On
the train from Ottawa to Montreal, we chatted on the phone with Michael Hendricks,
who is seeking his right to marry Rene Leboeuf in Quebec. Michael had an important
meeting to attend that evening, and he was confirming our intention to rendevouz
together somewhere in downtown Montreal when his meeting was over later that night,
around 10:00 p.m.
Our
plan was to check our luggage somewhere in the train station, and then explore
Montreal's night life. However, by the time we arrived in the cool, rainy city
we were ready for bed, exhausted from our early and long day in Ottawa.
The
fact that the Queen Elizabeth hotel was directly above our heads, built on top
of the train station played a big role in our decision! We left a message on Michael's
answering machine, and headed for the check-in desk where we found ourselves the
only room available, a mini-suite with a king-size bed. We surprised, maybe even
pleased, the employee by confirming a single bed was exactly right for us.
We
each had a shower, wrapped ourselves in some fluffy bathrobes and crawled onto
the bed where we began to watch Lord of the Rings on television. We loved the
film, while we lasted, but it didn't stand a chance against our fatigue. We lasted
30 minutes.
The
next morning began with a 6:30 wake-up call and a full day planned for us by Doubleday:
Global TV, "This
Morning Live" with host Tracey McKee.
CBC
Radio, "The World Today" live interview with Andrew Carter
It was a long but exciting
day, where we engaged millions of people in issues about our human rights. Photographers
grappled with rainfall as they attempted to get decent pictures of us, and we
gamely stood in the rain until the photographers decided we were too wet for one
more shot.
At the end of the day, we pulled up in front of Michael and Rene's lovely home
in central Montreal, for our delayed but long anticipated first meeting. We have
corresponded with each other for almost two years, so it felt like we already
knew each other. Sitting down at a table with some drinks, we easily slipped into
conversation and continued the evening over a fabulous dinner at one of their
neighborhood restaurants.
We
slept soundly in a guest room overlooking Michael and Rene's lovely backyard garden,
lulled by the sound of rain hitting the broad leaves of the ferns outside our
open window.
We
woke up to catch a morning train back to Toronto where we look forward to welcoming
Michael and Rene to their first appearance in Toronto's Pride Parade later this
month!
Thanks
to Stephanie Gowan (Doubleday), Rita and Hank Schaffer and Michael & Rene
for a great visit in Montreal!
