Day 7… well, I guess day 8, because I miscounted day 6.
I went to the Museum of Fine Arts of Montreal today! The guidebook mentioned it at Montreal’s most prominent and Canada’s oldest museum of fine arts. Mr. Waterhouse was having an exhibit there today, and the ticket I had got me in.
Ok, I guess to be completely honest, Mr. Waterhouse died in 1918 and the Museum was having the exhibition of his works. And let me tell you, I did NOT know what I was in for.
You ever see her before?
I’ve seen the Original now.
Her too.
Like… these pieces are so mind bogglingly famous! It was SUCH an experience. The quality, the detail of his work is amazing! I’ve idolized him for years without realizing it, after just having seen a few of his pieces online.
Wait, let me start at the beginning. Raquel had exchanged her airmiles for two passes to a special exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts here. We were going to go together, but Raquel wasn’t feeling well last night, so I decided to go alone. Got up this morning, showered, broke fast, borrowed Thomas’ metro card and hopped on the Metro to get the the museum. Found my way there, and exchanged my free pass.
Found the exhibit (and this place is huge, I’m glad they gave me directions), and started wandering around. They had almost all of John Waterhouse’s paintings, organized in chronological order of their creation. This was cool because you could watch him grow as an artist and see the different phases he went through. I should note, most of his pieces were women, often from myth. The Lady of Shalott, as posted up there, is from Arthurian Legend. She’s based on a Poem written by Lord Alfred Tennyson, and is actually the subject of three pieces and is linked to several more. In her section they had actually printed the whole poem on the wall. You know me, I’m a sucker for tragedy, especially the romantic ones, and I just loved it.
I just… can’t get over my luck. The exhibition was amazing, I think regular price admission was like 15 or so dollars, and if you are in Montreal, the thing runs till the 7th of February. I URGE YOU TO GO.
After being wowed, I had a little lunch in the museum cafe, and then metro-ed it home. A guy in the Metro talked to me the whole way. It was nice. I find people here are… more distant. Maybe it’s in my head.
I wanted to go to yoga today, but the internet doesn’t recommend sweating a lot until at least 3 days after you get a tattoo, preferably 10.
Heading back to winnipeg tomorrow, be home around 4pm. Printed my boarding pass at an internet cafe at the back of a Dép. Way more complicated than it needed to be.
But, I’ll see you all tomorrow!
Day 6
I am so sick of shopping. Maybe it’s because I did so much shopping before Christmas, but I got to Mont Royal street, and I didn’t end up buying a lot. I did get a cute purple and black shirt, and some red jeans. That wasn’t the interesting part of my day. I did… it. You’ll have you wait till I get back to Winnipeg and figure out for yourself what I did though.
So HAH! Now you HAVE to see me 
The interested part of today was A) the Ice Rain (that shit is weird) and B) the restaurant we went to for dinner. Since the n64 arrived, Raquel and Thomas have been playing harvest moon pretty well constantly (not that I can blame them), and so we left for the restaurant rather late.
It was a ‘porter votre vin’ restaurant, which means, you bring your own wine! PRetty snappy. With alcohol on the bill… well, your bill gets slightly out of hand. But, when you bring a 10$ bottle of wine with you, and they serve it to you… well, it’s a nice experience, and not too expensive. We ate at a vegetarian restaurant that does faux-meat. Kind of like ‘delicious’ in winnipeg. It was very good, I really enjoyed the peanut sauce too. I simply can’t make mine at home that delicious.
Not a very exciting day, but tomorrow I will be hitting up the museum, so that will be something blog worthy.
Christmas Dinner
I basically lay around all day today, recovering from my trek up the mount yesterday (that was a crazy adventure!). Me, Raquel and Thomas had some delicious pancakes for breakfast with coffee. Watched some simpsons, and then had a relaxing bath. I really just puttered around doing chores and my nails. I borrowed some of Raquel’s polish. It’s a really beautiful shade of deep red, which is of course my second favourite colour.
