It’s morning and I’m waking up in the most comfortable bed in the most comfortable home in Montebello, Quebec, built in 1917, and now with its fifth owners, my friends, Leo Lavallee and his wife Chantal, who own the restaurant Le Cafe Entre Amis, which, according to Trip Advisor, is the second-best restaurant in Quebec. I’m a little dry from all the wine last night and my voice is raw from laughing.
Leo and Chantal had arranged for a massage therapist from the famous luxury hotel, Fairmont Le Château Montebello, to give me a leg massage last night, which was splendid, though I am sore this morning. She refused to take any money for the massage, just wanted to support me on my trip. It was such a fun time with my friends and meeting new friends.
It was bizarre, however, as I first walked into the tourist town of Montebello. Everyone greeted me as if they knew me. As I approached the Lavallee’s restaurant, the guests eating on the patio greeted me by name. “Welcome, David.” Very strange.
When I entered the restaurant, I discovered that Leo had been running a contest, where the town residents and the restaurant guests could pick a date and time when they thought I might finally arrive at the restaurant. It made me feel special.
One of the things I absolutely love about Montebello is that they have passed a bylaw: No Franchises. So, every boutique, shop, hotel, inn, cafe, and restaurant is completely unique. What a happy difference it makes to the senses.
