The Trip part 3

Elder and Sister Rhodes with Val d'Or behind them (Taken up on the Rotary Tower)

It was so nice to see Dad and Tina. They met me at the bus and after meeting the  missionaries next door, visiting and getting settled we headed to bed to be up for church in the morning.

My room for the week

The view from the apartment before church

Packing up for Sunday meetings

I woke up in Quebec. My high school french was not going to cut it so I had to use the translation headphones during Sacrament meeting. I attended the English Sunday School class and then I sat with Cindy, another non-francophone, in Relief Society,  following along in the English manual and scriptures and trying to keep pace with the class. I remembered spending the greater part of my mission doing this in Korea. Despite not having a high council speaker this Sunday, the branch met for soup and sandwiches after the meeting.

Primary painted Prayer Rocks, Lunch after meetings, Dad doing dishes - his way, I'm sure

Monday was Victoria Day - not the biggest celebration in Canada but maybe especially so in Quebec. So while some businesses were closed and people enjoyed a day off, we went on a walkabout on the main thoroughfare - 3rd Avenue, Val d'Or.  I was familiar with the area all ready because of my virtual tours using Google street view, so it was fun to see it in person. Up and down the avenue, businesses had set up front sidewalk cafe seating by adding boardwalk extensions into the parking spots. Clever idea if the parking isn't essential.

This is the front door of the church (meeting rooms and offices on the 2nd floor) on 3rd Avenue.

Third Avenue, Val d'Or

Monday night was Men's Night. We dropped off Dad and went to visit with Josette. Loved her home and garden. She has a very welcoming place and it was a great visit.

Josette

Men's Night - we arrived in time for the end of the game and snacks. 

Tuesday included some shopping:

This is obviously a favourite spot considering all the great deals on items now in their apartment. Dad was looking at silk ties and leather belts. Tina found a next to new spring green jacket that looked great on her. I resisted but browsed the books, art and knick knacks.

Entertainment in Val d'Or - Thrift store shopping

We stopped in at the mall as well. I found a new t-shirt (my luggage included more formal clothing than I wanted to wear - especially in the humidity in Ottawa. After the mall, we picked up some groceries and I learned about the availability of some new sweet treats - I've never heard of sugar or maple syrup pie before. So I bought the maple syrup pie to take home. Yum - especially warmed up!

Sweet treats in Quebec

I was also called to action to teach English class that night. The topic was already chosen for me and I didn't have a good sense of how comfortable everyone was with their English but we worked it out - I always know after what I would have done differently but it was fun. I made puffed wheat squares for the snack afterwards.

English Class - Working with partners

English Class - sharing Puffed Wheat squares after the lesson

Gold was discovered in this area back in 1923 and Val d'Or (which means Valley of Gold) is surrounded by mines. Copper, zinc and lead are also important resources in the area. On Wednesday, after walking up the Rotary Tower and taking pictures of Val d'Or,  we drove over to an area of Val d'Or called "The City of Gold". It is the mining village of Bourlamaque, and the Lamaque mine, closed in 1985 when the supply of gold was exhausted. It is now used for mining training and was declared a National Historic Site in 2012.

The Historic Mining Village of Bourlamaque

Lamaque Mine (taken from the Rotary Tower)

We also drove a half hour out to visit the nearby town of Malartic a hub of mining in the region since 1923. In 2008, Osisko Mining found an untapped reservoir of gold under the town and is now the largest open pit gold mine in Canada. While I was there, this mine was setting records in gold production with a value of $72 million recovered. The mine has a viewing platform that is opened for visitors when blasting isn't taking place. I enjoyed watching the gigantic equipment at work. You can see more pictures of this area on Elder and Sister Rhodes' blog here.

Osisko Gold Mine

Before we went out to dinner, Tina and I stopped in to visit Madame Gabrysz, landlady for their apartment. She was delightful to visit - a real treasure and graciously took me on a quick tour of her home.  I could have spent more time visiting with her. She has quite a rich history and an creative and artistic sensibility. I took some pictures but more didn't turn out than did. I am still learning about my camera - inside close shots are not its strong point - it does much better with outdoor landscape shots and zooming.  But here are a few - more are here, including a photograph of her with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

This is a great photo of Madame, one that she is quite pleased with. 

This room has items of significance from WWII. (She put her hair down for me - gorgeous)

The mannequins are adorned with furs, scarves, jewelry, hold instruments and have Barbie dolls perched on their shoulders. Whimsical and so much fun to see the kitsch mixed in with items of real value - gorgeous Inuit sculptures, paintings, etc.  

Her artistic creations are whimsical and so much fun, you will see the kitsch mixed in with items of real value - gorgeous Inuit sculptures, paintings, etc.   Madame Gabrysz is featured in a French documentary about her and the priest from the local Ukrainian church, The Cossack and the Gypsy.  Here's the trailer.




