Throwback Thursday: Greg Michaels’ Trip To France …..Kind Of

I haven’t done a ‘Throwback Thursday’ story in a few weeks, but tonight I have one from 1984, 30 years ago this summer. It’s about our family trip to France. Well sort of France.

My mother took French in university and wanted immerse herself in the language so she booked a trip to Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Saint Pierre and Miquelon are small French islands off the coast of Canada. Technically it’s France but so close to Newfoundland, Canada you can see the province even on a foggy day.

Quite honestly it was the most surreal vacation I’ve ever been on. It started with a 32 hour boat ride from Halifax to the islands. The boat we took was a cargo ship smaller than the typical cargo ship you’re probably thinking but large enough to get the goods delivered over the open ocean.

The boat booked passengers because over the years technology eliminated much of the crew, so we stayed in the former crew quarters. I didn’t get sick but I saw others fall victim to the swells.

We arrive at Saint Pierre and to my amazement it was like a seeing a big bag of Skittles. All of the houses were bright, colorful and tiny compared to what you see here in the US and Canada. The cars were smaller too. What I remember the French on Saint Pierre like bread and wine along they're meal. Contrary to popular belief they weren't snooty, they were very accommodating and friendly. The girls my age even giggled when they looked at me. OK, maybe they were making fun of me, but I'll just believe they were flirting.

We were there during a festival of some kind. It was in after Bastille Day so it wasn’t that but the locals love to celebrate.

Being so close to Newfoundland you could sort of get by if you didn’t know French but like I mentioned above that’s why we went.

I recall beautiful churches as well. The beaches were nice too but if you think the water is cold here you haven’t felt anything until you try to take a dip off Saint Pierre.

We had a really good time and the boat ride back wasn’t nearly as rough.

I really wish I had pictures to post here but hopefully this video will suffice.