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July 17, 2010
Chris’ Blog
K’naan and the Black Eyed Peas at the Festival d’Été
We just got back from seeing K’naan and the Black Eyed Peas at the Festival d’Été. I was fairly disappointed with K’naan and so had low expectations going into the Black Eyed Peas. They were much better than I expected and put on a really good show. The Plains of Abraham were completely packed this time. There were supposedly 100 000 people in attendance. According to the Black Eyed Peas, Canada is “where the love is” and the audience in Québec is the best they’ve ever had anywhere.
I won’t be rushing out to buy an Black Eyed Peas albums anytime soon, but it was definitely worth seeing them live.
by Chris at July 17, 2010 04:23 AM
July 16, 2010
Chris’ Blog
Rush at the Festival d’Été
We just got back from seeing Rush at the Festival d’Été. I’ve tried a few times to get into Rush, but I just can’t do it. There was no lack of actual Rush fans; however, as the Plains of Abraham were packed with people, many sporting new and old Rush t-shirts. At about 8:30 they took a break “because we’re so old” according to Geddy Lee. That was kind of funny.
by Chris at July 16, 2010 02:25 AM
July 14, 2010
Chris’ Blog
Santana at the Festival d’Été
I just got back from watching Santana at the Festival d’Été de Québec. It was an outdoor concert on the Plains of Abraham. Definitely in my top ten, it was a great show. Outdoor concerts are always better! Including Carlos, Santana consisted of two drummers, a dude on the congos, trombone, trumpet, bass, guitar, and two singers.
They played a good sampling of the Santana catalogue including ‘Evil Ways’, ‘Jingo’, ‘Singing Winds, Crying Beasts’, ‘Black Magic Woman’, ‘Oye Como Va’, ‘Smooth’, ‘Into the Night’, ‘Maria Maria’. The rest I didn’t recognise or didn’t know the title because it had no lyrics. They also played a great cover of ‘Sunshine of Your Love’.
It also turns out that Carlos Santana is engaged and introduced us to his fiancé who performed a five minute long drum solo. Good times!
by Chris at July 14, 2010 03:37 AM
July 09, 2010
Chris’ Blog
Festival d’Été
Today the Festival d’Été kicked off in Québec. The streets are swarming with people. I imagine it will be like that for the rest of the summer. We walked up to the Parc de la Francaphonie to listen to Bedouin Soundclash. It was so full, we couldn’t get into the park and had to stand in the street along with a few other hundred festival goers to listen. The festival runs for ten days and we’re looking forward to hearing some more great music.
by Chris at July 09, 2010 02:01 AM
March 24, 2010
Chris’ Blog
Christine’s Driver’s Licence
So the SAAQ, as an equal opportunity employer, decided that it wasn’t enough that only I should have great difficulties with my driver’s licence, and in their wisdom issued Christine a driver’s licence…that was good for two weeks (minus the week it took to arrive in the mail, of course). You can see the ‘Valide le’ and ‘Expire le’ dates in the picture below.
She went back and notified them of this little gaff. They were happy to issue a new licence at full price, but first they needed a new picture for the new licence. That makes three photos in total: one for my “gender identity disorder” licence, one for her “psych” licence, and one for the “real” licence.
I must admit, it’s a very creative way to generate additional revenue to offset cost overruns due to inefficiency. Someone must have extended their business lunch to two or three hours to come up with that gem of an idea.
by Chris at March 24, 2010 05:23 PM
March 23, 2010
I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger
On the road to Lahore
March 21, 2010
I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger
Tank, DI Khan, & Area
March 20, 2010
I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger
In & Around Christian Hospital Tank
March 14, 2010
I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger
On the road to Tank
A Little More on Northwest Frontier Province
As I continue to go through my photos, I remember other stories I forgot to mention. One of them is that on the drive to Tank, you pass by the Indus River. I was amazed by how wide that river is. It’s so wide, you almost think you’re passing by an ocean or at least a big sea. It’s really impressive. The Indus River valley area was the site of the ancient Harappa civilisation. Many anthropologists consider the area to be the birthplace of modern civilisation because the Harappans had sewage systems in their cities and things like that. I was hoping to be able to see some Harappan ruins while I was there, but unfortunately, the locations of the ruins are situated in areas that are too dangerous to tourism at the moment. I was pretty disappointed because I like to see places that I learned about in anthropology. Maybe one day, I’ll still get to see it. At least I hope!
March 13, 2010
I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger
Afternoon Tea at the Hospital
I can’t believe I forgot to tell the story about the gardeners! They were so awesome; to welcome me there, they invited me (and Mom and Asif, of course) to a formal tea. They had felt embarrassed that they couldn’t invite me for supper, but the tea was really nice. In their culture, their concern was that I would come back to Canada with bad reports about how no one could even offer me a cup of tea. It was so sweet. So, being gardeners, they picked a bouquet of fresh flowers growing at the hospital to decorate the table, and we set up shop outside Mom and Asif’s house. They had tea and snacks and sweets. It was really yummy. About gardeners in general, I don’t know what it is about them, but one can always get along well with gardeners. I think if I had a choice, it would be one of the loveliest things to do to work in a garden all day. Of course, that also includes weeding and cutting grass and things like that, but it’s not really that bad, especially when the product is colourful flora and bright green foliage.
Lahore & the road to Islamabad
March 08, 2010
Chris’ Blog
Québec Driver’s Licence
After many trips to the SAAQ to get accident reports, register our car, and apply for a new driver’s licence, it finally arrived in the mail. The accompanying letter said to review the licence carefully and check for any mistakes that might exist in the birthdate and other personal information.
It’s funny; the letter never said to check the picture. So I went down to the SAAQ this morning to let them know that I had indeed found a problem with my licence. They seemed a bit surprised, which is good; I wouldn’t want to think this happens all the time. Now everyone is up to speed and it’s time for a new picture. This is when I’m told that before they can take a new picture they’ll need to see some photo ID…
…I guess that’s because they wouldn’t want someone walking around with, say, someone else’s picture on their driver’s licence. It’s a good thing the SAAQ is there to nip these things in the bud.
by Chris at March 08, 2010 04:19 PM
I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger
Jaipur
On the road to Jaipur
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Last updated: September 03, 2010 10:00 PM
