Canuck style livin'
So. I met Jonas' whole family this week. In
Canada.
Now, you would think that as a photographer I would think to bring a camera on my vacation.
You would be wrong.
Fortunately for you all, Jonas brought his little digital Elph camera, so I took some pictures.
Anyway, the first thing I learned about Canada is that you need your passport to get in. And in a post 9/11 world, you also have to pass a rigorous screening at the border where some border patrol guy will ask you probing questions like "How long have the two of you been dating?" and "Are you nervous about meeting his parents?"
I haven't really ever been to Canada. Well, actually I went once in 1981, but that was just for one afternoon where my family and I drove across the border to have lunch with some of their friends in Vancouver. I was eight years old and for all I knew we could have been eating lunch at the McDonald's in Naperville. So this time I paid attention.
Instead of flying, we decided to make a road trip of it and, as Jonas reasoned, my new car is in desperate need of some miles. (I suspect he just wanted to drive my car on some road in Canada that only has police patrol from 9 to 5... but I digress).
I also learned another very interesting fact about Canadians. They are not allowed to smile in their passport photos. I kid you not. Apparently they will actually REJECT your passport photo if you have anything resembling a smile in your photo. However, you are not allowed to scowl either. The logic, so I am told, is that terrorists look sinister so in order to recognize the criminal element, the crazy Canadians have sensibly ensured that ALL of their citizens look like terrorists in their passport photos.
I am not saying that I look great in my photo, but dontcha think Jonas looks like he just got arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct?
After we crossed the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor Ontario, we made our way about seven hours north of the border to stay at a lake house owned by a family whom Jonas grew up with - the Weges. We spent a lovely weekend with their whole family eating, drinking, swimming, water skiing, working on an enormous 1000 piece puzzle that we managed to finish right before we left! I wish I had thought to pull out the camera but I was having so much fun that I just never got around to it!
After that, we drove three hours south to stay for several days at Jonas' father's cottage in Muskoka, Ontario.
Jonas is a cottage kid... He grew up spending every summer at his family's cottage at the lake. It is one of his favorite places in the world and I felt really lucky to get to share that experience with him.
Muskoka is a beautiful labyrinth of lakes, where you travel primarily by boat.
Since I let Jonas drive my car, I thought it was only fair that I get to drive his boat...
The weather was perfect. 78 sunny, great breeze, beautiful fluffy clouds. So relaxing.
So we stayed with Jonas's father, Stephen and sister, Sabrina...
It was Jonas' birthday while we were there and Stephen took us out for lovely dinner on the lake.
After I took some pictures of Jonas and Sabrina for Stephen...
...Stephen took one of Jonas and me.
We had a great time with Stephen and Sabrina and it was a pleasure to get to spend such a fun four days with them!
Later in the week we set off to visit Jonas' mom in Picton, Ontario. As we were leaving Muskoka though, I saw what I think is the most ridiculous name for a street I have ever seen... I mean c'mon, back me up -- when we start naming streets after baking ingredients, we are kind of scraping the bottom of the barrel, eh? [see I picked up a little Canadian lingo!]
[It's really hard to get that big sign and my big melon in the picture at the same time!!]
We made a stop at a place Jonas loves to get 15 pounds of Canadian bacon which is known in Canada as peameal or back bacon. Anyway, as far as the US Department of Agriculture is concerned, we ate all 15 pounds north of the border!
So while I was waiting for Jonas to get his bacon, I made friends with a gang of Shriners who eat breakfast every morning at this little cafe...
Not unlike my country, Jonas' country has silly novelty attractions...
...and animals woefully far from their native lands...
...and kitschy stores that sell farm fresh goodness...
...and kitschy stores that sell dead people's stuff.
Finally we got to Jonas' mom's store. Faye owns a lovely designer resale boutique that features all kinds of hidden treasure. I scored a tan Tod's bag and fantastic wrap from St. John's Collection! Anyway, Faye is just delightful. You can't help but fall in love with the woman. I love her energy and spirit and kindness and humor. I was very sorry that we didn't get to spend more time together because I just adored her, start to finish.
Jonas and his mom
Me chillin' on the deck at Faye's farm
The visit with Faye was shorter than I would have liked, but we had to get back on the road for the 11 hour drive. But it was an awesome trip and yes, I survived my trip to the North Country and Jonas survived bringing me home. And everybody is still in love. So it's all good people... stay turned for the sequel: Thanksgiving with the Avocado Mafia in Palo Alto...
xoxo
rvt
Now, you would think that as a photographer I would think to bring a camera on my vacation.
You would be wrong.
Fortunately for you all, Jonas brought his little digital Elph camera, so I took some pictures.
Anyway, the first thing I learned about Canada is that you need your passport to get in. And in a post 9/11 world, you also have to pass a rigorous screening at the border where some border patrol guy will ask you probing questions like "How long have the two of you been dating?" and "Are you nervous about meeting his parents?"
