The bridge to Trois rivieres is massive and doesn't allow any pedestrian traffic. Even though it was closer for me to go over the bridge, the iPhone kept telling to backtrack 100 Kms to cross at sorel. Usually, the thing is pretty reliable...it was just trying to do its job! They have a shuttle service to take bikes across! I pay my money and get taken over what is the largest bridge I have ever seen! The guy is speaking French to me and when he inflected his words, I know he is looking for some response. I can say what I'm doing but have a harder time following along. He lets me off on the other side and I feel less nervous because the iphone and I are on the same side again. I sit in the library frantically mailing people for a spot to stay and then text Anthony. He answers! He first wants to know how i got his number. I tell him that it is on his warm showers page. He asks if I am a biker. I tell him not a hells angels biker but a cyclist. I tell him I want to take the jail tour. Trois Rivieres has a jail they built in 1816. He then asks me if I am going to jail tomorrow. I can see where this is heading...to me sleeping on a park bench somewhere fighting off people for the space. I tell him very adamantly that I am not a convict but a music teacher. I will agree that the sound of 30 recorders at the same time is criminal but I should hardly spend the night on the street for it! He calls me and sets me up with an address and I make it to his place. He's a very casual guy who is instantly friendly and he has also done the cross Canada tour as well. He lets me set up on his lawn and I go for pizza, something I haven't eaten since marathon, ont. At the pizza place, the clerk switches to English on me but I still enjoy my meal. Trois rivieres is the 4th oldest city in Canada so it has lots of old, beautiful stone buildings. I down my pizzas, buy some beers from the gas station and head back to Anthony's. His friend luc(?) gets there just as I do. I nervous about French but his English is flawless. He's a roofer and the 3 of us talk for a bit with luc and tony speaking quickly in French and then switching over to English to include me. I need to get immersed in France soon! I set my tent up and 5 minutes later it rains and my sleeping bag gets breached! Got to get a bigger tarp!
About meAmateur cyclist, bon vivant, writer and internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter. Archives
February 2013
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