September 2011 Guest: Jacques Laurin

Transcription

1 JACQUES LAURIN Passionate for language and Thailand. Lover of life and Asia. Attracted to spiritual and beautiful locations. A writing expert and, of course, an epicurean By creating images through his words, Jacques Laurin gladly shares his eclecticism, his humour and his emotions. As a professor and radio presenter, he has done so for a long time. He has always been a writer. And now, thanks to the publisher of the Ulysses Travel Guides, he has just published Les aventures de Mister Jack en Asie (Mister Jack s Adventures in Asia) in the Mes voyages Ulysse series. Let s dream with him while he evokes some very lively memories of his daily life far away 1 / 10

2 Euphoria - Which trips remain your most euphoric destinations? Jacques Laurin My first cruise when I was 9 to Montréal, Québec and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupr It was a lovely reward for me, an altar boy at my parish. This pilgrimage aspect of it was the trigger for m Also Paris in the summer of 1956! One night, my mother was reading the newspaper, La Presse, as usu Once again, thanks to my savings on my teacher s salary, I left for Paris, on a Dutch boat, the Maasdam There were six days of sailing. Calm days. Rough days. I loved the agitated sea. I loved to hold the secu On the menu: artichokes. I had never eaten one. Why not? To the astonishment of the waiter, I ate the l 2 / 10

3 Land, at last! Why does one think about Christopher Columbus or Jacques Cartier when reaching land? There was a train from Le Havre to Paris. A taxi to my room on Vaugirard Street. When I remember all o Euphoria - Any memorable moments you would like to share with us? Jacques Laurin The Chartres Cathedral. At Université de Montréal, of a In the summer, I travelled to Chartres in memory of the poet who sang the beauty of his cathedral in eve Then, I go inside. Still blinded by the sun, I don t see much. It is total darkness. I move forward cautious Was I struck by Grace? Later on, with maturity, I understood that the intense moment that I couldn t expl Our French in Tokyo. In 1967, I was the host of a French language radio show on CKAC. In each ha That same year, I was travelling around the world with a group of twelve. It was a fabulous 42- day journ --- Do you speak French? --- Bien sûr, je parle français. 3 / 10

4 The Japanese man, smiling, asked if we could meet during his coffee break. We end up drinking tea, of --- Do you know another Japanese person who speaks French? --- Of course. --- Very well. Let s meet tonight and talk and tomorrow we will tape a radio show for Canada. --- You think we can do that? --- Yes. Do you know a radio station where we could tape our show? --- Yes I know the director, he is a client at our bank. --- Would you mind taking care of the arrangements? --- No problem. The next day, at the Tokyo Radio building, the equivalent of the CBC House, twice as large though, a Ja 4 / 10

5 CKAC received the tape. And in La Presse daily, a lovely ad was entitled: Our French... in Tokyo - with Jacques Laurin, Wednesday, 8:30AM. I was quite proud of this accomplishment! Euphoria - Did you meet any specific individuals during a trip who left an enduring impres Jacques Laurin As the Québec President of the jury for the Dictée de Bernard Pivot, I had the On every occasion, when Bernard Pivot was announcing our champions with much warmness and solem Amidst the sumptuous décor of the Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris or the Palais de Chaillot or even at th I also remember our arrival at Mirabel Airport with Jean-Christian Pleau, where a crowd of reporters was To have a drink with Bernard Pivot is also a wonderful time. I stressed his great qualities as a communic In Phuket. Meeting Pivot is great, however meeting ordinary people also promises wonder The old lady with a large hat 5 / 10

6 I love her rice cakes Rolled in breadcrumbs And grilled on charcoal Her precise and delicate movements Bring to this so simple cuisine A real small pleasure. A curvaceous woman Not so young Sitting on a plastic bench, Her immense hat hides her eyes. When she recognizes my voice, Or my feet, She raises her head and smiles. The lovely smile of an old lady. I take two cakes. And she goes away Taking her business on her shoulders And holding in her hand Her small plastic bench. Courage and solid shoulders. Facets of a country Tasting rice. (Translation by Euphoria) Euphoria This edition of our magazine presents a few long stay destinations. You have Jacques Laurin For many Quebecers, retirement comes at a relatively young age and it is pre Travelling is a way to live an active retirement, however having to carry suitcases and almost live in them For the first long stay abroad, it is prudent to limit oneself to one month. Spain, Tunisia, Mexico and Cub Fleeing the harshness of the winter for milder climates is a benefit that old bones appreciate. In the coun 6 / 10

7 As for me, I have chosen Thailand, where I have been spending three months every year for many years Have goals, no regrets! Life is beautiful. One has to enjoy it. This is what I wish for everyone. Tonight, s Well said, Mr. Laurin. Thank you and we are wishing you another long and exceptional stay in Thailand Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré The Chartres Cathedral 7 / 10

8 Tokyo Tea in Japan Bibliothèque nationale de Paris 8 / 10

9 Phuket 9 / 10

10 10 / 10