Later in the evening we went to Megan’s, which is Raquel’s ‘family’ in Montreal. She’s a friend of Gabrielle’s from school. Raquel stayed with her on her four day trip to Montreal, in 2007. That was when she decided to move to Montreal, so that was cool. I haven’t seen Megan since I was 14, and I’m not ngonna lie, I barely remember her.
We chatted, drank wine, I tried my first martini, ate some delicious lasagna, then watched some Eddie Murphy standup (‘Delirious’, if you must know). Then we walked home, played Thomas’ gift: Settlers of Catan. I lent him mine for like a year, and Raquel bought him his own for Christmas, so that was pretty sweet.
Overall, a pretty laid back day. Mostly I’m mentally preparing for tomorrow’s shopping extravaganza.
The Mountain
HOLY SHIT
I am a prairie girl, and when I first saw Mont Royal, I’m thinking, ‘He’s not so tough’.
Try a bottle of sparkling wine and several beers later… well, for starters, it’s about a 45 minute walk to the base. We took a break in the park at the base, I made a snow-angel and Raquel adjusted her socks. Then we continued on our way.
The first set of steps were covered in snow, and they were kind of a struggle. Past that point it was mostly deep snow, but since we were all wearing winnipeg snow boots, this posed no problem. It wasn’t even cold. It must have been 0, or -1 max.
We kept climbing. It was actually quite hard, because the snow was slippery, and we decided to take a short cut, rather than circle the base looking for stairs, or take the long spiral path. We eventually hit a plateau and past that point climbing would have been impossible. It was like an 80 degree angle, and Raquel and Thomas wouldn’t let me climb. So we took the spiral path until we found some stairs. And the stairs were TOUGH!
Raquel beat us both to the top of the stairs, but prompty passed out in the snow once she reached the viewing platform.
Thomas and I took some pictures of Montreal, and I have to say, I’m glad we went in the middle of the night. Montreal’s lights from the top of that hill are amazing.
Then, we roused Raquel, and slid most of the way down. Well, that’s not quite true. we went down the stairs, and then half ran half slid down the parts we’d struggled with earlier. Good thing we were wearing snow pants.
We caught the first cab we could, and when we got back I promptly passed out. I’m kind of choked about that, since Raquel made bruschetta for us, and I was too asleep to enjoy it. I got to sleep at 5.
Considering we didn’t head out till 1, I don’t think we made bad time. One of my better drunken adventures, though I did smash my hand.
Oh, I almost forgot! There was a quinzee in the park at the base. The three of us fit in there and were warm. There was a sign in the doorway ‘Please do not destroy. This is a christmas gift for my girlfriend. thanks. -L.L.’
Well L.L., if your lady doesn’t appreciate that AWESOME GIFT (which is actually the sweetest thing I have ever seen in the world), gimme a call. 
Day 5
Christmas eve.
I came down with a cold, so I didn’t go on any walking tours today. I was feeling pretty shitty, but after Raquel’s treatment, I was feeling ok. The second she saw me sneezing, she came over with a box of kleenex, tylenol, vitamin C, echinacea and nyquil. I had a pretty solid rest, and when I dragged my carcass out of bed, I just went to Mont-Royal Street (the main shopping drag in this neighborhood) and bought Laura’s sexy present and Natalie’s. On my walk home, I stopped in a Tattoo parlor on Rue St. Denis (All the streest here are named after saints), and talked to them about a custom design.
I’m VERY excited. I’m gonna do a consulation, and maybe they can fit me in before my plane ride home?
Then I came home and baked. I made molasses cookies and ‘cookie-brownies’. It was Raquel’s cookbook too, so it was all in french. I had to decipher the ingredient list, write everything down and get the right shit from the grocery.
I also failed at using a buzzer in an apartment. I didn’t hold it down long enough, and I had to go down the stairs and let Raquel in manually. It was pretty funny. The puzzle is coming along smoothly, and I got my second gym badge in Pokémon.
