Cat Jahnke Mews

Along the way I’m encountering numerous new flavors of water, from clorine to mold to egg. Why hasn’t anyone thought of bottling a series of Canadian city tap waters! It would be the equivalent of Bertie Bot Jelly Bellies… Yuck.

I was curious recently about the “flavor” of Winnipeg’s water. How had it become so strong? I’m not a fan of buying water; it seems to be a resource that shouldn’t have to be purchased. Like air! I came across the Water & Waste section of winnipeg.ca and was quite shocked:

“Do we meet the Canadian drinking water quality guidelines?
Yes, most of them. There are more than 80 guidelines for drinking water quality. Winnipeg supplies good quality drinking water, and usually meets these guidelines. However, we are not always able to meet the guidelines for turbidity, odour and trihalomethanes (TRY-hal-oh-meth-aynes).”

Read more about trihalomethanes and it’s “possible link” to cancer HERE.

Then last week in Winnipeg, several homes were flooded with wastewater. Click HERE to read an article describing the situation:

Now tell me I’m going crazy, PLEASE, but does this mean what I think it means?!

“…a city crew that had been working on a nearby pumping station apparently failed to reopen a gate that would have allowed wastewater to flow into the Assiniboine River.”

No wonder our water tastes like sh*t.

In other news, I must reiterate that I absolutely adore my job. There are bad days, and there are good days, and it was a good day here in Revelstoke at the Hillcrest Hotel. Beautiful view, beautiful room, beautiful food. I’m so grateful to Chantal for hosting me tonight; I can’t wait to come back!

We specifically asked for a room WITHOUT a jacuzzi…
The things we have to put up with on the road!

Last night we stayed at my grandfather’s farm which is just East of Swift Current, SK on the #1. It had been years since I’d seen the place and it was so strange to return. Imagine re-visiting your elementary school after 20 years of absence. It’s like exploring the set of a movie you’ve watched over and over: it’s hard to believe you were ever there despite the familiarity you feel.

In an attempt to showcase the magic of my youth, we ate Plume Mouse (Eeek – I don’t know how to spell that!) and some of grandpa’s amazing apricot jam. We walked through the junk yard. We fed the horse while two imposing bulls looked on (turns out one of them was lame though so I really didn’t have much to fear… <- sarcastic!). But it wasn’t a complete recap of my childhood: I managed to make it back to the farmhouse without ripping my jeans!

After a great stopover we made our way to Medicine Hat, the new home of Darren’s favorite Donairs. And he should be considered an esteemed judge of such things. Please see the photographic evidence I collected. Obviously a man of impeccable taste… (Samirs Donair on Carry Drive SE)

Doesn’t that look good?

Tonight I played a show at The Doghouse. They had good water and the chef made a mean bruschetta. Yup.

The most exclusive public washroom in Medicine Hat…

It’s clear that when we go to a restaurant we put a lot of faith into the pride of the establishment. I think everything is heightened when one is on the road: the aches from a bad sleep are magnified, the strange circumstances that pop up are more curious (I’m still not over the blizzard we encountered on our way out here!), and the residue from a bad meal lasts longer. Of course no one wants to spend money on poo-food at any time, but when pennies are being pinched and your body is your commodity, it’s unfortunate in triplicate.

Thanks goodness for the delicious veggie chilli at the Main Street Café in Nanton. It probably saved my life!

I’ve been procrastinating this summation and it’s just allowing the holes in my brain to widen and let more information out. Let’s see what I can remember about the last few days of tour…

Wednesday, February 28, The Circus Room, Kitchener, ON

I don’t even know what to say. It was one of those shows. Mike, Brian, John, Tom, Debbie, Sterling, Carlos, Eric, Alonzo, Josh, Brenda, Hunter, Coco, Simon, Darren and I had a great time.

I think people get a kick out of the fact that I can remember all their names in a “crowded” bar. I get a kick out of how people define “crowd”.

Thursday, March 1, Day Off, Toronto

I think I went for a walk. I know I slept.

Friday, March 2, Day Off, Toronto

We kept postponing our trip to Gyros. This was our last chance. It was closed. Someone please visit the restaurant smooshed in at 1 Elm Street in Toronto and let me know how the East Coast Donair tastes so I can inform a desolated Darren.

Saturday, March 3, Searchmont, ON

Early morning, crappy driving, bustling venue: the show must go on! Thank goodness I’m tiny enough to comfortably fold myself into the fetal position on the back seat of a car and get some rest. Perhaps the slip-sliding of the car lulled me to sleep. Somehow I made it through the day.

Sunday, March 4, Loplops, Sault Ste Marie, ON

You know it’s my kind of bar when the side of the “specials menu” facing the bartender displays pictures of his son. Thanks Steve and Jenn and Jackson (Jaxon) and assorted grandparents for letting us share your family for the night.

Loplops invited a local restaurant to cater the evening and it was a real treat. The chef explained the options with such detail and delight that it even counter-acted the wariness of kitchens I’ve developed thanks to a book I’m reading (Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain).

And I was told I sound like this. Do you agree with the comparison?

Monday, March 5 and Tuesday, March 6

Driving driving driving… and all the way I had this in my head (minus the anime – ??)…

There. I did it. One complete tour blog.

Phew…

Well, I’m officially nocturnal again, and that’s not a good thing to be while on tour. Here I am, in cities I’ve never visited, wasting away my sleepless nights and sleeping away my wasteful days. At least I wake up in time to play my evening shows…

Today we were in St. Catharines at Strega: home of the best Nanner Split I’ve ever had, and I’ve recently become a connoiseur. (Does anyone out there have other nominees for top Canadian banana split?) I also partook of the Havana salad (tomato, avocado, boconchini, romaine, LIME!) and it’s stoking the fire. I love that within my career I’m allowed to be inspired by anything and everything. Thanks so much Kelly and Dee!

Fresh tomato
Avocado
Bite size cheese and
Lettuce leaves and
Lime

Obviously a lack of sleep is getting to me… Good night.