella (the name for my GPS, because everyone should name their GPS) we arrived safely. The first night we went out to dinner at a pub around the corner and we had terrible service and food but we were so tired we didn’t care. (Editors note: the people we met in Quebec were amazing, so nice and always helping us out this was the only terrible experience) After dinner we walked down the street and picked up a bottle of wine, then went back to the hotel had one glass and passed out.
Day 2: We were out the door by 9am and thanks to our hotel’s concierge who was the sweetest girl ever! She gave us a map and drew out our route. So we hopped on a bus (which for those of you who know me, I’ve been on a bus now 7 times my entire life) and up to old Quebec we went. It is sooo beautiful! LOVE that place! We walked around, shopped, ate at a cute little pub and had an amazing time. I learned if you look at a sales clerk shocked and confused they'll switch from French to English.
After shopping all morning we made our way back to the hotel to get ready for the show then headed to the venue to eat dinner. We were early, and after dinner we went into the bar but no one was there. The bartender came over and talked to us for a good half hour (super nice guy) then we decided to find beer and go back to the hotel to wait. Lucky Quebecers sell their beer at convenience stores which was right beside the bar.
Anyway by the time we went back to the venue the crowds showed up and we were lucky enough to get a table. I went to to the merch table to buy a t-shirt and the fiddle player (John) was selling them. I chatted with him for about 20mins about everything, from us travelling to Quebec to see them, to music and whatnot. He was awesome. Throughout this whole time Chuck was walking around so I finally mustered up the balls and asked him and Dave Hause for a picture, they were super nice and said yes.
Since this post is getting far to long I’ll cut to my favourite part of the entire trip. Chuck was just starting his set and we managed to get the front row. I’m standing there when two guys push their way beside me and start yelling. Mad I crossed my arms and made a angry face. Then one of the drunken guys looks at me and speaks broke French in a Scottish accent. This is where I pulled out my “jes napa pau france”...a little stunned the drunk Scottish/French guy asked me where I was from, I replied Nova Scotia, then he asked if I came all that way just to see Chuck and I said yes. Then he’s like “do a shot!” I nicely declined the offer as I was already a couple of beers in and I wanted to remember Chuck.
The next thing I know the guy leaves comes back with two shots and leans and asks me my favourite song is, I replied "Bleeder". The next thing I know he’s yelling at Chuck to come over to us, Chuck looks and then does walk over. The drunk guy hands Chuck a shot then one to me and replies “Sing Bleeder to her! She came a long way just to see you!” Chuck looks at me, we cheers, take the shot (which burned like hell because I don’t drink Whiskey) and then he walks back to the mic and starts playing Bleeder! the front row of people (who watched all of this) moved me to the center of the crowd and Chuck sangs Bleeder to me. That was the best moment ever. I was one happy camper. The whole trip was worth it in that 4minutes. Also after the show, Chuck gave and signed the setlist for me. I’m too lazy to write about Montreal right now, day 3 and 4 will be the next blog post.
