The “vieux Montréal,” the old Montreal, definitely has a European feeling to it. Far from the tall buildings and the endless boulevards that stretches across the “other Montreal,” the area nearby the old port feels homey and historic.
The temperature has since gone way up (it was 25°C over the weekend) but last week was still bitterly and unexpectedly cold in Montreal. I was caught by surprised and had left my winter coat in Ottawa—I had to buy a long scarf in a desperate attempt to at least block the wind. Nonetheless, I resolutely made my way to the old port. Thirty minutes and two frozen hands later (one holding the camera, the other a cigarette), I reached the narrow streets, full of restaurants and souvenirs. I warmed up for a while inside the Marché Bonsecours (which definitely looks better from the outside than inside) and slowly walked around, enjoying a quiet morning.
Great pics, as usual!
I love quebecers make me feel right about their destiny… “Quebec, Tibet, Kosovo. Same fight…” “Same Third World Destiny” I’d add!
(Sorry, it’s just my weekly rant with QC)
.-= Guillermo´s last blog ..Evento exclusivo para 20 personas: “Cómo lograr tu primer empleo en Canadá. Consejos para una inserción laboral exitosa” =-.
Lovely 🙂
.-= Agnes´s last blog ..…all gods’ children need traveling shoes… =-.
I definitely have to go back to Montreal. Your pictures are bringing back such wonderful memories.
I must say, though, I have never liked poutine. Does this make me an unusual Canadian?
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Where’s the Chocolate?!! =-.
Wow. I should put this city in my travel list then!
.-= Linguist-in-Waiting´s last blog ..Assymetrical Attitudes =-.
Oooh, so beautiful. 🙂
.-= Nigel´s last blog ..Where we are =-.
Old Montreal Street looks cool…
Hmm… pro-independence stickers… Canadians tolerate them.
.-= khengsiong´s last blog ..Can’t Stop Buying =-.
@Guillermo – 😆 You are definitely allowed one rant a week – it’s not much actually! I found the sticker a bit silly myself but eh, no surprise, I don’t support independence. Not that I should anyway, I live in Ontario after all.
@Agnes – Thank you!
@Beth – That makes two of us. I have never tasted it… just looking at poutine I feel my artery are getting clogged. I like my fries with just salt, thank you.
@Linguist-in-Waiting – It is a place to visit, for sure. And not that far from you either!
@Nigel – You would like it!
@khengsiong – Oh yeah, freedom of speech, you know. The federal government really doesn’t want to get into a fight with Québec over that.
Aha, I am back to Toronto after a lovely 4 day vacation in Montreal! 🙂 Lovely pictures as usual, I wish I could speak some French.
.-= Priyank´s last blog ..Hare and Tortoise =-.
Beautiful images! I like those Souvenirs Stickers. I think they are the great art! The temperature changes so dramatically in everywhere in the world now ~~
.-= micki´s last blog ..Yingge, the Ceramic Town =-.
I wish the weather would just stay warm! We’re having the same yo-yo temperatures down here in Southern Canada (ie Michigan) too. Great pics as always, makes me want to go visit Montreal even more.
.-= Soleil´s last blog ..Filling Space =-.
Nice views!
You convinced me… I really need to visit Canada before I die!
.-= Sidney´s last blog .. =-.
@Priyank – Hope you liked it – I was in Toronto last WE 😉
@micki – The souvenir stickers were really funny, I should have bought one! I think I still have an Australian one around the same theme…
@Soleil – It’s still much warmer than average so I’m not complaining (except for this one time -20C thing).
@Sidney – Hopefully you have many many years ahead of you!
Quebec’s just like Scotland, trying to break away from England!
And they kinda did, the Scottish Parliament was opened about 10 years ago.
They have their own law. When I was studying in Edinburgh, I had to study Scottish law too!
Universities in Scotland are free to all Scottish students.
But English students have to pay to study at English universities.
.-= London Caller´s last blog ..France Station / 法国站 / Stesen Perancis / フランス駅 =-.
Montreal and Ottawa are cities I really want to visit. Also Vancouver is high up there as well. I hope I can do it one of these days. Currently my travel plans involve San Diego and SF, might try and get some shirts into some stores there. If things keep going well, maybe I can do a ‘business’ trip up to Canada, hehe.
.-= Seb´s last blog ..They’ve Come For You. =-.
some nice shots! it has been years since I have been in Montreal. your pictures make me want to go back! 🙂
.-= Charles Dastodd´s last blog ..Victoria Memorial =-.