So after my baking, we watched a movie, and then… REVEILLION! We opened all our gifts. Our Christmas tree here is adorable, since it’s a little palm tree. We had our bottle of sparkling wine, and because we are lazy, ordered take-out indian food.
After this, we’re gonna climb the big stupid mountain, Mont Royale! I’m less sick after a day of rest, and I’m pretty pumped to climb the hill.
So far my plans for the rest of the trip involve hangover recovery tomorrow, Dinner at Megan’s, boxing day shopping in Mont-Royal, and maaaaybe down town, then monday will be the museum of fine-arts.
McDonald’s
I spotted my first one today, and it was definitely the fanciest I’ve seen in my life. I took a picture of it.
Of Note
Although it’s definitely warmer here, I should note that walking around without a scarf was not my brightest. Maybe I picked it up on the plane, or something, but I think I am getting sick. Had a sore throat the other day, and my nose is running like there’s no tomorrow. Been taking echinacea… ugh. I was SO CLOSE to ending the year without my annual fall cold.
Day 4
I hit up Old Montreal today. Very touristy area, and the area most people think of when they think of montreal: the old buildings, the port, hilly, etc. Very cool area, but it was a little too touristy for me.
I took the orange line to Place d’Armes, and found myself near a starbucks. I had my breakfast there, London Fog and a slice of lemon poppy seed bread, or should I say, pain limon avec les grains… Ok, I can’t remember what it was called, but the point is, I did the whole thing in french. I’m getting quicker.
Once I found the starting point of my tour, I quickly located the nearest dép, and bought a disposable camera. Old montreal is the one you want to take pictures of, fyi. I started at BMO headquarters. It looks very similar to the one in winnipeg, right down to the clock out front. I looked at an empire state building replica (built in 1931), and this red building right next door that had a marvel of modern engineering: an elevator.
I went by some horse drawn carriages (a tour would be 45$, or free if you have my guide book and two solid feet), and saw montreal’s oldest building. You weren’t allowed it, especially since it was undergoing some restoration. Super cool though.. like, that’s Canada’s oldest building! Next door was the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is apparently the most lavish in Montreal. You can buy post cards with its picture.
It was like 5$ to get in though, and since I don’t think you should be turning the lords house into a den of thieves (Listen to me, I don’t even believe in the guy… I suppose that’s what you get when you’re raised catholic), I refused to go in. I’m just wondering, what about people who want to go to freaking mass!? I took a picture of the outside though, because it really is a beautiful building.
Continued on my way, found the old courthouse, and as I stood on a Hill taking pictures of the city scape, some guy came up to me, and hijacked my tour. He was born in France, but has lived in Montreal since he was 2. Told me that I absolutely MUST hit up a spa while I’m here, showed me Marché bonsecours, and the harbour where the skating rink is. It’s like 5$ to rent skates, and after that… you can just go nuts! Very exciting stuff, I made a note of it to do with raquel on boxing day or something. I think on Christmas day, we’re gonna hike Mont-Royal (which is the big-ass hill).
Anyway, I backtracked a bit to my walking tour path after we parted ways. Found a really cute old building, took some more pictures, and silly me, didn’t go in the bonsecours chapel! After I was 6 blocks away and sitting down to lunch in the St. Paul Café-Bistro, I checked in my guidebook to see what the chapel was all about, and it turns out the BEST view of the city comes from one of its towers, and it has a little free museum. I suppose I’ll just have to come back in summer…
Continued on my way, went down ‘Artist’s Alley’, which is literally an alley where artists set up their works. I felt bad for not buying anything because there was only one guy there, and not enough tourists for him to be making any money.
I found an obelisk that was erected by the historical society to commemerate the original settlers of Ville Marie (Montreal), found the first Hospital of the Grey Nuns (St. Boniface museum is another), and finished the tour with a view of the old Harbour.
I Then got myself to the underground and got on the Metro at Square Victoria (Orange line still), but got off a stop early so I could wander Mont Royal Plateau, do a bit of shopping, see the castle/apartments. I found that apartment block with the turrets rather serendipitously the other day, and I tried to find it again. Didn’t work, but I still got some cool shots of 19th century townhouses, which I think are super cool.
