Like It Is

Actually you really don’t have to be childfree to appreciate this. You could, in fact be a parent who doesn’t think hysterical screaming kids in a restaurant is particularly funny or even cool. You might be someone who has consideration for their fellow diners and exits with hysterical toddler(s) if unable to calm them. Just so others don’t have to suffer, you know? You might even be a parent who got a baby-sitter and was dining out.

A friend sent me the link to this article and for a minute I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I read it all and then the comments. You have to read the comments.

I read it again, thinking I’d missed something, but no. I still failed to see the humour.

Apparently the parent did have some initial thought for those who were trying to enjoy their meal, however this was obviously short-lived:

“As I attempted to place her in her highchair, all toddler hellfire broke loose. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: childfree, parent

We had such a wonderful time in Montreal and Quebec City. As a Brit used to hopping on a plane to go on holiday, driving to our destination was really something quite different for me. When going on holiday within Canada and to the States Canadians tend to drive, since it’s where they are going is usually but a few hours away by car. I’d hesitated in the past, but now can’t wait to do it again. Our experience was wonderful –romantic, relaxed and leisurely. No waiting for planes, rushing to airports. lugging luggage to the various gates which are always miles away from where you actually check in. I really relished the difference.

A picture is worth a thousand words I believe, so our photos on Flickr will hopefully help capture the story of the fantastic time we had. Right now I’m working on re-naming them our photos, and will upload to my Flickr site over the next few days. I’ve uploaded some already, and some are also on the blog, so feel free to have a look. And enjoy.

As I mentioned in my previous posts on Quebec we spent most of the time walking – almost all it uphill, exploring Old Quebec, taking photographs, taking in the stunning views, and sampling the excellent gastronomic delights of Quebecois cuisine and hospitality in the great restaurants. Portofino, the photo in my current header is one of the restaurants we went to that came highly recommended – it did not disappoint. It is known as the best Italian restaurant in Quebec City. Oh my! It was amazing. The walking was great exercise – there is nowhere that is flat in Quebec City – especially visiting the Citadelle and the Plains of Abraham. We are pretty fit, but boy, did we feel it the day after. We had great weather, and the one rainy day was the last day we were there, so that worked out very well.

My husband is into beer rating (he has rated over 1,700 to date from all over the world) so we also visited a couple of Brew Pubs and Microbreweries – La Barberie being one of them. La Mere a Boire was another – where we could taste (and he could rate) some interesting Quebec beers. It was great fun – just us and whatever we wanted to do. I think the most pressing question we had was “Where shall we have dinner this evening?”

So, for those interested in visiting historic Quebec City – I would highly recommend it. People told me I would love it and now I know why.

I absolutely did.

Quebec City is amazing. It’s old. It’s beautiful. If I were to say it reminds me of anywhere in the world I’ve been before it would be probably be Montmatre in Paris. Wonderful history - and we are going to be doing lots of walking, exploring the historic Old Walled City, eating and more walking. And of course taking photos!

This evening we had dinner at Restaurant Aux Anciens Canadiens, just under the Citadel. We enjoyed an amazing gastronomic experience sampling some Quebecois specialities from the extensive menu, and the hospitality at this restaurant is just wonderful. Highly recommended.

Picture this.

You are dining out at your favourite restaurant. Some time later, as one does, you feel you need to use the facilities. As you head towards them suddenly you find that you have to try and navigate around a large obstacle blocking the already narrow path between the cosily arranged tables and patrons.

You see that the obstacle is a stroller. Strollers come in many shapes, but only one size. Large. This one is pretty large. Too large for the space it somehow managed to get into. Too large for the whole restaurant in fact. You glance at the owner (no, not the occupant who coos up at you), the grown up. You are, since by now she has seen you coming, expecting her to remove said stroller from your path. So that you can go and do your business and get back to your seat. She smiles at her child and then at you with that “isn’t he/she cute” look. You think “maybe, but do I care? Lady, the universe does not revolve around you. Or your child. And I have to go”.

Politely, though with some exasperation you say “excuse me please, would you mind moving the stroller, I need to get by”. Even though this is patently obvious, you think, and why the hell should you have to ask anyway? Stroller owner rather grudgingly “attempts” to move the offending stroller. Of course, since there was barely room for it in the first place, there is really nowhere to actually move it to. You wait, while she makes what you feel are ineffective shifts of stroller and see it is going no-where.

In danger now of hopping from foot to foot so as to maintain your dignity (and reach the loo before it is too late) you realise there is nothing for it, you are going to have to squeeze past the offending obstacle to access said facilities. Time is of the essence. So to speak. Part of you wants to grab the bloody stroller and forcefully move it somewhere else, preferably out of the establishment. But even if you indulged this particular fantasy, the fact that stroller is on this occasion full of small but solid gurgling occupant would only mean you’d probably be accused of kidnap and God knows what else.

Muttering under your breath “bloody strollers” you manage to contort yourself enough to get where you need to in a hurry. Good thing you’re slim you think. You glare at the mother,who is seemingly oblivious to the fact that she’s causing an obstruction and inconvenience. When confronted with a stroller in your path, you just cannot win.

So here are my rules for large immovable objects on wheels a.k.a strollers:

Rule One: Restaurants: Ban strollers.

Rule Two: Place permanent and large sign on restaurant door as gentle reminder: “No strollers allowed!” Translate into as many languages as possible. And don’t let ‘em past the threshold.

Dear stroller owners who persist in pushing your stroller into places you know they won’t fit but hope that they will, we are aware you think your child is cute and wonderful and that the universe revolves around you, sorry it really doesn’t. Those of us without kids could care less about yours, particularly when you are thoughtlessly inconveniencing us with your enormous stroller.

And those of us with kids already know ours are more wonderful and far more highly evolved than yours.