Single-serve acquaintances. They are the kind of people you meet, you hang out with and you leave, with no sense of profound connection or even a shared experience that you will remember. They are just the kind of people to fill the oxygen space next to you though you may find them terribly entertaining at the time.
The following photos are not those kind of people. I have met plenty of people on this trip so far that do fit the above description. Every so often you find a few gold nuggets amongst the fools gold. Laura from Texas, a geologist living in Calgary was one such girl. Nic from Dublin was another. Together we three hiked some spectacular waterfalls, laughed our way through the old town and had the best value and one of the most amazing sit-down 3 course Sunday lunches I have ever experienced. AND they didn't eat my maple pie when I had to dash out and buy some artwork from the markets before they closed.
Laura has very kindly sent me the following photos, which I include to give you an idea of a little of what I am seeing; the first is my meeting with Bonhomme (Literally means "Good Man" in French- short for "Good man of snow-or snowman). Bonhomme is the official mascot of the Winter Carnival. The next photo is me with Laura and Nic (L->R).
http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/en/index.asp?low=true
When Bonhomme appears at various carnival sites in the city, he is mobbed by children. His face is everywhere, projected in light pictures at night on office buildings in the city, on keyrings etc. Personally, I think he is a cousin of the evil marshmellow man in Ghostbusters I. But it is hard to meet him and not be a bit caught up in the hype that you have met a superstar in a fluffy white suit without pants.
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