I did all my shopping/ordering of food in french today, except once. I’m rather proud. The exception was an indian shop, and I was struggling for words to describe an incense holder, and the salesdude was like ‘I speak english’ and expediated the whole process.
No hot yoga tonight, just laundry. Mostly done my shopping too, but there’s still boxing day!
Day 3
I slept in today, so I didn’t get that early start I wanted. But, I ended up downtown anyway, and did another walking tour from the guide book. But first things first… the metro! I’ve never been on a subway train, but I think that’s what the metro is…? Montreal’s is super easy to understand. You pay your way into the station (it’s 2.75), and you can ride as many trains as you want, as long as you don’t leave the underground. As long as you know the name of the stop you’re heading to, it’s basically impossible to get lost. There are maps with arrows everywhere.
I started at Laurier (on the orange line), didn’t have to transfer and got off at Bonaventure. Coincidentally, that’s where my tour started! So, I looked at this crazy place that had a forest inside (sort of. Live trees were growing out of the floor). It also apparently had a skating rink, but I didn’t have my skates and was running late, so I didn’t take the time to find that.
Next I saw a cheese grater hotel (don’t ask), and went to Montreal’s busiest and widest street, boule Réne-Lévesque. Apparently, it’s named after the parti quebecois leader who believed in independance for quebec. The name triggered some grade 11 history memories, and I’m since checked him out on wikipedia. Interesting history lesson, I’m just glad he didn’t have anything to do with the October Crisis, otherwise, I would be raising my eyebrow.
Anyway, I stopped in a dépanneur, and picked up postcards and chocolate bar.
Then I checked out this fancy church, which is a replica of the basilica in rome, to 1/4 size. VERY fancy inside. Like, unebelievable. I lit a candle for my mom, despite mine and god’s drama. She wanted me to, so…
I continued on my route, eventually making my way to a shopping district. Most of the stores I found were chains, not like the shops in Mont-Royal. I found a chapters, indigo, another lululemon, another aldo, and the bay! I also found an H&M. Since I’d never been to one, I poked my head in.
That place is more hilarious that american apparel. I didn’t know hideously tacky sequins were so IN! I didn’t see much I liked in there, and it’s even funnier than american apparel’s crop tops. But, I did find a cute red dress… and well, it fit, so I bought it. I now have something to wear on new year’s.
Continuing on, I walked down Rue Crescent, which is chock full of little restaurants. I wasn’t hungry enough for dinner, so I chose a little cafe called ‘Paris Crepes’. And yes, they sold mainly crepes. I had a nutella and strawberry one, and a cup of earl grey. Strangely enough, after warming up, outside was even colder. I figure I was about 3/4 of the way through my tour, and I was gonna stop at that museum that I have a pass to. Apparently it’s Canada’s oldest and Montreal’s most prominent… but they close at 5 on tuesdays, and it was 4:30. So, I’ll go back later this week, after exploring old montreal.
The next stop on the tour was mcgill university, but I was bloody freezing. Apparently, as the sun sets, it gets colder. The wind din’t help either. So, i found the nearest metro stop, and hopped on the green line (my stop was Peel, if you want to follow my route on the map). Transferred at Berri-Uqam to the oprange line, got off at Laurier and got back to the apartment!
I’ve never seen so many people though. Like… downtown was packed, the Metro station was PACKED, every store was packed… Montreal just has so many people! It’s a little disorienting, but I suppose I’m getting used to it. My french is getting better too, but people can definitely tell it isn’t my first language.
Hot Yoga
I have never been so sweaty in my entire life, except maybe at a few tae kwon do classes during summer training. But seriously… wow. I don’t feel very sore though, which is usually my indicator of a good workout. It was fun to try though, and I have have a free pass for all week while I’m here, so I’ll definitely go back. We’ll see if it made a difference when I get back to Winnipeg.
