Today's subject is Montréal! I was accepted to a Masters program at McGill University and decided that I couldn't make an educated decision of accepting the offer unless I spent at least a week exploring the city and the university. Thus, I arrived this afternoon, ready to experience the city's attractions and fuse myself with its urban pulse for a few days.
After only one afternoon of roaming around, I can already tell that I will leave this trip enchanted. My very first walk was along the Rue Saint-Denis, full of little French cafés and unique restaurants that served as a flavorful first impression. Apart from bringing me great memories of my childhood summers spent in France, I could instantly smell something that differentiates this city from Vancouver: Montréal has a lot of character.
Character? What in the world does he mean by "character", you might ask. Well, it's simple. To the newcomer, the city of Montréal feels authentic; if feels like it has been here for ages, and that traditions have stuck and created a true Montréal identity. Vancouver, on the other hand, feels like a city in constant transition, where every building is new or recently restored, and where most people are passengers waiting for the next reshuffle. (says he who might contribute to this)
After only one afternoon of roaming around, I can already tell that I will leave this trip enchanted. My very first walk was along the Rue Saint-Denis, full of little French cafés and unique restaurants that served as a flavorful first impression. Apart from bringing me great memories of my childhood summers spent in France, I could instantly smell something that differentiates this city from Vancouver: Montréal has a lot of character.Character? What in the world does he mean by "character", you might ask. Well, it's simple. To the newcomer, the city of Montréal feels authentic; if feels like it has been here for ages, and that traditions have stuck and created a true Montréal identity. Vancouver, on the other hand, feels like a city in constant transition, where every building is new or recently restored, and where most people are passengers waiting for the next reshuffle. (says he who might contribute to this)
Adding to my initial awe, my hostess Charlotte had the brilliant idea of taking me to the famous Schwartz's for an indescribably delicious smoked meat sandwich. We then walked along the Boulevard Saint Laurent, peeking into the dozens of carefully designed restaurants, and microbreweries... and I had an epiphany:
Vancouver bores me to death sometimes because its evening entertainment relies (sadly) on an ever growing network of chotchy chain restaurants! As you all know, once you've been to one Earl's, you've been to EVERY Earl's...or Cactus Club, or Joey's, or Milestone's, etc. (granted that Gastown has some fantastic places...but it's only 6 blocks long). Instead, Montréal is full of original bistros and pubs where instead of watching hockey until their eyes bleed (and drinking themselves to a coma), people are actually having conversations! Ahhh the marvels of the Latin culture!
À demain!
