Journey of a Travelling Sock
Today was a long and wonderful day. It started off bright and early with a bus ride to Montreal (very productive for knitting!), an adventure through the Biodome where we explored several different artificial biomes.
There were monkeys and macaws and otters and lots of fish and frogs and starfish…
…and penguins…
…and puffins…
…and so much more that were hiding–I never did see the 3 sloths that were apparently up in the vegetation.
In the gift shop I found lots of cute things, including these knitted beauties! Can you imagine that there are people in Kenya knitting life size penguins?
It seems a bit strange to me, but I was impressed by the “made from scratch” aspect–hand spun, hand dyed, hand knit…right up my alley!
After the biodome and a quick lunch downtown we headed to the Cirque Du Soleil tent at the old port. I had walked past this site once before, never thinking that I’d have the chance to see a show. I’m so glad that I took the opportunity to go today!
I am not able to sum up in words what I saw–and photography wasn’t allowed. There were feats of strength and balance, daring acts on a trapeze, incredible synchronized performances of unicyclists who kicked metal bowls onto their heads and the heads of other unicyclists–you have to see it to believe it. There was a hoop dancer, and a rollerskating duo, and a couple of clowns who made several appearances and were very funny! There were people in monkey suits that you’d swear were ACTUALLY monkeys, and guys doing trampoline stunts on a flexible balance beam.
The costumes, were elaborate and beautiful. The music was rhythmic and blended so well with the action–at one point scientists in lab coats were playing percussion on giant test tubes, and playing small test tubes like panpipes.
I strongly recommend going to see a show if you ever have the opportunity.
Of course, I took the opportunity to finish my my sock during intermission. I will always remember that this was my Cirque Du Soleil sock.
People laughed a lot when I was taking these pictures–most of my family and friends know that I knit a lot, and take pictures and post them up here, but to strangers in Montreal I must have been quite a sight. Some stopped to talk to me, but others giggled and walked right on by.
Trying on my finished sock! Very excited that it fits and it stays up thanks to calf shaping (increasing 2 stitches every 6 or 7 rows up the back of the leg). I must get started on the second sock because I want to be able to wear them before it gets too warm for wool.