I haven't really ever been to Canada. Well, actually I went once in 1981, but that was just for one afternoon where my family and I drove across the border to have lunch with some of their friends in Vancouver. I was eight years old and for all I knew we could have been eating lunch at the McDonald's in Naperville. So this time I paid attention.
Instead of flying, we decided to make a road trip of it and, as Jonas reasoned, my new car is in desperate need of some miles. (I suspect he just wanted to drive my car on some road in Canada that only has police patrol from 9 to 5... but I digress).
I also learned another very interesting fact about Canadians. They are not allowed to smile in their passport photos. I kid you not. Apparently they will actually REJECT your passport photo if you have anything resembling a smile in your photo. However, you are not allowed to scowl either. The logic, so I am told, is that terrorists look sinister so in order to recognize the criminal element, the crazy Canadians have sensibly ensured that ALL of their citizens look like terrorists in their passport photos.
I am not saying that I look great in my photo, but dontcha think Jonas looks like he just got arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct?
After we crossed the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor Ontario, we made our way about seven hours north of the border to stay at a lake house owned by a family whom Jonas grew up with - the Weges. We spent a lovely weekend with their whole family eating, drinking, swimming, water skiing, working on an enormous 1000 piece puzzle that we managed to finish right before we left! I wish I had thought to pull out the camera but I was having so much fun that I just never got around to it!
After that, we drove three hours south to stay for several days at Jonas' father's cottage in Muskoka, Ontario.
Jonas is a cottage kid... He grew up spending every summer at his family's cottage at the lake. It is one of his favorite places in the world and I felt really lucky to get to share that experience with him.
Muskoka is a beautiful labyrinth of lakes, where you travel primarily by boat.
Since I let Jonas drive my car, I thought it was only fair that I get to drive his boat...
The weather was perfect. 78 sunny, great breeze, beautiful fluffy clouds. So relaxing.
So we stayed with Jonas's father, Stephen and sister, Sabrina...
It was Jonas' birthday while we were there and Stephen took us out for lovely dinner on the lake.
After I took some pictures of Jonas and Sabrina for Stephen...
...Stephen took one of Jonas and me.
We had a great time with Stephen and Sabrina and it was a pleasure to get to spend such a fun four days with them!
Later in the week we set off to visit Jonas' mom in Picton, Ontario. As we were leaving Muskoka though, I saw what I think is the most ridiculous name for a street I have ever seen... I mean c'mon, back me up -- when we start naming streets after baking ingredients, we are kind of scraping the bottom of the barrel, eh? [see I picked up a little Canadian lingo!]
[It's really hard to get that big sign and my big melon in the picture at the same time!!]
We made a stop at a place Jonas loves to get 15 pounds of Canadian bacon which is known in Canada as peameal or back bacon. Anyway, as far as the US Department of Agriculture is concerned, we ate all 15 pounds north of the border!
So while I was waiting for Jonas to get his bacon, I made friends with a gang of Shriners who eat breakfast every morning at this little cafe...
Not unlike my country, Jonas' country has silly novelty attractions...
...and animals woefully far from their native lands...
...and kitschy stores that sell farm fresh goodness...
...and kitschy stores that sell dead people's stuff.
Finally we got to Jonas' mom's store. Faye owns a lovely designer resale boutique that features all kinds of hidden treasure. I scored a tan Tod's bag and fantastic wrap from St. John's Collection! Anyway, Faye is just delightful. You can't help but fall in love with the woman. I love her energy and spirit and kindness and humor. I was very sorry that we didn't get to spend more time together because I just adored her, start to finish.
Jonas and his mom
Me chillin' on the deck at Faye's farm
The visit with Faye was shorter than I would have liked, but we had to get back on the road for the 11 hour drive. But it was an awesome trip and yes, I survived my trip to the North Country and Jonas survived bringing me home. And everybody is still in love. So it's all good people... stay turned for the sequel: Thanksgiving with the Avocado Mafia in Palo Alto...
xoxo
rvt
Posted: Fri - July 21, 2006 at 08:23 PM
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Every week, in my blog, I will showcase my amazing couples as well as give you a chance to get to know a bit about me and what my approach to wedding photography is all about.
You'll also get to know my cast of supporting characters, including my production assistant, Caitlin, (who is also my regular associate shooter), my boyfriend, Jonas, and of course Fernando, my UPS delivery guy.
I'd love to get to know you too, so be sure to leave feedback!
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Every week, in my blog, I will showcase my amazing couples as well as give you a chance to get to know a bit about me and what my approach to wedding photography is all about.
You'll also get to know my cast of supporting characters, including my production assistant, Caitlin, (who is also my regular associate shooter), my boyfriend, Jonas, and of course Fernando, my UPS delivery guy.
I'd love to get to know you too, so be sure to leave feedback!
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Published On: Jul 27, 2006 06:42 PM
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Published On: Jul 27, 2006 06:42 PM