HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY!!!!
Can't believe it's already been five years. It's been fun. AND HERE'S TO THE NEXT 5 YEARS!
WELCOME TO CANADA! Almost... Nothing like waiting an hour an a half to be asked "what do you do for a living?" Could be worse, a guy at the hotel we stayed at was of Italian heritage was asked "Do you plan on attacking or destroying the government?" Has anyone ever answered "yes" to that?
HELLO MONTREAL! It's great being somewhere that loves their city and respects their history again.
ART IS EVERYWHERE IN MONTREAL! It's in galleries. On the walls. In alleys. On the streets.
Megan and I listening to a violinist playing with pop music while drinking Sangria at
Vol De Nuit
Vol De Nuit is on one of many pedestrian only streets in Montreal. It's amazing how active and enjoyable places are without the noise and exhaust of cars.
And when you don't know French, it's always an adventure ordering from someone else where French isn't their first language either. haha
Inside a spaceship called Complexe Desjardins (http://complexedesjardins.com/en). I've been to this mall more than I've been to any mall in a very, very long time.
The FrancoFolies (http://www.francofolies.com/default-fr.aspx) festival in the Quartier des spectacles neighborhood (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartier_des_spectacles). This is an innovative, interesting, fun piece of modern urban design. I've never seen anything like it. It's a large gathering space for the city to have entertainment off all kinds. There are stages, museums, theaters, and so much more within an area a bit larger than a square mile. And it was packed with people of all ages and all times of the day.
Megan saw the waffle stand and couldn't resist.
OH MY GOD! MY IDEA FOR A RESTAURANT ALREADY EXISTS! A French Fries as the entree. Not exactly what I planned, but I may have to buy the franchise rights for the US (http://fritealors.com/en/)
Most of the time we were there, Rue Saint Denis was closed to traffic making it a busy pedestrian zone. Instead of street parking, the streets were lined with outside patio dining.
More UQAM
Centre hospitalier de l'université de Montréal new hospital
Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal (http://www.basiliquenotredame.ca/) in Vieux-Montréal (or old Montreal) So, much of my family was from Quebec. One of my great something grandfather's built the steps to Notre Dame. Unfortunately, I didn't realize there are dozens of churches with the same name within the same area. So, I need to dig into my records and figure that out again...
Le caniche français (The French Poodle)
The Old Bank of Montreal Building
Megan with the French Poodle. If only she had Scout with her...
le carlin anglais (The English Pug)
Overlooking Place D'Armes
Statue on Notre Dame Basilica
The New York Life Building was Montreal's first skyscraper.
The Art Deco Aldred Building
Next to the Notre Dame Basilica is the Old Sulpician Seminary, which is Montreal's oldest building built in 1684
Back to the Notre Dame Basilica
Doors of the Cour d'Appel du Québec
The Old Courthouse
Side of Hôtel de ville de Montréal (City Hall)
Front exterior of Hôtel de ville de Montréal (City Hall)
Hôtel de ville de Montréal topiary
The dome of Marché Bonsecours peeking between buildings.
The Front of Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours. Another Notre Dame!
Looking south down Rue Saint Paul E
It's amazing that these buildings have survived in such a large city. Boston is probably the only other major city that's been able to respect their history as much as Montreal.
So much art in Montreal!
Even the alleys are inviting.
Photo break on Rue Saint Paul E
Historic architectural graffiti
Ruins of a church on Rue Saint Pierre
Palais Des Congrès de Montréal (Montreal Convention Center)
Back at Quartier des Spectacles between Festivals. At least 3 while we were in Quebec
"I'm not too hungry. Just need a little something to get me to dinner. Well, there's a diner up the street that should be good." Nothing like a hardy light lunch at Deville Diner (http://www.devilledinerbar.com/EN/index.html). And yes, those burgers had two patties...
The Arts Building
The backside of an old hospital at the base of Mont Royal
It's fun to see architecture that uses color.
Auberge Le Jardin d'Antoine (http://www.aubergelejardindantoine.com/) is where we stayed in Montreal in the Quartier Latin neighborhood. It was a nice, quiet place to stay that was still close to the action. The neighborhood was very active with lots of great options for eating.
More street art
Old Armory
Nice neighborhood
While having an afternoon drink break at Les Deux Gamins (http://lesdeuxgaminsmontreal.com/?lang=en), we saw this guy walk by. What did he do to his girlfriend/wife that he bypassed the flowers and went straight to a palm tree?
I can't explain to you how detailed this piece is. The black outline appears to be done with a sharpie marker.
#soyezcurieux whatever that means
The pink raven
Keep that building latched
At least it's tears are happy...
Please keep your dinosaurs on the pirate ship and away from the saxophone and walker...
How did we leave Montreal without a pair of these socks?
WHAT?!?!?! How do we get Poutine Ruffles in the States?
Just looking for the trail head for Mont-Royal...
What a view from the summit!
panorama from the top of Mont Royal
Chalet du Mont-Royal
Time to take a break
Strange how we have to go to Montreal to get beautiful, warm summer weather...
Inside the Chalet du Mont-Royal
Sam Champlain telling my family what to do...
Croix of Mont Royal. Their Jesus must be huge!
Looking northeast from Mont Royal. That slanted tower in the distance is Olympic Stadium.
Looking into McGill's Percival-Molson Memorial Stadium
Now this is a garage
Smoked Meat Sandwich from Schwartz's Deli (http://schwartzsdeli.com/ca/en/). If you want to sit down, plan on waiting a very long time. They do have take out and lots of parks nearby.
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours at night
Hôtel de ville de Montréal (City Hall) all lit up
Notre Dame Basilica at night.
Gate to Chinatown
The lobby of the Chinatown Holiday Inn.
Finally able to see the interior of the Notre Dame Basilica
The Chapel burned down. So, they restored much of the wood work and updated the rest. Pretty interesting combination. The sculpture behind the alter is a huge bronze piece.
I really miss having access to mass transit...
Interior of Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours
Dale Chihuly seems to show up on all our vacations too...
Street maze at the museum
The stairs are about 2 inches high and 18 inches deep. You'll learn to hate them. Otherwise, the rest of the museum is great.
Obviously, I can't photograph much in the museum. But, the best part of the collection was the Quebec artists. It was interesting, eclectic, and unique. Also, it's great to see an institution support local artists along with famous international figures.
La fête Nationale celebrations in Quartier des Spectacles
Quartier des Spectacles at twilight
A GIANT LITE BRITE! #ARTVbrite
La fête Nationale party near our hotel had live street karaoke.
ONWARD TO QUEBEC CITY!!!
