That’s right…I’m in Canada! I arrived in Ottawa this past Wednesday and am staying through tomorrow morning for the Ottawa International Animation Festival! This festival is kind of a big deal. It’s the largest event of its kind in North America, and it features some of the best animated films made in the past year or so. Why am I here? Obviously because my film, Philip the Unlucky Jester, was selected as one of the world’s best, and I, the famed director, am here to receive praise and get signed by Pixar. Just kidding. I’m here with a couple other kids from the VES (read: fine arts) department at Harvard to get inspired by the creme de la creme in the animation world.
Speaking of French, the language is all over the place here! I didn’t realize how widespread its use was until I looked around and saw advertisements on the sides of buses that were printed exclusively in French. In restaurants, people converse more readily in French, it seems, than English. Yesterday I was sitting in the kitchen of the hostel where I’m staying (The Ottawa Backpacker’s Inn — really nice, actually! Not at all like the nasty hostels I’ve heard of) and this lady started speaking to me in French and I responded with an anxious “I don’t understand!” whereupon she agitatedly replied, “English SMALL!” and made like she was holding a small seed or button or something. We sighed and resumed our respective activities, she eating her salad and I attempting and failing to write my paper on Classical Chinese Ethical and Political Theory. A picture of my room (shared with 7 other girls) in the hostel:
And how am I liking it thus far?
- It’s too cold. I came here recovering from a cold, only to get more sick. I found myself unable to walk around outside without first donning my warmest winter jacket, gloves, a scarf, and a hat. Did I find Boston intolerably cold? This was much worse.
- Ah, but ze screeningz! How phenomenal! Basically I’m taking a vacation (minus my paper) in the movie theater. It’s like watching movies all weekend. Actually, not “like.” It is. So far I’ve seen about 60 short films and 4 feature films. And there’s still more to come :) Are they good? Hmmm, I would say I enjoy about 70% of the films I’ve seen so far. And even if I don’t like a film, I can usually learn something from it. I don’t want to put my top picks yet, because the festival is not over till tomorrow!
- I really enjoyed eating at this restaurant called Cora. It’s basically IHOP but much, much, much better. Everything is crepes and fruits and eggs and toast and apples sliced like wings! Amazing. Amazingly delicious! Too bad it’s only in Canada for now. I hope the US gets this chain soon :) Experience the mouth watering yourself: http://www.chezcora.com. Here’s a picture of their cute paper placemat:
- Last but not least, my friends and I stumbled upon a bakery that sells “Obama Cookies.” What on earth could these be?!??! See for yourself!! :D
Oh Canada….
HCLOVE