PERSONAL NEWS #34
Bonjour Mes Amis! It’s been a week or so since I returned from my vacation in the northern regions of this vast continent. Had a great time in Canada and got to take in the sites of the following cities ... Montreal, Quebec & Ottawa. The latter one being the capital of Canada. I must admit to being impressed with Parliment Hill and its surrounding busy streets. I really liked the Canadian people, except for that very rude woman who chased Josee and I through a vineyard. Ahem ... more on that later.

Don't worry ... won't bore you all with a lengthy, detailed ramble on my vacation. Hum, I'll try not to. Will put forth a decent, condensed version and hopefully more photos. Right now just have the one taken of me and my friend Josee at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency. Which is east of Quebec City in Beauport and also a short drive from the B&B we stayed at for a few nights. And so, without much further ado, my adventures in Canada.

Arrived at Penn Station [NYC] with enough time before my Amtrak departed at 7:45 Am. I did bring my passport with me for the border crossing. As I wasn't sure if a Driver's License would be sufficient. Had no troubles going into Canada, but coming back into the States, that was like being put through the goddamn Spanish Inquisition. Mon dieu!! The journey from NYC to Montreal is a long ride [ie: about $61 one way], but quite scenic, once you've past Saratoga Springs. Lake Champlain is quite large and very picturesque. Along the way one sees lots of fields with round bales of hay. Once you cross into Canada you encounter HUGE fields of lovely ripe corn with the occasional farm house, a few trees & a silo in the distance.

The train arrived abit late into Montreal, but Josee was there to greet me with her friend Melanie. We stashed my large suitcase into Josee's car before heading off to see abit of Montreal. Had a terrific Vietnamese meal in the Asian section of the city. It’s a warm Saturday evening and everyone’s out and about. Strolled afterwards down to the St Lawrence River and the old section of Montreal. It was great checking out the whole "scene". Then we jumped into Josee's car and back to crash at Melanie's apartment [which she shares with a few other groovy individuals] for the night. Apartments are soooo affordable. Hum, I wouldn't mind living and working in this city. Up early Sunday AM, as it was going to be a busy day. Around 8:45am Melanie, Josee and I headed out to visit Mont Royal. First we stopped at a bakery for some yummy danish and then another stop for liquid refreshment. Up on Mont Royal we ate breakfast "el fresco", then toured a large cemetery, hiked around the lovely park abit before reaching the summit and lookout over Montreal. We then dropped Melanie off at her place and said our goodbyes.

Back in the car Josee and I drove 2+ hours east to Quebec City. Reached the B&B in Beauport around 2pm. [Maison Ancestrale Thomassin B&B at 2161 Avenue Royal] Settled into our rooms, unpacked, freshen up and then head out again to explore old Quebec. The weather has gone from being sunny and warm the day before ... to being overcast, abit windy and rainy at times. [A side note: August 29th was the Protest March down in NYC. I was with my fellow Kucitizens in spirit & also wore my NOTOBUSH t-shirt.] We found parking, after much driving about, in Rue Saint Paul and set out to explore the area. Threw on hooded sweatshirts, as the weather was quite cool and windy. Had a late lunch at Buffets de l'Antiquaire and watched the closing ceremonies of the Athens Olympics on the telly. Afterwards we strolled the streets of old Quebec. Viewed the lovely Place-Royale, cable car ride up to area near Chateau Frontenac [very impressive], as well as look inside the fancy chateau. Walked up Rue Saint Louis and took shelter in Parc Chavalier du Moulin, from the rain, at the Parc Historical National Fortifications de Quebec. Before heading back to the car we viewed the Monestary des Ursulines. As the weather got worse [locals say it’s unusual for that time of year], we headed back to the B&B, stopping at an Asian buffet to get soup.

