Conclusions About Montreal

What a wacky place.

The true circus I've experienced here is the people I have met, some of which I have now befriended. But they include and are not limited to: an aspiring woman stand-up comedian, an olympic level ice skater, a pro wrestler, so many professional circus performers, so many climbers, people who run improv music for disabled communities, burlesque dancers, musicians up the wazoo. This is the most eccentric place. Who woulda thunk? Seriously though, I have never seen so many grown men rollerblading to work shirtless while smoking a cigarette!

So what am I really doing in Montreal? Good question. There were two main reasons why I decided to come to Montreal as my first stop on this wild ride. One being Cirque Du Monde, and the other was due to the training in circus technique I could get here myself. The standards of excellence and technique in circus is excessively high here. Everyone is so accomplished. When planning my Watson I realized that I am a complete novice in most things circus, and if I want to participate and not just watch while visiting (and maybe creating) Social Circus sites around the world than I had better brush up what I do know, and get some more skills fast!

Flying trapeze, beginning acrobatics and parkhour, improv, silks, static trapeze, flexibility, pole dancing, more flexibility (my legs hurt!), and a bit of juggling. Phew...its tiring! Also, I am still observing at some schools too. All the while I elected to subscribe to BIXI instead of riding the metro. Its a shared bike system throughout the city. Fortunately every single thing I do in Montreal is nowhere near one another. I spend 2-3 hrs on a bike a day just trying to get from here to there! Aside from trying to take the fast track into learning circus technique I've been reading quite a bit. Its such a relief to be able to read again for pleasure. I also had a little stint at Canadian Nationals for frisbee, and brought the wonderful journal/sketchbook the lovely Lucy Holtsnider helped me make to journal in.

Listening to music, dancing a bit, singing a lot, learning circus, watching circus in action, meeting people, biking, swimming, sleeping. I feel like I am at a summer camp designed for me. The only thing missing are the people who are close to me.

Great news coming about my next destination. There has been a change of plans! After dinner last night with two Social Circus teachers, believers, and advocates I believe I should be headed to Africa. More to come soon as I see whether this plan will be worthwhile. Departure date from Montreal will be around September 9th.