Montreal - A trip down memory lane...

[posted by Kizzy]

It does not get any easier saying goodbye! You'd think that by now we'd have grown some tough skin...
From Oakville station we took the train to Toronto - where we got some packed lunch - and then the "Greyhound" coach to Montreal. We got great seats with plenty of legroom but we were ill prepared to deal with the freezing air con that blasted throughout the 6-hour journey - we needed our jumpers but they were packed away...

 I didn't really know what to expect of Montreal, Col mentioned that it is essentially francophone and has an European feel. By now I learned that it is better not to have expectations so that I can fully immerse myself in the experience.

When we arrived the weather was humid and rainy. We picked our train tickets to Boston in Montreal and then took a cab to Outremont where we would for the next two days with Will, Louise and their daughter Ruby. Unfortunately the cabbie didn't understand Col's accent and dropped us off at Rockland street instead of Hartland st. As luck would have it we were not far away from the original address and Will was there in less than 5 minutes to pick us up.

Will, Ruby and Lou

Will and Ruby

The following day they took us out to Mount Royal to enjoy the popular 'Poutine' meal. It was a really nice meal, the kind you fancy after a hangover or as comfort food on those rainy days. The sauce of the one I chose reminded me of my mum's traditional steak with onions. Memories. Whilst we were busy eating Ruby created her own pretend world where she was a waitress and we were her customers, she sold us some pretend food. Very good service Ruby!

The Poutine meal

Ruby playing in the restaurant

We were very pleased with the choice

Poutine has our vote

After the meal we were left to roam the city and discover it at our own pace. We didn't have an agenda for our stay in Montreal. Col was keen to return because he lived here between the ages of 8-10 years old when his dad was working for Via Rail. So he took a trip down memory lane...

First thing you notice, is that Montreal has more of a variety of housing and buildings and is less flat than Toronto. There's the long avenues lined with trees, so much green! I like that. My favourite was the Plateau Mount-Royal, where you can see the 'traditional houses' with the external staircases all in different colours. I also loved the vast spaces dedicated  to arts and entertainment. 

Traditional houses

One of the parks near the Plateau

Sensai Col

We walked our way back home, marveling at the different faces of Montreal. Couldn't really read people here, I didn't feel a connection. Well, Col said he could identify the French women. I couldn't. Montrealers seem generally young, trendy and somewhat detached. It felt safe and quiet, we wondered about that when we saw a police officer telling off a citizen who crossed the road on a red signal - it's forbidden to jaywalk here. Something bizarre did happen, we watched this lady riding a cow in the middle of the city, for no apparent reason other than because she wanted to do so.

The lady riding a cow in the streets of Montreal

Check out the fashion - white socks cool again

Cool graffiti

During the weekend we stayed over, Ruby mastered her handling of the 'scooter' and was given the opportunity to show off her skills when we spent the Sunday afternoon in Mount Royal Park a.k.a La Montagne - here you can enjoy beautiful views of Montreal, this is the highest point of the city.

Ruby with her scooter

The view from La Montagne

Still at La Montagne

The other precious thing to share about Ruby is that she loves jumping  in puddles splashing the water all around with the impact. She takes her time choosing the most challenging ones, after carefully scanning for mum's approving nod. Simple pleasures. Will speaks to her in English and Lou in French, and Ruby fully masters both languages and the sweet thing is that she speaks English with an English accent. 'Lovely jubley!'

Our afternoon was cut short by heavy rain, and we rushed home but not without first stopping at a popular bagels baker, Viateur Bagels, and getting some to enjoy later. Also known as the best bagel house of Montreal.

Viateur Bagels

With one day left to spare, we ventured to the old quarter, as Col would say 'the tourist trap'. It was bustling with people and vibrancy. An international food festival was taking place with live band performers and street performers all around.  Meandering on the backstreets we found a little gem of an Indian restaurant where we enjoyed our first curry since arriving to Canada. I say 'we' but I really mean Col. I had a nice and tender Tandoori chicken. I'm not one to favour Indian cuisine but this one seriously has my vote - can't remember the name of the restaurant though!

 Lou, Will and Ruby thank you for having us! We had a really good time and thoroughly enjoyed your company. 

Next stop: Boston.

A few thoughts
So far children have been a recurring theme in our journey. Maybe a sign of change. They scare me a bit you know. Irrational as it may be. It's that they have this natural honesty that you can't run away from. In life we are taught to deal with adults. Often as adults we master the art of 'being with people' whilst children, well they just 'are' with no agenda. I also noticed how the dynamics of a relationship changes when you have children. They change you. And it's like walking on edge, keeping your relationship, yourself and the children's needs carefully balanced. I'm reflecting on this one.