I know, I know, it's been a LONG while since I last posted, but in all honesty, I've been quite busy in the past year or so...
As some of you may know, since my last blog post, I've had a new little baby boy (that makes THREE!) and moved to a completely new province. My husband's company was transferred from Quebec to Alberta and so we made the leap and moved the whole family across the country to our new home out West. Quelle difference!
We'll be the first to admit that we were mildly terrified to make the leap but living here has turned out to be the best decision we've ever made. The people here are so friendly that we've made some of the greatest friends, our neighborhood is to die for and we couldn't imagine being anywhere else at this point in our lives. Having said that, there are still quite a few differences that need some getting used to. Here are a few we've noticed so far:
1. Friendly: The people here are so friendly that I was actually uncomfortable for a few months after moving here. I honestly didn't know people could be so genuinely concerned or happy for you without wanting something in return (or because they weren't belligerently drunk...).
2. Pace: People here just move slower. You can't go anywhere if you're in a hurry because what would be a ten minute run to Walmart in Quebec turns into an hour long stroll in the express line here.
3. Beer: Damn, these people like to drink beer, and it's not cheap either. A 24 of Corona is going to cost you, on average, close to $50! Also, it's not easy to get good wine here.
4. Cowboy hats and boots: No, it's not Halloween, these guys actually OWN this stuff and wear it to wait in the slow lines at Walmart! Plus side, sexy cowboys/cowgirls EVERYWHERE.
5. Trucks: BIG. HONKIN'. TRUCKS. That they leave running when they go into the dep. Gas is cheaper here, after all....
6. Money: Everything here is either a little or a LOT more expensive, but it doesn't matter, because this is the Dubai of Canada.
7. Daycare: In Quebec, we have $7 dollar a day daycare, which is so regulated by the government that no one feels the need to send their kids to pre-school. Here, it would cost me $850 a child to send them to a home daycare provider, who would have no materials sent to them by the government. It's all good though, because chances are, if you're part of a two parent household, you don't need daycare because you probably don't REALLY need to work. Unless you want your annual two-week trip to Mexico or Disney, which, let's face it, we all want.
8.French: There are a lot of Quebecois here. You just don't know because they were the ones who could speak English well enough to move out of Quebec and now make a mint working in the oil industry. I see them though, and now we all basically wave at each other like bikers.
9. Food: There is some serious lack of ethnic food out here. Even if they have it, it sucks. I want some Cannoli or some good Jerk Chicken!!!
10. City: Calgary does not, and could never compare to Montreal. I really think that growing up in such a diverse, electrifying place has shaped the person I am today. I miss Montreal's little cafes, shops and restos and I think I always will. BUT Calgary makes up for what it lacks in culture in good old fashioned manners.
Stay tuned for more Calgary updates. I'm sure the universe has a lot planned for us!
xox