Our final meal in Val d'Or was poutine - what else would you eat in Quebec?

I am so glad I was able to come to Val d'Or and share in this missionary experience. Dad and Tina are happy and making a real difference in people's lives - they are loved and they love the people right back. I know they will be sad to leave but it will be great to have them back home again.

Elder Thia and Elder Luggo- saying hello

Elder Luggo and Elder Thia - saying goodbye

My visit in Val d'Or wouldn't have been the same without the Elders next door. 

They greeted me my first night and bid me farewell before I left. 

And in between, we had fun sending messages using the communication method of a clothesline that extended from our balcony to theirs. The interesting accessories when they came to say goodbye was referencing a picture that had been delivered earlier. 

It all started when we noticed the message "Hello Lovely Neighbors!"  

Grab your scriptures (or click on the links) if you would like to follow along with the rest of the messages.

#1 Hello Lovely Neighbors!
#2 Hebrews 13:22
Psalms 44:23 (first 4 words only)
D & C 109:8
D & C 123:14
D & C 30:8

#3 2 Timothy 4:7
Luke 24: 29-30
Amos 8:2 (2nd sentence)
Matthew 10:42
Psalm 34:8

#4  1 Corinthians 7:29 (1st 9 words)
3 Nephi 13:31
2 Corinthians 13:11

#5 2 Thessalonians 3:16
D & C 75: 15 (your name)
1 Thessalonians 5:26, 28
Alma 45:18
Hymn #152 (Title)

Messages to the Missionaries - using the clothesline delivery system

The Elders ready to teach the people of Val d'Or

We left Val d'Or Thursday to head down to Ottawa for some final sightseeing before I returned to Calgary. We stopped at the Chutes du Lac Roland as we headed south. 

The three of us on a roadside break at the falls

My trip is not over yet - a few more days left to tour Ottawa. More in the next post!

The Trip part 2

Tulips at Major Hill Park with the Parliament East Block in the background

After a combination of delays and changes, I finally made it in to Ottawa.

We weren't alone on the airport apron (not "tarmac" which I have now learned is the wrong term to use) - a smaller jet was surrounded by black limousines and security. Someone official or important or such was also arriving in the nation's capital.

It was a rainy night and the next day was rainy as well. I still tried to see some of the tulip festival near Parliament but it was a perfect day to spend at the National Gallery of Canada. Visiting here was number two on my list of things to do in Ottawa. Number one was to visit Parliament Hill but I was saving that for when I returned in a week with Dad and Tina.

I didn't take a picture of every piece of art but it seems like it. So many amazing works that I have seen on the covers and pages of textbooks, on postcards and websites. I always look forward to discovering a new artist that I enjoy or a work of art that I just want to spend time with.

Some of my favourites!

Red Currant Jelly by Mary Pratt

This artist was the exhibit I missed seeing in Regina! Love the light! It reminds me of my photo from, Tangled Gardens, a shop in Nova Scotia.

Tom Thomson; Arthur Lismer; J.E.H. MacDonald; and A.Y. Jackson -gorgeous pieces. 

Pavane by Jean Paul Riopelle - this is joy!

Ludivine by Edwin Holgate - I sat in front of this for some time. She is at the funeral of her mother. So powerful.

Artist and Shaman between Two Worlds by Norval Morriseau

Irises by Vincent Van Gogh - so beautiful!

Jacaranda by Alexander Calder

The Hotel Eden by Joseph Cornell - I am a HUGE fan of Joseph Cornell so was happy to see this iconic piece.

A Swedish Village by Harold Gilmer - this makes me want to go to Sweden even more!

Firuzabad (Variation 1) by Frank Stella - a huge bright and happy piece.

"Just paint the picture already!" - Young Woman with a Fan by Pietro Rotari

Okay - I really could have posted many more. I spent my time going from room to room and occasionally sitting and soaking it all in. I love great art galleries!  Unfortunately, I didn't figure out how to turn off the camera sounds until the next day.  So everywhere I went, you could here, click, click, click.  I'm sure the security and other visitors would have been happier if I had known this 24 hours earlier. To see my photos of the art and the gallery I spent my day enjoying, you can see them here on Flickr.   Do you have a favourite?

The room I spent the most time is was the reconstruction of the Rideau Street Convent Chapel. Not only for the beauty of the room but the sound installation of the Forty-Part Motet by Janet Cardiff. I remember reading about this when it was originally exhibited in 2001. It was amazing to sit and listen to. But even more amazing to walk around the room and hear each track on its own speaker as the music was passed around the room.

Amazing ceiling, isn't it?

