Monday, August 31, 2015

While in YUL

To allow for any mishaps, I packed and checked out of the hotel early.
Anytime we do something for the first time, we are presented with a big learning curve, and that was true for finding the bus stop. After much wandering and looking, I did see the sign that included 747 - the number of the airport bus - in its info, and I stood around with my bags til it roared in. I got up the steps with my bags, dropped my five $2 coins in the slot, got my ticket, and the driver took off with me trying to grab the bar while keeping my suitcase from rolling down the aisle. A nice young Asian man offered to help, and I let him. Gratefully.
Forty minutes later, it let the traveling crowd off at the big airport. I entered, spotted the signs that said departure, and took the escalator up. Then customs and TSA, always a delight. The X-ray machine spotted something in my bag that would have endangered the American public. I had bought a handy bag of maple syrup that was just too many ounces to take on the plane. The gruff agent made sure I saw him place it in a trash can, assuring me he would not be taking it home. Oh well.  My mistake. 
Making it to the gate, I still had almost eight Canadian dollars left to spend. I opted for one more gastronomic treat, a take home bag of St. Viateur bagels, only 5$, plus a chocolate croissant that I promptly ate though certainly didn't need. Will I ever find another?!
Now it is only about an hour until my flight leaves for Atlanta. I am glad to have my iPad to keep me busy.
I admit that some parts of traveling are a pain, but I think it is all worth it. What I like the most is the way my mind opens up. I think I tend to immerse myself in the new place and study all that is around me. It makes me feel like I have been away from my surroundings more than four days.

Some interesting stuff: 
The hotel was named Espresso, and we could have a cup of it anytime we wanted. A real treat.
In the lobby and elevators we saw many people whose ethnicity we had problems identifying. The guy at the desk said they were from, "Up north." They were Cree Indians who came to the city for medical care. I actually sat next to a woman who had a baby wrapped up like a papoose. 
All the people at the front desk were terrific and seemed to enjoy talking with us. 
I was pretty amazed how the people I talked to switched from French, which always sounds so melodic and pretty, to an accent free Englsh. 
I am guessing there are not that many people of Northern Europe heritage here. Most white people are darker skinned, black hair.  There are lots of Asians, quite a few mid easterners, Moslems, and North Africans, I am guessing. Some black people. We had all positive experiences with the people we came across. Yesterday at the market, a white woman behind me in line as I was getting the pate, started talking to me in some language. I said, "I don't speak . . . " And she said, "Thank goodness. Neither do I."  We laughed, and she told me she was from British Columbia, here to visit relatives. I suppose of all the people I saw, she looked the most like me.  
I am glad I got to walk and look at the people and the old architecture. I am glad I got to experience many of the tourist things. Montreal is an interesting big city.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Montreal Day 4

The weather has been perfect since we have been here making it easy and enjoyable to hike around the city.
We liked the Atwater market so much that we went back around noon today. We got some croissants for tomorrow, and bought some delicious pate and a baguette that we ate at a little round table in the midst of the activity. 
Later I walked up to the Museum of Contemporary Art, paid my 14 CAD to enter and what did I see? It was not art to me. Then on to Underground, a huge mall, where I walked and gawked and found a spot to sit a bit before heading back to the hotel.
Tonight Kathy and I took taxis to and from one of the famous eateries here, Schwartz's Deli on Rue St. Laurent. We got the recommended meal, a smoked meat sandwich (much like corned beef), a dill pickle and patates frites. Everything I had read said tourists must go there. It was something!
Montreal is a great city for foodies!
Here is a pic of the street the museum is on.
Flying back home tomorrow.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Montreal, Day 3

Wifi has been iffy at the hotel. And frustrating. But I will try.

Being a tourist means you don't get to see everything, but we dd get to a few good places today.
First was Atwater Market.
It was a little far to walk so we took a ten dollar taxi ride.
I thought the market was wonderful. Lots of beautiful veggies and fruits, some totally new to me, flowers, meats, cheeses and gorgeous French-style breads. A deli, coffees, etc.
Then another taxi dropped us off at Notre Dame, close to the Old Port of Montreal. It was pretty cool but we did not spend much time there. Instead we walked the couple of blocks to Chinatown. We walked down the hill and through the big red gate (paifang) and were immediately transported to another place and time. We walked and watched and stopped at one place for some delicious dumplings.

Here are pix from both places.



Friday, August 28, 2015

dinner

We waited in line a long time to eat at this popular resto on Rue St. Catherine.

Montreal Day 2

Kathy has been researching restaurants nearby and found one within with walking distance that served breakfast till afternoon, Universel Dejeuner Grillades, and what a good choice. My salad with hot goat cheese on garlic bread was yummy, and her big Eggs Benedict plate was even better.
Since it was a little too much walking for her, we parted ways, and I went to the Musee du Beaux Arts. It must be be one of the best art museums anywhere. Not only was there a huge Rodin exhibit, but there were paintings from Pieter Bruegel to Picasso. Impressive!
Also the weather is perfect.
Here are a couple of street scenes.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Montreal, Day 1

This time I went way across the Cape Fear bridge.
I am up in Montreal, Quebec just for fun.
Since the first leg of my flight left ILM at 6:15, I had to get an early start. After some grueling travel episodes that made me wonder if I would ever see the downtown Hotel Espresso, I arrived about noon. I could not check in yet so I walked, did some sightseeing (park, pretty architecture, lots of people) and got a watermelon and feta salad from one of many food trucks near some central place the name of which I do not know. Kathy got to the hotel about three. We both needed a little chill time, but we had to get out eventually because we were both starving
Poutine, pronounced like poo tin, is a Quebecois specialty, so we didn't want to go home without trying it. We hiked up to Rue St. Catherine and got our dishes of french fries with a light brown gravy and topped with cheese curds at a lively fun restaurant. (I took a pic with my iPhone and will try to get it on here later.)  Satisfied we walked around and peeked in the windows of other restaurants and shops before coming back to the hotel. 
Sleep...I hope I get some!

Monday, August 17, 2015

Two collages

I made two collages of what I did today using the Fotor app.

Wyatt is visiting. I took him to two of my favorite places.
Wyatt wanted shrimp, and I have been wanting to make the veggie dish tian. So that was supper.