Follow Ramesh's Journey

Today was great! We drove into Montréal bright and early to join Kim, Pete and Merv on 97.7 CHOM FM’s morning show. We went live at 8:10 am and had a great time with everyone in the studio. Fred Avertick, a local communications specialist, met us at the station. Fred has been working with Chris to help attract media in the Montréal area, and he joined us for the first half of the day.

After the interview and a quick breakfast, Fred, Chris and I met with the rest of the team at City Hall for a meeting with Mrs. Francine Senécal, Vice-Président of the excutive committee of the City of Montréal responsible for sports and leisure.  Mrs. Senécal was wonderful, and several media outlets came to cover the reception and our signing of the city’s Golden Book. Afterwards, the team spent time at the Old Port, and made our way up rue Saint Laurent to speak with people about Cycle to Walk. We even met up with a family who already knew about the campaign thanks to a past article in the Anglican Journal.

After successfully navigating rush hour traffic to the outskirts of Montréal, the team returned to Laval where several local Rotary Clubs all came together for dinner to show their support for Cycle to Walk. The Club Rotary de Laval, the Club Rotary de Longueuil Rive-Sud, the Club Rotary de Saint-Jérome, the Club Rotary de Mont-Tremblant, the Club Rotary Montréal-Ville-Marie, and the Club Rotary de Vieux Montréal all came out to welcome us to their lovely corner of Canada.

Guests at the dinner included provincial MLA Guy Ouellette and federal MP Nicole Demers. Over the course of the evening we shared in a lovely meal, met many new friends, practiced our French, and shared our collective commitment to end polio. There was a feeling in the room that all of the Rotarians and guests understood the message and were just so thrilled to be a part of Cycle to Walk. Everyone there was willing to work towards a polio free world, and funds were committed to the cause. To my surprise, the Rotary Club of Laval even made me an honorary member of their club.

It feels wonderful to be so welcomed and supported in La Belle Province. Everywhere we go, communities welcome us with open arms and wonderful events. Thank you to Jacinthe Paillé Landry for serving as translator at tonight’s dinner. I’m still working on my français, but am thrilled by the warm receptions we’ve been getting.

A great big thank you to Manon Lennon, Présidente de la Club Rotary de Laval, who has worked so hard to make Cycle to Walk’s visit to these two lovely cities on the St. Lawrence a successful one. Manon arranged hotel rooms for the team, Quebec flags for the vehicles, and all of tonight’s activities. You’re wonderful, Manon. Thank you!

Our time in Montreal has come to an end, but the support we’ve received here is amazing. Thank you to everyone for supporting Cycle to Walk and the fight against polio.