So I’ve reached lucky #13. I’ve been writing about recent people in my life and started thinking about past random encounters I’ve had. A handful stand out, but there are 2 people I’m particularly fond of. I was incredibly lucky to have run into them.
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a huge Radiohead fan.
Back in 2008 I decided to go see Radiohead in Montreal at Parc Jean-Drapeau. It was a solo trip. I tend to travel alone because of a certain amount of freedom it offers. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. I love traveling with friends, but there are sometimes constraints. Love you friends!
This was my first time in Montreal and I had a blast meeting all sorts of interesting characters, including 2 now long time friends from Mexico. I’ll write about them some time in the future and get into the concert more. Here’s a brief summary of the shenanigans I got myself into:
- Got temporarily detained at the airport for wearing a white cap. Evidently, I was profiled as Muslim.
- Went about town taking random photos and almost getting into a fight on the metro with someone who didn’t appreciate getting photographed.
This punk.
- Eating sorbet and getting finagled into joining 2 random girls for a pre-Radiohead show. This is where I first saw a local Cali band called Judgement Day. They’re fantastic! Check them out.
- Going with same random girls to Radiohead. Score!
- Getting epically rained on at said concert. You’ll just have to wait for a future post about that.
- Meeting cute bartender girl after the show. There was a lot of girlage going on 
- Having a fantastic pastrami sandwich at Schwartz’s. I no longer eat beef or pork, but damn that was a fine and tasty sandwich.
It was at this tasty juncture that I met Michel and Constance. I must have been acting like a tourist (being Asian and whipping out a camera to take a picture of my food probably gave it away. What do you think?). Michel and Constance were sitting next to me, noticed my touristy-ness and struck up a conversation with me. Now, traveling alone a lot I’ve learned to play things safe. Yeah, I can handle myself if it comes down to fisticuffs, but you should still stay on your toes. I was wary as to why they were talking to me. We talked throughout the meal and they seemed amicable enough. We all finished eating around the same time and suddenly they mentioned that they would like to take me to a bagel place and that I would find it incredibly interesting. I thought, huh?
They saw the look on my face and explained that it was where the first bagels launched into space were made. I thought again, huh?
They laughed at my confounded face and said to just come along for the ride. At that point, I pretty much decided that no serial killing couple would entice their victims with bagels, so I said sure, why not. I thought I was in for a long ride. When they drove me 2 blocks away, I had a good chuckle. The place they took me to is Fairmount Bagel and damn! do they have great bagels. I totally recommend eating bagels after a massive pastrami sandwich because who doesn’t like ulcers? I shared some bagels with Michel and Constance and they asked if I needed a ride anywhere else. They said they could show me around town and take me to some other interesting places off the beaten path. At that point, I felt that I could trust them and we took a joyride around town. I have to say that if it wasn’t for them I probably would have missed out on a lot of sight-seeing since I had limited time on my trip. They showed me some true Canadian hospitality and they’ll always have a special place in my heart. Thanks Michel and Constance. Much love!
Yes, I had a mustache and goatee at the time. Shut-up.
