"The language of Top challenge"

August 29th, 2006
If I am not mistaken, this will be my 3rd year coming to Top Challenge in Montreal. I am not just going to an event, I am going to see friends. Montreal is one helluva city. It’s a unique blend of old and new…of Europe and North America. I estimate this is my 30th time visiting Montreal.
For those of you wondering if you need to speak French in order to visit Montreal, you don’t. Most folks speak English. However, if you do speak even just a little bit of French, it makes the trip even that more special. My French is borderline passable, but truthfully, it’s the fact that I try to speak that makes all the difference in the world. I find the language, culture and customs of Quebec fascinating and truly enjoyable. I have had the priviledge (and continue to have) of staying at people’s homes in Quebec and getting a first hand insight into how life works. It’s a little different than Ontario and believe me, it’s a lot of fun. Sure, I tend to completely mutilate words, but my hosts are very gracious.
If you think about it, we as skaters have our own language and our own customs. Anyone entering our world needs to stop and think for a minute before they barge in. If they make the effort to try and understand what we’re doing, it’s their way of respecting what we are about and through this, they gain our trust. Once this respect and trust is gained, people find they are part of a community.
For those of you who are coming up to Top Challenge, I assure you, rain or shine you will have a blast. The comraderie (hey, isn’t that a French word!?) is fantastic and the city will seduce you…the nightlife in Montreal is a mindblower.
For those of you sitting on the fence, debating whether or not to come, I urge you to get you butts down to La Belle Province. Montreal is about 5 hours from NYC…
Finally, for those of you who would love to come, but for whatever reason are unable, I hope that you will at least buy some good French wine, cheese and bread and rent a great French movie (try Jean de Floret or Diva) and think of us next weekend (having the time of our lives!)