Montreal in Winter

[+ newatthis]

My first winter trip to Montreal. A week before I begin scanning multiple weather sites – will a snowstorm delay my trip? – will the temperatures be unbearably cold? That these sites rarely agree adds to my anxiety. Weather Canada – they should know best, shouldn’t they? – is the most pessimistic: bitter cold, strong probability of snow.

 

The night before take-off all the forecasts converge: 4-8 inches of snow. At the airport the agent tells me I’m lucky to be on a morning flight; afternoon flights have been cancelled. My cab driver from the airport warns that the snow is expected to continue for 2 days.

 

The Hyatt feels like home, and my newly renovated room is smart and stylish. There’s just enough time to unpack, grab some lunch, and head off to Campus. I’m overjoyed to have shops and restaurants and a connection to the Métro directly below the hotel.

 

As I make my way from Beaudry to Campus I’m hardly aware of the wind and cold. Climbing the stairs, I’m caught up in that delicious anticipatory rush: which dancers will be there? will there be customers and energy today? As I reach the top, before my eyes adjust to the light, I hear Antwan calling my name and asking whether I want a small or large beer, and I break out into a big smile as I kiss him hello. A moment later there’s an unforeseen surprise. I had heard that my favorite dancer from the Fall had moved to Taboo, but there he stands, with a warm hug and a grin for me.

 

There’s a nice mixture of the familiar and the new at Campus. Chris is sporting a shorter bleached haircut, but his boyfriend Kenny has moved to Adonis as waiter and dancer. Pascal, alas, has retired; I make a detour to Mado’s to say hello. Campus’ 3 perennial loonies (no, I won’t specify who) are still working.

 

Among the noteworthy new (at least to me) guys are Brad (“of course I kiss; I’m gay”) and Gabriel. Gabriel, who works as a roofer during good weather, is solid and very muscled, not my usual type at all, but Antwan insists that I’ll like him, and he’s right. He’s affectionate, sensual, and has a charming deep Québécois accent that I can hardly decipher.

 

Something else new: several times during the afternoon there are duo shows by some of the dancers, most of whom are grouped, Taboo-style, around a single client. I get the scoop the next day: he’s an overseas customer who pays for these special shows. One dancer later shows off a diamond earring this customer bought him on his previous visit.

 

On Tuesday I drop by Taboo around 9 pm. Things look pretty dead, and I expect to finish my drink and take off. But then a shaggy-haired, blond 20-year old with a brilliant smile and a playful manner (Rick) plops himself down at my table, and before long an hour has passed and I’m in the dreaded Taboo back room, where I’m not disappointed.

 

I’m rescued from incipient boredom on my last day as Marc Anthony and Tampa Yankee, two of my Hooville heroes, meet me, as arranged, at Campus. Accompanying them is Firecat, whom I know from a previous visit, a few dancers from Adonis and Taboo, and escort Trey Thurston, who is every bit as cute, warm, and sexy as advertised. We move on to dinner, where we are joined by MTLover (whom I met last August), dancer Helmut from Taboo, and some locals.

 

In previous posts I’ve complained about the dancers at Taboo hanging around one or two customers all night. I finally meet one of these customers at dinner – a charming, funny, and generous man, against whom it’s impossible to hold a grudge.

 

After dinner we move on to Adonis, where the energy our group brings seems to inspire the dancers. Bobby Thompson, whose flights were delayed, meets us there. I’m having a great time, not least with dancer Frank, who manages to surmount the limitations of the Adonis back room. Around midnight, I resign myself to the reality of an early morning flight and go home.

 

Thinking back over conversations this trip, I’m suddenly struck by how many of the dancers have children. Most had the children at a very young age (one is raising a kid he fathered at age 15). Beyond that, their stories are varied – some are straight, some bi, still others discovered they were gay later on. Some of the latter live platonically with the mothers of their children.

 

So what about the weather? It’s very cold and very windy; wind chills get as low as -22º F. And when I absent-mindedly go out in my loafers, my feet quickly feel the cold slush. But all in all, it’s not nearly as bad as I had feared. Though I miss being able to wander around outside, there are remarkable new exhibits at the Fine Arts and Contemporary Art Museums. And I’ve got the boys to keep me warm! :-) :-)

 

PS bigguy, kytop: sorry I missed you!

[Guest zipperzone]

Now that's what I call a great review. Fun, easy to read, articulate and I especially liked the way you handled the weather thingy. It had atmosphere - could almost think I was there too! Thanks for the posting.

[marc anthony]

Thanks for the great post, newatthis (who I discovered is not so "new" lol)

 

Pretty much hit all the nails on the head.

 

It was great to meet you as well... and I am glad you got to meet our "local friend" who is indeed one of the greatest human beings you can meet.

 

I have been having a great time...

