Montreal

Sunday, October 18, 2009 - sunny

From Laval, an island west of Montreal, we drove the freeway to the old town without much trouble. We thought we took the wrong turn off but somehow ended up where we wanted to be! The streets were narrow, one way, or had been torn up for repair but we found Rue Notre Dame and a parking space. From there we walked to the Basilica of Notre Dame. There were supposed to be tour guides there. We found a French speaking one but no English speaking guide. We entered the church. The organ music was beautiful and the choir started so sing. It was time for Sunday Mass. There was a man standing in each aisle to prevent people like us from taking pictures. I have found a low light mode on my camera so that you can take indoor pictures without a flash and not be conspicuous. I was planning to try it but as soon as somebody lifted their camera, the man was there shaking his hand. So I did not try. Jalil did not feel that we belonged in Mass, so we left. The Place d'Armes - a square in front of the church - was torn up. Outside the church, there were many horse carriages and the drivers tried to get us on board for $45. But we chose to do our own walking. The wind was very cold even though the sun was shining. We wandered around on narrow, cobblestone streets and found Montreal History Centre in an old fire house from the 19th century, which was very interesting. The Brittish gained control of New France under the 1763 Treaty of Paris.

Afterwards, we returned to a Charcuterie where you could hear French music.I had photographed it earlier. The restaurant was packed with people and we had to wait for a table - mostly French speaking people. Once at the little table, we had to figure out the menu. They used names for the dishes and we did not know what they meant. The waiter was very helpful and we ordered beef/pork in a pastry with a salad, and a ham & cheese crepe with the same salad followed by an apple waffle for dessert - all very tasty.

At the table next to us, which was very close, was a couple from Victoria, BC and we started talking to each other. Their daughter was studying dance in Toronto so they came east often. They were interested in our travels and Jalil offered them to read my blog!!! The man gave me his card to send the blog to him but now I cannot find it and that is not on purpose!

After lunch we strolled along Rue St. Paul and checked out a few art galleries. One statue on the street depicted three women talking intensely. Jalil suggested that was Pam, Clarise and me! I asked the clerk in the gallery what it was called and she said: "The Gossipers"! That is not us!

While we were checking out the rack of bicycles that you could rent in front of City Hall, a woman scolded me for taking pictures of those bicycles. She was an angry woman who did not feel that the city should spend money on such things, when there were so many people without work. She said that she could not get a job and that the Social Services only gave her some money but no job! Then she abruptly left and we stood there with out mouths open.

Sue Glass called while we were walking and it is so nice to hear from friends and family. She was doing OK. While talking, we reached the car and we found our way back to Laval.