Christmas was nice with the family. There wasn't too much drama as there has been in the past. Carebear and I made Christmas dinner for our whole family...it was a great success, well either that or our family are great actors/liers. New Years was just as nice and relaxed. I didn't want to do the clubbing scene with my girl Lollipop so it was a chill night at Caramel's house.
As for the rest of my life, my break was filled with excrutiating pain and confusion. There were many times when I wanted to go back to my root of safety and comfort, but part of me wanted to venture out to the new prospect. I was torn between 2 journeys that each could be either great successes or failures. After a night of grueling torment of a decision that would have a huge impact on the rest of my life as I decided between staying in Toronto to try to work out things with the old or to go to Montreal and explore the new, I took a huge chance and chose to go down the new and unfamiliar path of what some may call, freedom. I went to Montreal with a relatively open heart and proceeded with the intention that I would take things slow, and use the time for reflection, as well as to figure out what it is that I wanted. I took the bus to Montreal from Ottawa (drove with my auntie who lived in Ottawa and came to T.O. for Christmas), and as I sat on that horribly long, stench-filled ride to the island, all I could think of was what to do and say when I would see MrCage. The anticipation and excitement of seeing him increased with every wrenching minute that went by, and running behind our scheduled arrival made the trip even more insufferable. I finally arrived at the Montréal Bus Central Station, and as MrCage's luggage was delayed at Le Gare Centrale, I decided to meet him at the train station. I searched through the tired crowd and could not see him anywhere. And then I heard his voice and as our eyes met, I felt an immediate sense of happiness and comfort. As I was unsure as to how I felt about him, seeing him made the doubt and uncertainty slowly disappear. It just felt great.
We stayed at L'Hotel Intercontinental (which was an incredible $440/night accomodation). The hotel was right across from the venue in which the Auto Show was held. I met so many amazing people during my stay in Montreal; A.C, F.J., C.P. & his sweetheart daughter and son, S.L., E.S., the list could go on and on. I didn't do much sight-seeing due to the deep-freeze the city was engulfed in. Temperatures of -45 with the windchill as well as warnings from doctors that skin would get frostbite within 5 minutes of exposure kept me in my cozy hotel room. We discovered a series of underground paths, that took to me a few malls, and so that kept me quite busy for most of my days. Our hotel was close to quite a few attractions, in particular, we were one block from Old Montreal. I ventured out a couple of days to walk the streets of Old Montreal, and found myself awe-struck by the magnificantly rich architecture, charming boutiques and restaurants, and fascinating art galleries (of which my sister would have been in sheer heaven if she had come with me). MrCage managed to get an exhibitors pass from A.C., and I was able to go in and out of the show as I pleased. On our first Saturday we went to a club called "Living", and supposedly we were on guest list. However, quebecors do things backwards, and being in the regular line up was more beneficial than being on guest list, for they kept letting the non-guests in first (well maybe I should also mention that some were paying the bouncers). We wouldn't have minded if the temperature wasn't hovering around -30, as we stood in line shivering. We finally gave up, even though we were next in line, and quickly ran to the next club, Le Belmont. The music started off with local beats, but then the mainstream hiphop and r&b came full blast and we all had a fantastic time. Great friends, good music, and lots of laughs (and for some, alcohol) was all that we needed to have fun.
I would like to return to Montreal during the warm summer months and explore its many more splendors of architecture and culture as it was difficult to enjoy walking through the city when my body was numb from the fierce cold. I had an amazing time in Montreal. All went smoothly except for one afternoon of tears, heartache, worry, and anguish, but I won't taint this entry with the details. However, with the strength and comfort from those whom I care and adore, I came to the realization of what I wanted and the path that I wanted to take. Thank you to all my new Montreal friends for making my trip memorable and so much fun. And a special thanks to, as F.J. so eloquently puts, l'enfant du soleil...for everything, it's with you that I feel happiest...with you it just feels right.
Until my next entry...peace.