Day 1: Sunday, Feb 17th
I never thought I would chronicle my Montreal adventures. Visiting a new city has become routine for me and usually the pictures speak for themselves. However, being in Montreal is like being in a foreign country. Oh wait, it is a foreign country. While I've considered Canada to be an extension of the United States with people that use the metric system and pronounce their z's as zed, Montreal has been evidence of how different this country really is. Also, my hands would rather stay in the warmth of my mittens than take photos of this picturesque city. It's really cold. The temperatures aren't unfamiliar for a Chicagoan, but something about the air makes the cold wind pierce through your skin like tiny daggers.
Now that I've established my rationale, (Damn PhD, what are you doing to me?) I can report the happenings of my first day here. I landed in Montreal around 3:30 pm local time. Immediately, I was greeted by this amusing fixture (see below) in the ladies washroom at the airport.
Next, I tried to decipher the broken English+French directions to take the 747 express to my B&B. The lady said it was a 10-minute walk. She couldn't be more wrong. With my backpack+laptop+carry-on, it took me about 25 minutes uphill to get to my temporary abode. All my anger for the inaccurate airport lady and the numerous rude strangers who refused to give me directions vanished when I saw the cozy little place I am staying at. Yes folks, it is a castle. And my room has a balcony. If I still had long hair, I'd totally play Rapunzel.
I dropped off my stuff and changed out of my travel clothes for a quick walk around the neighborhood. I must admit, the McGill campus is beautiful. When I returned, I got some more information from the concierge on nearby attractions and Montreal must-sees. Apparently, public transit is a fairly convenient way to explore the city. I boarded the 24 to meet up with a friend for dinner at 3 amigos on St. Catherine. The bus driver, Fablese, spoke only French. However, he was extremely helpful and patiently waited as I sabotaged the street names to describe exactly where I wanted to go. Lucky for me, while returning later in the night, he was making his rounds back!
At 3 amigos, there was a huge line. When our food and drinks came, we knew exactly why. The strawberry-mango margarita was amazing (and ginormous). After an hour of binge eating and gossiping, we called it a night.
Thus ended Day 1. But the adventures are just beginning. Stay tuned for Day 2...
I never thought I would chronicle my Montreal adventures. Visiting a new city has become routine for me and usually the pictures speak for themselves. However, being in Montreal is like being in a foreign country. Oh wait, it is a foreign country. While I've considered Canada to be an extension of the United States with people that use the metric system and pronounce their z's as zed, Montreal has been evidence of how different this country really is. Also, my hands would rather stay in the warmth of my mittens than take photos of this picturesque city. It's really cold. The temperatures aren't unfamiliar for a Chicagoan, but something about the air makes the cold wind pierce through your skin like tiny daggers.
Now that I've established my rationale, (Damn PhD, what are you doing to me?) I can report the happenings of my first day here. I landed in Montreal around 3:30 pm local time. Immediately, I was greeted by this amusing fixture (see below) in the ladies washroom at the airport.
Next, I tried to decipher the broken English+French directions to take the 747 express to my B&B. The lady said it was a 10-minute walk. She couldn't be more wrong. With my backpack+laptop+carry-on, it took me about 25 minutes uphill to get to my temporary abode. All my anger for the inaccurate airport lady and the numerous rude strangers who refused to give me directions vanished when I saw the cozy little place I am staying at. Yes folks, it is a castle. And my room has a balcony. If I still had long hair, I'd totally play Rapunzel.
I dropped off my stuff and changed out of my travel clothes for a quick walk around the neighborhood. I must admit, the McGill campus is beautiful. When I returned, I got some more information from the concierge on nearby attractions and Montreal must-sees. Apparently, public transit is a fairly convenient way to explore the city. I boarded the 24 to meet up with a friend for dinner at 3 amigos on St. Catherine. The bus driver, Fablese, spoke only French. However, he was extremely helpful and patiently waited as I sabotaged the street names to describe exactly where I wanted to go. Lucky for me, while returning later in the night, he was making his rounds back!
At 3 amigos, there was a huge line. When our food and drinks came, we knew exactly why. The strawberry-mango margarita was amazing (and ginormous). After an hour of binge eating and gossiping, we called it a night.
Thus ended Day 1. But the adventures are just beginning. Stay tuned for Day 2...
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