~ a little hello ~

[This is Bath; i left my plug adaptor and USB lead at home like an idiot!]

The day before my flight i had the beginnings of a cold and now, on my second day in this beautiful European-flavoured city, i am a mess of blocked sinuses and used tissues. Yesterday i walked around Jeanine's neighbourhood, snapping a few Polaroids and foraging for coffee and books; as i currently have only two working senses, i'm fascinated by how we usually interact with a new place. I have no sense of taste or smell, so i can't tell you what the food is like, or what the streets smell of. And, most uncomfortably of all, my ears are blocked, so my hearing is so impaired i'm walking around feeling like i've a glass helmet on my head. As my new course is all about the senses I've been noticing how much more my eyes want to work to compensate for the lack of anything else - everything is so much bigger and more colourful suddenly. I also now realise how important taste and smell is for making you want to eat (i have no appetite) and how incredibly inward you become when you can't hear what people are saying.

What's also interesting is that despite all these physical discomforts, I feel incredibly comfortable here. I was a little wary of the language issue, considering that i don't speak French, but everyone i've met has been a) bi-lingual and b) so nice it hasn't been a problem; shamefully, my school-girl French is but a distant memory. Right now Jeanine and I are sitting in her favourite cafe, typing away on our laptops while our coffees cool and African beats pump through the speakers attached to the wall. Tomorrow we leave early to drive to Squam, making our way to the border and on through Vermont and New Hampshire; i can't wait to see if the leaves have changed colour, and what the journey has in store for us...

[I've shared a few words and pictures over on This Joy + Ride this week.]

Comments

feel better soon!

Posted by: charlane | Sep 16, 2009 at 01:55 AM

I have never been to Montreal, but I've heard from others that have, it's a lovely fusion of old and new world ~ my understanding is there's still some "old town" to savour. It sucks flying with a cold. Love that glass helmet analogy!

Maybe you could find some vindaloo curry to wake up your taste buds. Do try to get a taste of sugar pie ... yum!

Posted by: Roxanne | Sep 16, 2009 at 03:45 AM

Awww, hope you feel better :) Have a safe trip!

Posted by: Maverick | Sep 16, 2009 at 03:51 AM

we are in the same country now :) and lucky you! still nice weather! enjoy it!

Posted by: Catalina | Sep 16, 2009 at 08:52 AM

My sympathies. Sometimes I visit my boyfriend, I end up like this, from the combination of the plane and english weather..still not used to it after 3 years..eep. Plus, I´ve got a pet allergy and he´s got a cat..hehe. But then again, you get a really nice french accent from it, so you might still use your school-girl french, but with style!
Hope you´ll still have a nice time.
K

Posted by: katarina | Sep 16, 2009 at 09:09 AM

beautiful photo...it is so evocative..
sorry for your cold...get better soon.Happy that the cold is not in the way for enjoying...:-)

Posted by: barbara | Sep 16, 2009 at 09:35 AM

I hope you feel better real soon. Yet, look at how you have made lemonade out of your lemons...you are using other senses to still enjoy where you are. I find that to be pretty damn awesome.

Posted by: Lu | Sep 16, 2009 at 02:15 PM

I hope you feel better soon- so you are fully able to enjoy Squam!

Posted by: Rachel B. | Sep 16, 2009 at 03:50 PM

Susannah,
Sorry to hear that you're suffering from a cold.
I live a mere 1 1/2 hrs. from Montreal. In fact I was just in Montreal a couple of weeks ago.

I know you'll love Vermont and New Hampshire.
Should you decide to return to Montreal via NY State and Cornwall,Ontario Canada, let me know; perhaps we could share a cafe.
rel

Posted by: rel | Sep 16, 2009 at 06:41 PM

and tell me, going somewhere else in France? (I'm on the Atlantic Coast) Hope you are feeling better! Paris is SO inspiring!

Posted by: Catalina | Sep 17, 2009 at 08:18 AM

sorry...you were talking about french...and I thought: France! :)

Posted by: Catalina | Sep 17, 2009 at 12:30 PM

feel better soon! On your travels, stop in Burlington, Vermont- it's a beautiful little city right on Lake Champlain.

Also- Portsmouth, NH is wonderful...

Posted by: Stephanie | Sep 17, 2009 at 12:43 PM

I can't believe you were in my city and I didn't get to meet you! I even would have risked catching your cold for the opportunity. Alas. Enjoy Squam, a friend of mine, the Queen of Arts, is also there at this time. Perhaps you two will cross paths. And if you are ever passing through Montreal again, please drop me a line.

Posted by: Kim | Sep 17, 2009 at 01:55 PM

Take care of yourself! And I love your pics + interview at joy + ride. Have fun at Squam!

Posted by: Amisha | Sep 17, 2009 at 02:52 PM

May GOD Heal you soon.Have a nice journey
and see different places and people there..

Posted by: packaging supplier | Sep 18, 2009 at 06:21 AM

Ah, that is a major bummer to have a cold on vacation, but what an interesting twist you make of it! I hope you get better soon!

Posted by: blue bicicletta | Sep 18, 2009 at 08:13 PM

Hi - look forward to hearing about the rest of your adventure. I liked your way of looking at the restricted senses and will try to remember that next time I am struck down by a bug after travelling.

best wishes :)

Posted by: Rhiannon | Sep 20, 2009 at 10:56 AM