Long time no news :)

But now there is another update. 7 days ago, Clemens and I came back from Canada. The journey was a long one with quite some hassle, as security regulations were very high due to the terrorism problems in England. Nonetheless we got everything over to Europe safely and were both happy to be back and sad to have left.

The last week was not too eventful - hence the lack of updates on my blog. Clemens had some problems with the car and thus spent practically the whole week underneath it to make the necessary reparations. And I spent my days looking for an apartment in Munich. I do have a couple of appointments in Munich on Tuesday and am going to see my aunt tomorrow. We'll see if the perfect place for the next four months will be among them.

On Thursday afternoon we took my grandma out for coffee. It was really special, as she had wished for Clemens to wear his gala uniform. Our afternoon was a very pleasant one, and we definitely stood out from the crowd. Everyone was watching the young officer and two ladies. And my grandma was obviously proud to be taken out for coffee by such a handsome young man. Unfortunately Clemens, who has left today for his graduation trip, has the camera on him, so the pictures from the afternoon will only be attached in a couple of days....

10 Signs that my Boyfriend may become Canadian!

1. He knows that the word "Canadian" is the designation of a people, of a beer, and of a way of life.
2. He doesn't mind driving the car with automatic transistion anymore. In fact, we argue about who gets to drive almost every time we go somewhere.... And he stopped using the clutch that is not to be found anywhere in my car.
3. He is starting to understand and even appreciate the 4-way stop system. Everything works on a first-come first-serve basis now.
4. He doesn't forget anymore to turn right on a red traffic light. Let's hope he starts forgetting that in Austria again..
5. He loves Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino.
6. He went to a Country Dance evening. He even enjoyed it!
7. He stops wondering about the lack of curves on our streets, or even the lack of streets further up north, for that matter.
8. He knows more about farming in Canada than I do!! Actually, he even knows how to repair a combine now.
9. He is starting to say things like: Eh - with the correct pronounciation!
10. He enjoys maple syrup... a lot! He even drinks it from the bottle!

And for those ten reasons, and lots more, I am almost certain that the two of us will return to Canada soon again!
But for now, there is 5 more days in St-Polycarpe to go, and lots more to discover in 'la belle provence' (Quebec)!

At Algonquin Park

  

A truly Canadian Car!

  

Just another endless straight street

  

At the Georgian Bay

  

Niagara Falls at Night

  

My Boyfriend and a Mountie

  

Me @ Queen's University

  

Road Trip!!

From Sunday until Wednesday night, Clemens and I went on a road trip. It started off with an old car show in Cornwall, where we saw a friend of our family. Then we continued to Kingston and saw my university, Fort Henry and did a sunset boat tour of the Thousand Island Region. Of course, the last part was very beautiful!

The following day we set off to Niagara. Niagara wasn't the most pleasant of all places to be on Monday, as it was a holiday in Ontario and there was no parking anywhere. So Clemens and I thought it would be cool to skip the falls and Niagara on the Lake and visit Marineland! BIG mistake!!! Marineland was crowded with families and small children, the animals had to perform 24/7 and we felt so sorry for them in their little ponds. In the evening we finally went to see the falls. After sunset they were lighted and we even had the opportunity to see fireworks over the waterfalls. Of course, that was beautiful.

On Tuesday we drove up north to the Georgian Bay. Up there, there were many sand beaches, and further inland, a farm here and there, and endless fields of wheat and other crops. We visited one of the beaches at around noon and then drove further North to Penetanguishene. Since the street signs are very bad, we got lost up there, and suddenly were on a road that ended at the bay - didn't go left or right. But eventually we found our way and saw a historic sailor's village. That night we wanted to drive on to the Algonquins, but unfortunately didn't find our way out of the neighbouring (somewhat larger) town. So we decided to stay up there, saw a martyrer's shrine and watched the sunset over the bay. Which was kindof beautiful as well.

Wednesday was our last day, but also one of the nicest. Driving on those streets up north, you never know what awaits you behind the next curve. Well.. you actually do know... it is another gorgeous lake on either side... Algonquin was nice, with an exquisite lunch at a beautiful lake and a 1-hour hike around another lake. Then, to save a little bit on money and tim, we decided to drive back home the same day and arrived in St-Polycarpe late that evening.

Overall, the road trip was as beautiful as we hoped it would be. We enjoyed every second, and especially the more quiet days up north, in areas with little population are among our favourite memories.

The two of us at the old port

  

Montreal

  

Half-time in Canada

Almost half of my time in Canada is almost over! Jeez, time passes quickly! On Tuesday, after unfortunately not being able to catch his connecting flight to Canada, Clemens arrived in Montreal. The weather was hot and humid - for an instance he thought he took the wrong plane - to Ecuador, or something!

But now he is here and we got to do some sightseeing, some relaxing at home and some shopping. Tomorrow we'll be at Mary's for some ethnic food, and on Sunday we'll be on our way on a road trip to Toronto, Niagara, Algonquin and Ottawa. More news after that!