a black out

It has been a black period blog wise. I have done plenty of fun things in Montreal but I have had to spend so much time in front of the computer because of work, that I lost the inspiration of writing my blog. I miss it however so I thought I would get back on track now that spring is here and summer around the corner. To end this blog black out, I will write about a fun experience we had last night with my hubby to be. He took me to a restaurant named oNoir. 

They have absolutely amazing food and what is different about this restaurant is that you eat surrounded by complete darkness, the entire time. You first get to a bar area where you see normally and choose what you want to eat and drink but then you step into complete darkness. You don't see a thing and you are served by a waiter who is blind. It's an amazing experience and it gives you something to think about and appreciate when you get back outside. A different world that we both really enjoyed to experience. It was a Saturday and a big group came in half way through our dinner, so it took away a bit from the peaceful feeling we were experiencing before. If we would have been in a normal restaurant, the noise the big table was making, would probably not have disturbed us as much but because we didn't see anything our hearing got more sensitive. 
We however loved our food and the waiter that we had. He did a wonderful job of making us feel secure and well taken care of. I will  certainly remember him much more fondly than I ever would when visiting a "normal" restaurant. It's a wonderful concept that at the same time gives jobs to blind people. Part of the profit of the restaurant goes to support local associations helping blind and visually impaired people as well. In other words it's a wonderful culinary experience that helps you to be a bit more socially conscious at the same time. I absolutely want to go back during a week day to experience a more quiet moment and a zen black out from the work week.
http://www.onoir.com/montreal/
  

a royal weekend

It was indeed a great day to fly and I had a lovely time in Sweden. Filled with splendidly great company, food and candy. I had barely taken my shoes off at my friend's place and I already had a glass of champagne in my hand and a bowl of candy. 

Being in Sweden is almost like being in Finland, except that everything is a hint brighter, lighter and prettier. These people really know how to take care of their gardens, houses and their own appearances. Lovely indeed.

My friend insisted however to cut off the cuteness with a walk up the military lane. To my surprise it turned into a very pleasant event as we met two locals walking their dogs. It was a father and a son, who knew plenty about Finland and we stood there conversing for a moment about both countries, some military facts from the history and speculations about the future. We came to the conclusion that as long as we stick together, we remain strong against the less beautiful neighboring country in the East. 

I can't remember the last time I have had such a nice conversation with strangers. In Montreal, people either want money from you or they want to know if you do drugs. I have never figured out if it is because they want to sell you some or if they want you to give them some. I tend to stay out of these conversations as I either way have absolutely nothing to contribute.

My Friend brought me to a fancy spot in the woods, a place known for their water. 
There was a little room made into a temple, where you could sit and meditate to the sound of nature with the presence of pure water. I loved this place. I wish more people would forget about worshipping imaginary Gods and instead concentrate on the very real, amazing source around us, the beautiful Mother Nature. She is magical in every possible way.  

At this place in the woods they have a luxurious spa, where we could sip on a glass of sparkling, talk and enjoy nature. 

In the province of Quebec, these kind of spas grow like mushrooms. They have strip clubs for men and spas for women. They are often called by names referring to Scandinavia, nordic countries or one is even called the Finnish spa. These spas neither allow alcohol in the jacuzzis nor conversations, so for me this spa in the Swedish woods felt really nice and different. We ended up this peaceful, aesthetic experience, with a tasty dinner at the premises.

My friend really made me feel like royalty during my stay and I came to regret the fact that I don't visit this country more often. An entire country where I can speak my mother tongue and be understood, that alone made me feel like royalty. 

A good day to fly

Today is a special day. I'm excited. So excited that I got up at five in the morning. I will be flying via Iceland to Sweden and tomorrow I will be sipping champagne with my best friend. I have been doing the traditional January without alcohol and last time I had a glass, it was a glass of champagne. 
My friend told me she has put a bottle in the fridge, she does not have to tell me what brand. It's a given. It needs to be the orange bottle.

I realized yesterday when thinking about my trip, starting with a visit to my friend and continuing with a visit to see my parents, that I will be meeting the most important people in my life within a few days. I feel lucky. Lucky to have these people in my life and lucky to know and appreciate their value. 
The relationship with my best friend is by far the easiest relationship that I have ever had and it has lasted for more than 20 years. I'm proud of our accomplishment, it's impressive to me. I only remember one incident when we were annoyed with each other. I'm sure she has been annoyed with me more than that but it's the only close to an argument we have had. The day she was annoyed with me, was a day in Spain when I was being extremely annoying because I was hungry and disappointed in the city of Bilbao. How we dealt with the situation was to sit in silence and read books we both had with us. After 30 minutes or maybe 45, the tapas bar finally opened so we got a glass of wine and some snacks and the argument was over. I wish more arguments in my life would have been so pleasant. I learned a lot during that silence. I learned that I was being childish, annoying and disrespectful. Silence is golden and so is our friendship. 

She is a more social person than I. I'm neither her best nor her longest friendship. I don't care. As long as I'm important to her, it's enough. I have never honestly asked myself if she is being a good enough friend, if she is staying enough in touch with me. Never. I do however ask myself if I'm a good enough friend to her and feel bad if I haven't been keeping in touch and shown her my support. I'm sure I have failed several times but she has never complained. I call that pure. That is how we are supposed to love each other but in most relationship we fail. A bit more than a week ago, I realized that I had been a bad friend and wrote to her "Happy New Year!" and asked her how she was doing. We spoke a bit and then she told me to feel free to come and visit. The next day I booked flight tickets and tonight I'm off. I'm happy, I'm exited, today is a good day to fly.

Allergic reaction to the new year

We are already over two weeks into the new year. It has passed so fast. For me 2017 started on a bit of a sad note. On New Year's Eve both me and sweetie were under the weather and it continued for a few days. We were watching a lot of nice movies however and didn't step outside for a few days. Only enjoyed the beautiful white landscape from the window as we got a lot of snow to the city.

On the 4th of January we were both feeling energetic enough to go skiing and after the ski we went to pick up a furry little friend that was going to stay with us for a week. I had looked so much forward to his visit and planned lovely long walks outside and fun visits to the few restaurants and cafés in town, where you can bring these lovely little creatures.

Here he is, my friend Meo. One sweetheart of a dog.

Our first day together we were walking for 5 hours none stop. It was -10°c and sunny so wonderful winter weather. 

Up on Mont Royal people were skiing. They had made nice tracks for cross-country skiing. Beautiful indeed.

On our third day together, I got my first allergic reaction of my life. I have a had a feeling of nasal blockage and runny eyes in spring sometimes, but nothing remotely close to this. It affected my breathing and my voice and finally covered my entire body with read swollen blister looking things, that I wanted to scratch to death.
Our adventures were cut short, I had to bring Meo to a close friend of his, where I knew he would be in good hands. I'm having a hard time digesting this information as my love for dogs is an extremely strong and powerful one. In the dog park, I had a few dogs all over me. They most have sensed my desperate enthusiasm to finally get to hang around them. I felt like I had reached my heaven and I wonder if my body was just a bit overwhelmed by it and in fact I'm not at all allergic to these heavenly creatures. I wasn't for two years, when I had one myself, so I'm just going to put this in the unfortunate incidents of 2017 folder and continue my allergy free life.