I have never been to an Olympic event, but in 1976, when Montreal was the host, I met two gentlemen who were on their way to the games — until a not-so-funny thing happened.

My summer job that year was at the Ontario Tourist Information booth located at the base of the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie.  At that time, the Peace Bridge was the busiest entry port to Canada and our little trailer was the first stop for tourists looking to pick up maps and Niagara Falls information.

One fine day, two young African American men drove into the parking lot in a small red top-down sports car.  Dressed in the style of the day, they both had long puffed out afros, flared pinwale corduroy hip hugging pants, colourful printed shirts, and short jean jackets. 

They were so excited to be in Canada.  Man, were they excited!  Canada!  They had driven to Fort Erie all the way from New York, and they had tickets to the Olympics! 

“How do we get from here to Montreal?” 

I pulled out the official Ontario map.  I unfolded it and, as I had been trained to do, I pointed out where we were and where Montreal was.  I used the official marker and started to outline their route — follow the Q.E.W., around the lake, through Toronto, onto the 401, on to Kingston…

And here, they became quiet.  Very quiet.  They looked at me in disbelief and asked how long this would take.

“Ten hours, give or take.”

Their exuberance was visibly deflating before my very eyes.  They were shaking their heads, “No, no, no, that can’t be.”  They double checked with me.  One of them put his head down on the counter.  “No, nooo, noo.”

They looked at each other… “We’re going to miss our event.”

You see, it is approximately an eight hour drive north from New York to Montreal.  They had driven eight hours west.  They thought when they crossed the Peace Bridge into Canada, Montreal would be right around the corner.

I never found out how they made the error… and I never found out what they did after they left, though I have always wondered.  Did they turn around and drive back to New York?  Or did they carry on to Montreal and try and see another event?

Straight ahead is this week’s installment of Contentment is for Cows…

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