So last Friday night I went to my very first hockey game: the Concordia Stingers vs. Queen’s Gaels. Although I didn’t see any actual fights taking place it is most certainly a violent game where the players spit all over the place, sticks can get broken and pucks can get knocked out of the area (one of which I ended up taking home! Well, technically an old man caught it first but when I approached him he said I could have it instead. I promptly had it lathered and washed when I got home).
I only stayed until the second intermission; it’d looked like the Stingers were losing by that point at 3 to 0, and I had stuff I needed to get done. Unfortunately they did end up losing at 6 to 2 according to their online scoreboard. Apparently they haven’t been doing too well over the past few weeks. Oh well. There’s always next time! Maybe then Graham will go with me. It was lonely not having him there to talk to.
The Stingers’ mascot among the fans. I asked him if he was a bee or a wasp; he told me he was a bee.
Saturday another unthinkable happened: I lost my debit card. What a bone-headed thing of me to do! Somehow I forgot to take it out of the ATM after I got my money and by the time I noticed it was gone and returned to that same place it wasn’t there anymore. I checked with the security guards but they denied anyone turning in any cards with my name on it. While I panicked for about two minutes, I got my bearings together and called my mom, who directed me to the Cardholder’s Service. I had the card shut down immediately and I am currently waiting on my new one. Oh, was I steamed! What made this especially ironic is that about an hour before I realized I didn’t have my card, I’d chewed out Graham when he told me about how he almost lost his wallet and everything in it at the Metro on his way to meet up with me. I’m grateful he didn’t rub that in too much. In the meantime we’ve got my good old mom on both our accounts so we can still make transfers and I can still get at my money.
I guess my brother’s right: everybody makes mistakes like this. But as long as you know what to do and have the foresight to prepare before you go, it wouldn’t be fair to let setbacks like this ruin your weekend.
Speaking of, the main event on Sunday. CISA rounded us up at SGW and we headed off to Quebec City for the Winter Carnival, an approximately three-hour drive from Montreal. Before we reached the city though, we first stopped to see the Montmorency Falls at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency (Montmorency Falls Park). We only stayed long enough to get pictures of the falls and throw snowballs at each other so no taking the lift, but it was worth the stop! God, I love the snow! Even if it is slippery and hard to navigate through.
Next we got into Quebec City.
A shot of Parlement, where we were parked for the Carnival. QC looks even more antique than Montreal!
We only had three hours so we spent our entire time horsing around at the Carnival.
By the way, this is the creepy snowman mascot Graham was talking about; his name is Bonhomme Carnaval. No, we didn’t see him; this photo is from the website (http://carnaval.qc.ca/en/about/traditions-mores/bonhomme-carnaval/). We are planning to come back to QC during the break for the final days of the festival though, so maybe we’ll see him then! Personally he reminds me of the Pillsbury dough boy. Maybe they’re cousins?
Graham adores penguins. Though technically this is a puffin. The Carnival had many very impressive ice sculptures on display! Below are my favorites…
We were a bit held up because a couple of girls didn’t get on the bus in time so our visit to the Ice Hotel was kind of rushed. But don’t worry; I had enough time for some photos! This place is GORGEOUS! And one of the most creative things I’ve seen in my life. The rest of these photos are from the hotel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI8-tMcGsRI&feature=player_detailpage
It was an awesome day (despite, you know, the debit card). I can’t wait for the break to start so we can go back!
Until next time…