After a restful nights sleep was up early next AM and ready for a full day of exploring. Weather still isn't that great, but what the hell, can't let it stop us. A delicious, terrific breakfast at the B&B. A younger and older couple were also staying at the B&B [very charming folk.] My French isn't that good, so Josee translated abit for me. Bless her! After breakfast we made the short drive over the bridge to Ile de Orleans. We're looking for a particular old cemetery and even asked about it at the Information Center. Drove around looking for it, made inquiries on the way, stopped at a church & horse farm, even made a wrong turn and driving thru someone’s small vineyard. Very unpleasant. People all thought we wanted to locate Felix Leclerc's grave and we're like ... "who the f--k is he?!?" Apparently he's a singer from that area who died in 1988. From there we drove along Route 40 East to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre. A large, lovely cathedral paying homage to this saint [ie: miracles & shrine] who is said to heal afflicted folk. Back along Route 40 West we stopped to tour "Parc de la Chute-Montmorency" [photo below of Duchess & Josee at this impressive falls].


We took a fun cable car ride up a steep hill and then hiked up paths and stairs to view the "Chute" falls. Which are said to be higher than Niagara, tho not as wide. Even so, it’s still very impressive and makes quite abit of noise. Its now early afternoon and time to head back into old Quebec. Had a tasty lunch at L'Omelette on Rue Saint Louis and looked over "Le Soleil" newspaper. They had a great article on the Protest March in NYC and said that 400,000 people showed up to protest against the Bush regime. Awesome! Right on ... Buck Fush! Then spent the rest of the afternoon checking out local internet cafe, Hotel du Parlement, Parc des Champs de Bataille and a stroll along the whole length of the Promenade des Gouverneurs. Very enjoyable and would of been more so if the weather was nicer. Still overcast, windy, cool and occasional rain showers. Back at Rue Saint Jean we put more coins in the meter when it started to rain again. So we popped into Le Bistro for a leisurely drink, read another newspaper and check out Quebec men through open window onto the street. Some were dorks and others were total yummers. It stopped raining for abit, so off we were to explore some more of our surrounding. Many shops, boutiques and a really nice artist faire. Cap off the evening with a late dinner of delicious Cream Of Spinach soup. Bon Appetit!

Well, so much for a condensed version of my vacation. This is the end of part one and I'll have more tales to tell over next few days. Until then ... au revoir mes amis.

Chronicle Of A Life Untold
ALTERNET
by M.Shellenberger & T.Nordhaus
While Bush's life story is widely known, follies and all, in the public imagination Kerry's life appears to start at Vietnam, although his choices before that moment speak to his character. Read more at the following link:
http://alternet.org/election04/19857/

Democratic Challenger Jereski Condemns Corruption at the NYC Board of Elections and in the Maloney Campaign - Files Charges With Federal Elections Commission
Robert Jereski, candidate for Congress (Dem NY 14th Dist) filed corruption charges today with the Federal Elections Commission. Although the Board of Elections removed the Jereski campaign from the ballot on August 4th, in a proceeding marred by corruption and the disruptive tactics of Maloney's election team, his campaign is filing charges "to hold Maloney and the party machines in New York accountable". "Our complaint concerns more than my interest in representing the people of the Fourteenth District. We are confronting the political establishment in New York State which is undermining our Democratic way of life." Jereski stated. Timothy Gay, the Deputy Chief Clerk instrumental in making the final determination that Jereski was 4 (four) signatures short of the 1250 necessary to gain ballot status, circulated petitions for Jereski's opponent, revealing the notoriously incestuous nature of electoral politics in New York State. Micah Kellner, Maloney's campaign manager, is on her Congressional payroll, resulting in taxpayers footing the bill for part of her re-election effort.

"It's not just Albany that's dysfunctional" Jereski stated. "Maloney's team has run a truly undemocratic campaign for her bid to be elected to a 7th term in Congress. Not only are they denying the voters of the 14th District a choice, they have also used unethical and possibly illegal tactics to be reelected, without having to face a debate or Democratic Party voters in a primary." Jereski noted. Many Jereski supporters are continuing to fight through a write-in effort, upholding Jereski as a real Democratic choice to their neighbors in the general election. "When the voters learn about Jereski's plan to fight terrorism in collaboration with our allies abroad or to bring jobs to the District by attracting investment in research, development and light manufacturing of renewable energy technology, I am confident that they will vote for Jereski who offers a substantive platform and common sense policy solutions for voters to get behind." a Jereski supporter said. For background information on Robert Jereski and his campaign to challenge the Bush agenda and represent the people of the 14th District in New York see:
http://www.jereskiforcongress.com