8 octobre 2013
North American Portraits
Meg and Marion, 15 yr old friends, one a daughter of the tacky but welcoming P & J motel in corn belt Sherburn, Minnesota (pop. 1100), twirling broomsticks (flags left in school) to be up to scratch in leading the school matching band for the 11th October Homecoming (??). Three rehearsals a week after school. They had great difficulty understanding anything I said.
Seth and Elizabeth, who run the Cup and Saucer in tiny run down Sherburn, Minnesota won the place in a competition after writing an essay on why they should be chosen. He's a local, a trained cook, she has an MBA, and their house was repossessed by the bank, so the current owner chose to give it to them. 3 months on we were the only customers apart from the former owner and his buddies, there to encourage business. Seth's imaginative cooking could be too much for local tastes.
Beth, a muffin-topped ballet teacher, has a husband who is 'something big in politics' in Helena, Montana, and power walks 1000 ft up Mount Helena every morning, usually at 7.30, 340 days a year, for 'some quiet time' which she enthusiastically expounded on for several long minutes when we met at the top.
David Spinks, my mum's cousin emigrated from England in the early 70s to take up an offer to found the new drama department at Lethbridge university, Alberta. He loved the opportunities available, the enthusiasm of students and faculty, and the easygoing lifestyle. Perhaps the flat windswept expanses reminded him of his native East Anglia... He must also have greatly appreciated the care for the elderly as he convinced his parents to join him. But unlike most new Canadians he chose to come back to England when he retired. He died two years ago.
Surindra helped us with Vancouver buses. She's been here for forty-five years, has kept her Punjabi accent and goes back every other year. Her daughter is in Montreal and her grandchildren are fluent francophones.
Linda, spending the weekend at the very comfortable Heron Inn and Day Spa for the quilting festival at La Conner, north of Seattle. She always wanted to go to Africa, but now thinks she'll opt for Costa Rica since "it's like Africa used to be".
Bryan, the bright young black manager of National car rental returns at Seattle airport: the epitome of positive, renowned, American customer service (without the artficial ingratiating chat of restaurant waiters hoping for a tip...). Pure friendly interest and willingness to help.
Seth and Elizabeth, who run the Cup and Saucer in tiny run down Sherburn, Minnesota won the place in a competition after writing an essay on why they should be chosen. He's a local, a trained cook, she has an MBA, and their house was repossessed by the bank, so the current owner chose to give it to them. 3 months on we were the only customers apart from the former owner and his buddies, there to encourage business. Seth's imaginative cooking could be too much for local tastes.
Beth, a muffin-topped ballet teacher, has a husband who is 'something big in politics' in Helena, Montana, and power walks 1000 ft up Mount Helena every morning, usually at 7.30, 340 days a year, for 'some quiet time' which she enthusiastically expounded on for several long minutes when we met at the top.
David Spinks, my mum's cousin emigrated from England in the early 70s to take up an offer to found the new drama department at Lethbridge university, Alberta. He loved the opportunities available, the enthusiasm of students and faculty, and the easygoing lifestyle. Perhaps the flat windswept expanses reminded him of his native East Anglia... He must also have greatly appreciated the care for the elderly as he convinced his parents to join him. But unlike most new Canadians he chose to come back to England when he retired. He died two years ago.
Surindra helped us with Vancouver buses. She's been here for forty-five years, has kept her Punjabi accent and goes back every other year. Her daughter is in Montreal and her grandchildren are fluent francophones.
Linda, spending the weekend at the very comfortable Heron Inn and Day Spa for the quilting festival at La Conner, north of Seattle. She always wanted to go to Africa, but now thinks she'll opt for Costa Rica since "it's like Africa used to be".
Bryan, the bright young black manager of National car rental returns at Seattle airport: the epitome of positive, renowned, American customer service (without the artficial ingratiating chat of restaurant waiters hoping for a tip...). Pure friendly interest and willingness to help.
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