Here is a video of what the experience is like:

After touring the gallery, I made my way to take in the view from Nepean Point. From behind the gallery, you can look out and see the river with bridges across to Gatineau and look back towards downtown to see Parliament and the locks of the canal. The West Block is currently being renovated - a process that is making its way around the various buildings of Parliament and scheduled to take 30 years. Renovations on the Central Block will be starting in 2018.

Parliament Hill as seen from Nepean Point

I had dinner down at the Elgin Street Diner - open all night which is good because after walking all day at the gallery, I didn't make it back out until after I watched 24 (so happy Jack is back!) and then walked for an hour to find it. Poutine, a salad and a milkshake. Too much food - it was impossible to finish. I read my book and enjoyed people watching and being out of the rain.  

Where I spent my Friday night in Ottawa

The next morning I had breakfast in my neighbourhood - the busy Byward Market with stalls of flowers, vegetables and fruit and arts and crafts.  I enjoyed a croissant and hot chocolate from Moulin De Provence, an Ottawa landmark. I bought some loaves of bread and tulip cookies to take up to Val d'Or. (no camera for this part)

My ride north had a few hiccups (including some generous and helpful volunteers who got me to my bus and a very carsick dog) but I eventually made it to Val d'Or by 9:30 that night.

En route to Val d'Or - rocks and trees and water... (I hummed the Arrogant Worms song all the way up)

 Part 3 of the trip to follow.

The Trip Part 1

En route to Ottawa from Val d'Or with Elder and Sister Rhodes 

It started out to just be a trip to visit the missionaries (Dad and Tina) in Quebec. It grew into a bit more -  Regina, Phoenix, Ottawa, Val d'Or, Quebec and back to Ottawa. Well, I had never visited the capital of our country before and this was something I was definitely going to take advantage of since Val d'Or is part of the stake in Ottawa. Then the timing lined up with my attendance of  the TESL Canada conference in Regina where I was giving two presentations so it was a pit stop on my journey east. BUT then I was invited to join my sister's family and my mom in Phoenix between these two - Mother's Day in the sun. So the trip was set.

The girls in Phoenix on Mother's Day 2014 (mom's pic from Facebook)

It is always nice to come home but I had a great time on the road! Here are the highlights:

Regina: Excellent conference. I attended some great presentations - had some good conversations connecting with colleagues from across the country. Not enough time to attend all the sessions I wanted to see. Gave two presentations (which is part of why I spent my first day in Regina on the computer in my hotel room working on documents needed back at MRU and finalizing my notes and didn't get to visit the MacKenzie Art Gallery), but both were well attended and I felt good at the end of them.  Loved the last night - Nancy found an improv show "Red Hot Riot with Jayden Pfeifer" and coordinated tickets for us. It was just a few blocks from the hotel and was an Improv/Talk show held in a renovated church, the Artesian.  Hilarious! There was even a legitimate guest for the talk show - Lowell Dean, director of "Wolf Cop".  And a musical act, Poor Nameless Boy. I bought his CD at the end of the show - if you get a chance to check him out, do so!

Last night in Regina - Improv fun at the Artesian

Phoenix: I arrived Sunday afternoon for a couple of days in the sun with just the Mom, Janelle and Madi. On Monday we visited the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens and saw the Chihuly exhibit!! I'm so glad I was able to see this. It's like I've been chasing Chihuly installations with a number of my trips. Missed it at Chatsworth. Missed it at Kew Gardens. Missed the first exhibit in Phoenix and left Arizona one week before this current exhibit with hopes to get back before it was packed up.  This was now the last week before it was all over. Fantastic pieces and when you look around, there were plants in the garden that could be seen as inspirations for the glass works.

Madi at the Desert Botanical Garden Chihuly art installation
Red and Yellow Assymetrical Tower, 2013 

Summer Sun

Erbium Pink Fiori, 2013

Blue Fiori Sun, 2013

Sapphire Star, 2010

To see more of my photos from the Botanical Garden, click through for the full set on Flickr.

We were then joined by Rob, Tanner, Sam and Jazz on Tuesday for another couple of days of fun.

An early visit to the new Gilbert Arizona temple.

Lots of pool time and I had fun playing with my camera settings.

I took sooo many pictures to get this great shot!

Last night in Phoenix - the full moon

Part one of my trip done... on to Ottawa and Val d'Or in the next blog post. 

Flickr Friday: Cloud

Cloud by Caitlind Brown

For Flickr Friday, I've posted a couple of photos I rediscovered on a flashdrive this week. These were taken at Nuit Blanche 2012, a late-night arts festival held in downtown Calgary one September evening. This event was cancelled last year but will be back this fall!

This was my favourite installation.

Cloud by Caitlind Brown

This installation was in Prague last year and this video shows the interactive nature of the piece.