Retour au Québec - East becomes North

It's two days away from our trip up north to Québec. It feels odd to refer to Québec as "up north" since I have spent almost my whole life living further north. Québec, like Ontario, has always been "down east". I've got to get used to my new "placement"!

Regarding new placements, I'm officially moved into the new office!! I now have a private home - a giant step up from the cubes. Of course the unpacking...that's a different story.

I'm looking forward to Québec for many reasons. Of course the promise of a study abroad program is a big deal, but I'm also curious about the French. After returning from France, it will be a very interesting experiment to see how I (and Allan and Sophie too) feel about Québécois French. I am also very anxious to get a new look at their signs. In my Francophone Culture course this Spring, I gave some examples of the infamous Bill 101 - the controversial sign law passed in the 1970s requiring every public business to have a French sign (even English businesses). I will have my camera poised and ready for these examples of cultural conflict.

Other things I am on the lookout for:

1. English "contamination" or lack thereof;

2. Use of "tu" vs. "vous" in public settings

3. The prices of things. Coming from Western Canada, we usually notice a big difference between the East and West when it comes to gas, and restaurants in particular

4. Authentic materials - the bags are unpacked from France and ready to fill!!

5. The Canadian dollar - it will be good to see our brightly coloured friends again, although I do not miss the loonie and the toonie and their bulk in my wallet!

6. Canadian highway system - woefully inferior to the USA. We will have to gear up for this as we have pleasantly habituated ourselves to the American system.

7. The metric system - this won't be a problem. Not only do they use it in France, but I think it will be forever ingrained in my head since learning it as a "youngster". For Sophie, I think she will measure in inches as her default.

8. PHOTOS - need I say more?

A bientôt au Québec!