 

Everyone has their favorite dancers, and mine this trip are a mixture of old and new.

 

From Campus days: Phil

From Adonis: Travis, Ralph, Devin, Frank, John, and Patrick

From Taboo: Helmuth

 

Of course, you can see that most of my favorites are at Adonis. But I will also say that I spent LOTS of time at Taboo. Goes to show you how much I enjoyed Helmuth.

[marc anthony]

BTW... I couldn't agree more with all the praises being sung about Trey Thurston (admittedly some of the singing has been done by me). He is a first class young man.

 

Also was great to meet Big Guy in Pasadena and mtllover as well, and have our toast to Hooboy on Friday with Tampa, KyTop, and Bobby Thompson (who is fucking adorable as ever) along with all the above mentioned people.

 

If I left someone out.. it's not intentional. It really is hard to keep a clear head up here!

 

 

:7 :7

[KY_TOP]

>PS bigguy, kytop: sorry I missed you!

 

I am also sorry our paths did not cross. After 9 hours of flight delays I finally got in about midnight Thursday. (Don't know which I dislike more American Airlines or O'Hare x( ) Caught up with Marc, Tampa, my favorite twink Bobby Thompson (geez I love that kid's smile), and Firecat at Adonis a little after 1am. Firecat was the usual great host showing me a few new restaurants, I really enjoyed. bigguy, sorry didn't get a chance to chat, seems we both got distracted with our company. It was also good to meet Trey. Seems he was enjoying his visit even more than we were and I didn't think that possible. I still have Sinatra's "New York New York" ringing in my ears with a vision of Trey and Adonis' manager dancing on stage after the Club closed. BTW, they kept their clothes on.

 

My Favorites this trip were:

 

Campus: Brad (All I can say is WOW and yes he does kiss, very well I must say)

Stock: Riccardo, I always enjoy my time with him and was very surprised when he greeted me by name. It was cool to be remembered.

Adonis': Mitchell and Frank (Sadly I didn't take him to the back until my last hour there, what a mistake on my part)

Taboo: Antoine (he's gained alittle weight and muscle...looking good)

 

I was truly surprised by the big improvement of Adonis. Now if they could just get rid of their 3 ladies' nights.

 

I usually hate cold weather but for some reason I enjoyed the cold and snow BUT, baby it sure was warm inside.

 

It was really great to spend time with the gang again. My trip was way tooooo short. Gotta figure a way to get back sooner.

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

newatthis,

 

Nice post. It was a pleasure finally getting to meet you. Sorry that you had to return the next day but I enjoyed our conversations at Campus and later at dinner. Hopefully we sent you home on an 'up note'.

 

It was my pleasure to meet you, MTLover, and BGP for the first time and seeing KY_Top and gorgeous Bobby Thompson again. I can't say too many good things about Trey Thruston -- a sweet and sexy guy that added a lot of energy and fun to the trip. Quite simply he is a GREAT companion and great company all around. And as always, Marc Anthony, a good friend, is great fun and generous to a fault. He is also an inspiration.

 

I'm happy you got to meet our special Montreal friend. He is a real prince that I can't say enough about. A real gentleman, generous, humerous, warm and friendly. I am in his debt for helping me with a flat tire repair. I took on a pothole and lost -- tire damaged beyond repair. New replacement difficult and expensive to come by in MTL so he arranged for a suitable used tire to get me home. He had it mounted, he delivered it to my hotel and had my donut spare changed out by two twinks. All of this in response to my request for a recommendation for a local tire company. Truly a genrous gentleman.

 

It was also good to see many other Montreal friends again -- older and younger -- and to meet other regular Montreal visitors that are not MC members. Another great Montreal experience.

[+ newatthis]

>...he delivered it to my hotel and had my donut spare changed out by two twinks.

 

The same two he had at dinner? They're too cute to be wasted changing tires -- or did they provide other services? :9 :-) (I think I'm beginning to get the hang of this smiley thing.)

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

>The same two he had at dinner?

 

The very same.

[marc anthony]

>>The same two he had at dinner?

>

>The very same.

 

Actually, you lie. One was the same, the other was another cutie. Don't underestimate how many twinks are hanging around our friend waiting for the opportunity to change a tire to win his approval.

 

Damn... I gotta find out his secret.

 

hehe

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

>>>The same two he had at dinner?

>>

>>The very same.

>

>Actually, you lie. One was the same, the other was another

>cutie. Don't underestimate how many twinks are hanging around

>our friend waiting for the opportunity to change a tire to win

>his approval.

>

>Damn... I gotta find out his secret.

>

>hehe

 

Dammit, you are right!! I was thinking of another dinner with the tire twinks. Ahh... so many dinners, so many twinks. This is why you are the defacto Recording Secretary for our get-togethers.