The Next Day. Trying out MeetUp!
Second day of work was pretty good. Got a lie in and relaxed breakfast which was well in order after the excursions of the previous day. Coffee and PB&J toaster for 3 meals today.. I'm not proud but I forgot to buy food / I was going to but then the line was a mile long for all four of the cashiers!! Which meant I was going to be late for my cultural exchange club I found on MeetUp ( a cool [really geeky] little website / app that promotes local.. well.. meetups! ) it's the perfect way for me to meet new people, kill time chatting and explore more of the city!
I've joined many clubs now ranging from sports and hikes to board games and language practise! The one I participated in today was on the seventh floor of a large reatail outlet in downtown Montreal in the cafeteria section. The store is extremely empty from 5pm - 8pm on a Wednesday afternoon which meant there was plenty of space for us to spread out into Spanish, English and French practise groups. It was a great environment full of like minded people who just want to chat in their adopted language, away from the judgement and pressures of work / school.
I helped initially with some people who wanted to speak English and then when more French speakers arrived, switched tables so that I could become the learner. The system works that the organiser collects $2 from everyone and there will be some volunteers in each language to help steer conversation, helped stranded speakers and fill in any confusion and talk a little bit of grammar.
I had a wonderful time and met some lovely folks. Including two elderly gentleman who helped me with my French - Mike (British who reminded me a lot of my grandparents) and Ricard (from Montreal originally but spends a lot of time in Cuba with Mike during the winter.) We had a great talk and Mike was flabbergasted at my way of life! Couldn't believe I wasn't studying or choosing a Trade! Heard that one before.. but nonetheless I made an impression with my tales of the last year and the jobs and journeys I've been on, plus we kept on taking the mickey out of each other which was great fun.
My other favorite was one of the volunteers daughter named Audrey. A pretty much bilingual 11 year old who I helped with English and then she returned the favour by coming over later and helping me out with my French! We talked about favorite foods, best friends, favourite animals and I even taught her a 'patty cake' game I learnt at camp! See mike, I'm excellent with kids. We drew her into the fun with our mickey taking. Mike said his favorite animal AND food was tadpoles.. and that when he grows up he wanted to be a shark wrestler or skier like me..!
Love to all my family xxx tomorrow is a day away from work! I think I will go for a run (haven't done any sport since camp!) definitely will buy food, and even catch another MeetUp event maybe.. we shall see!
I've joined many clubs now ranging from sports and hikes to board games and language practise! The one I participated in today was on the seventh floor of a large reatail outlet in downtown Montreal in the cafeteria section. The store is extremely empty from 5pm - 8pm on a Wednesday afternoon which meant there was plenty of space for us to spread out into Spanish, English and French practise groups. It was a great environment full of like minded people who just want to chat in their adopted language, away from the judgement and pressures of work / school.
I helped initially with some people who wanted to speak English and then when more French speakers arrived, switched tables so that I could become the learner. The system works that the organiser collects $2 from everyone and there will be some volunteers in each language to help steer conversation, helped stranded speakers and fill in any confusion and talk a little bit of grammar.
I had a wonderful time and met some lovely folks. Including two elderly gentleman who helped me with my French - Mike (British who reminded me a lot of my grandparents) and Ricard (from Montreal originally but spends a lot of time in Cuba with Mike during the winter.) We had a great talk and Mike was flabbergasted at my way of life! Couldn't believe I wasn't studying or choosing a Trade! Heard that one before.. but nonetheless I made an impression with my tales of the last year and the jobs and journeys I've been on, plus we kept on taking the mickey out of each other which was great fun.
My other favorite was one of the volunteers daughter named Audrey. A pretty much bilingual 11 year old who I helped with English and then she returned the favour by coming over later and helping me out with my French! We talked about favorite foods, best friends, favourite animals and I even taught her a 'patty cake' game I learnt at camp! See mike, I'm excellent with kids. We drew her into the fun with our mickey taking. Mike said his favorite animal AND food was tadpoles.. and that when he grows up he wanted to be a shark wrestler or skier like me..!
Love to all my family xxx tomorrow is a day away from work! I think I will go for a run (haven't done any sport since camp!) definitely will buy food, and even catch another MeetUp event maybe.. we shall see!
Marouane Felaini spotted in my hostel!
Good example of generational differences and understanding of studying and learning a trade! I'd suggest you're doing both! Like MeetUp sounds cool x
ReplyDeleteRemoved comment cos typed it without glasses on and couldn't cope with all the errors! Sounds like networking is another skill you are developing, good for you! It all sounds exhausting but j know you thrive in those conditions! xxxx
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