Blogue d'un québécois expatrié en Angleterre. Comme toute forme d'autobiographie est constituée d'une large part de fiction, j'ai décidé de nommer le blogue Vraie Fiction.
Monday, 24 June 2013
London for an expat
I went to London today, I came back a few hours ago. Incidentally, it is today Quebec's National Day, St John the Baptist's Day. It was a strange feeling, being in London for the 24th of June and away from Quebec on that day for the seventh year in a row. I have a conflictual relationship with London, a city I used to love, then I got fed up with it. It was the last place I would like to be on this day, the capital city of the British invader. Yet, for some odd reason, it kind of made sense when I got there. There was no Fleurdelisé, no Quebec music to listen to, no special event anywhere to celebrate. Yet I felt very much like a Quebeckers. I heard Quebec voices, I even managed to wish and be wished a happy National Day, in French. And for the music, well, I sang a bit walking in London (this song especially). Of course, it did not feel home, but maybe this is the best way to celebrate St John the Baptist's Day: as an expat, away from the big party and the dilution of the day in drunkenness.
I hope you shook your fist in the general direction of the British Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
ReplyDeleteWell, one can forgive my patriotism at least one day in a year. For my republicanism, I will never apologize;-)
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