Ilze Berzins

Ever since the 2010 Olympics there are no more Scragsvilles. Everything in Canada is glorious…and free.

Canada now owns hockey, as well as a brand-new boisterous nationalism.

And here I am, getting ready to bail.

No travelogue would be complete without the day-by-day account (even if posted in reverse order) of preparations.

Monday March 1

George has his nose immersed in his German grammar book. A week from now he has to shlep down to Montreal and to the Goethe Institut and pass a German language exam.

I’m glad it’s not me. The only phrase I know is: Ich habe kein scheisspapier.

For the life of me I can’t remember where I picked that one up.


Comments:

7 Responses to “Scragsville No More”

  1. Petra writes:

    I must say, dear lady, if you wish to come to Germany, you will have to up-grade your language.

  2. ilzeberzins writes:

    Petra! You are right. I have lived like a scrag for many years–strike that. For all my life.
    I’m really afraid. Will I be able to function in the very ordered, very formal, very proper lifestyle of a doctor’s wife?

  3. butterfly writes:

    sorry you will be leaving the big capital, and no more scrags…………..good luck over there……..!!
    with art, anything is possible! boop!

  4. ilzeberzins writes:

    You believe in Art, Butterfly.
    But does anyone else? I didn’t notice Art appreciation in Scragsville– apart from the dry, ready-made formula the daily rag, The Ottawa Citizen, liked to put out in the guise of an arts report.
    No, I’m not bitter. About Scragsville, I mean.
    I note your use of “BOOP!”
    Yes, that is indeed a universal signal. Long may it live!

  5. butterfly writes:

    Well, for the art-lessness I would understand your leaving Scragsville – I imagine you will find more appreciation in your destination . I look forward to any results!!!

  6. ilzeberzins writes:

    Ah Butterfly…
    It is not for art-lessness that I must depart this Ville of the Living Scrags (Regrets I’ll have a few but then again too few to mention).
    I am now a married woman and must follow my man.
    Just think: I will be Frau Doktor von Butlers and no longer ‘hey-you’ or ‘you guys’.
    To be honest I’m sneaking that von in. Much like some in Montreal, sneaking in the de.
    God, Europeans are snobs!

  7. butterfly writes:

    Can i call you Frau Doktor then??!!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Captcha loading...