No Rest till the West

Things are getting pretty smellful.

It has been four days since we left Montreal and we have played in Kingston, Hamilton and have entered the US on our way to Brandon, Manitoba. We left our pal Kate's place on Tuesday morning and officially began the return voyage to Vancouver, which will take us 6 days. The drive to Kingston in the scorching hot Ontario sun (37 degrees) reminded our lackadaisical Montreal minds that van life is sticky and smelly. We also have amazing farmer's tans. Upon Kingston arrival we negotiated some vehicle maintenance and passed time drinking tall boys on a private company's lawn. The Safari is apparently in great shape for a '97 with 210000 kms on it, so that was brilliant news.

We made our way to a haunted mansion like venue (with volleyball court in the back) and sampled the $2 tacos. They were greasy. This City Defects was late in arriving as they fell on bad luck on their last day in Montreal (although it was tinged with some awesomeness - LCD Soundsystem and french babes). The show was a bit drunk and raging, but the set was crazy fun, we saw some friends, and we continued to party into the small hours back at a fellow named Jack's place. He had been kind enough to offer us some horizontal carpet space. I slept in the van.

Around noon in the morning we drove through bumper to bumper traffic on the 8 lane 401 in 37 degree weather again. Without air conditioning or a functioning passenger window. Plenty of honky sauce to rub on our whiteness (Julian excluded!). We got to Hamilton, ate some tasties, and played at the Casbah (yes) with a band called the Famines from Edmonton. Rockers! Our friends Sheena and Sara (on a cross Canada adventure all their own) came to the show from Toronto. Super coolness of them. After the show we went to a local speakeasy and found a place to crash with the DJ, a hilarious dude named Kevin. Here are some choice quotes:

"I like music a lot, but I like kitties even more"

"You guys are cool, but it would be cooler if you were all cats"

and, as he headed to bed "don't pet my cat or I will kill you"

The next day (I think it was Thursday) we crossed into the US - through a very strict border, were searched once again and intimidation was attempted. They found it hard to believe that none of us had ever been arrested. They were disappointed when we were free to go. We stopped in Lansing, Michigan, and ate Jerk Chicken. Good. We are now in Minneapolis and continue our adventure north to the (apparently) 20 cm snowfall warning in Calgary.

Tally ho!

Paul watching the Van.

Five minutes before showtime in Kingston.

Dude! Show in five minutes!

And now to put it all back together.

Friends being friends

TV'd

we likes bikes

team work

rocking beneath the full moon

technique .

this city defecting

the gang's all here!

Lansing, the capitol of Michigan

Monster of Montreal

We went to a restaurant in the downtown area, Zaziummm, and Scott ordered a $22 sandwich. On the line was a t-shirt for the successful completion of this dinner extravaganza. It was touch and go for a while, and doubts were evident, but true champions don't turn back when the going gets salty.

May Long Montreal Mayhem

"Deeeeeeees Noix" (home-made eyepatch)

Kate and Julian kicking it

A great walk in old Montreal

Vendors vending, people spending. Paul, lend me 25 cents.

We are in a big square. Below is the river and biodome.

Times change, but stains last a lifetime.

A side of Calum

Scott looking cool

We ate at a great vegetarian restaurant. I had the best burger I've ever had. Scott fell asleep because he had a big day.

Hair band

We crashed at Dorian and Chris' place (of the rad band Cinema L'Amour). Cool Montreal digs.

Then we drank in a park.

This is completely legit. Why must we suffer in Vancouver.

And beers are available at the local convenience store.

And I can buy 4 PBRs for $5. This is me and max relaxation.

At the Sunday Tam Tam we watched some LARPing.

Samurais take no prisoners.

Montreal's Sharcut. Sweet music. Serious players.

Beer versus Milk. Beer wins.

But why the highball glasses?

It's about 3 am and they are still serving us.

All the bottles are empty.

Girl Shorts.

Party Ball.

Paul was giving Julian a running piggy-back and decided to jump. This ended poorly.

The guys made it back to Dorian's place to sleep, I tried to get to the van but lost my keys and ended up sleeping in a park. When the sun woke me I found my keys in my back pocket. Awesome.

This is apparently Lenard Cohen's favourite hangout when he is in town. His house is across the street. We ate here. It was amazing.

Loic and Kate were super rad to us and let us crash at their jams.

We climbed Mount Royal - it's not much of a mountain, but the view is very rad.

Aforementioned view.

After the climb and some iced fruit I fell asleep for a few hours. (Second park I slept in that day)

- Calum