'Always the left first' , Marc Andre said as he greeted me warmly in the cold Quebec weather. Kissing me fondly on both cheeks he left me wondering if I was in Europe or North America! But Quebec City in Canada is as French as you can get. I have been a frequent traveler to Europe and am used to the cultures and traditions practiced there. Experiencing a mix of the European charm with the infectious friendliness of the Canadians was very refreshing indeed. Marc Andre represents Montreal Tourism and after visiting the workshop in Quebec, I readily accepted a two day tour of Montreal as well.
By this time I was used to listening to announcements both in French and English in this French speaking area of Canada. If Quebec was historical and charming with its boutique shops and cobblestone pathways of the old city, Montreal was exciting with its share of skyscrapers, open spaces and sidewalks adorned with tulips et al. With so much joie de vivre in the city it is not surprising that Montreal is known as the festival city. I could almost feel the pulsating beat of |
this city as I sat down on a street café with a cup of cappuccino. Beautiful sunshine and a cool breeze made sure that all the street cafes were almost full. In fact people seemed to be enjoying for no reason. People were meeting and greeting each other with hellos and good byes and hugs and kisses. Montreal’s lively atmosphere was no surprise as this is the city known as the city of festivals with festivals ranging from the jazz festival to a comedy festival as well. I was promised by my friends at the Montreal Tourist Board that I would fall in love with the city and it happened as soon as I arrived. I loved everything about this city from the roads, shops to the city’s symbol which has kissing lips as a part of it. If Montreal had lips, then my next stop San Francisco had a heart that was on display in the city centre! As I sat in the famous Macy’s store with my ice cold coffee I could see Union Square below decorated with colorful life sized hearts. There was a wedding band practicing and people dancing to it. I made most of my free time across
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 the city going up and down the steep roads on the wonderful cable cars and tram cars. This was definitely a city I was going to lose my heart to. I was prepared for all the business meetings planned in the next few days but nothing prepared me for the big bear hugs I received from business friends I hadn’t seen for a long time. Letting go of the fond kisses of Canada, I was enveloped by warm hugs as I met my American friends. On the way back home I couldn’t help but wonder how two nations in the same continent were so similar and yet so different. What would be the best way to greet I wondered; the Kisses or the Hugs. But there was surely no debate as I got back home from my long trip and was greeted by my daughter with both hugs and kisses! |
