Jennifer joined me in Montreal for a couple of action-packed days! On Friday, she met up with a couple of good friends, one at Marche Jean-Talon for lunch, and another at his coffee shop and book store that opened after we left.
On Saturday, we enjoyed a lot of sight-seeing, starting with a walk to Marche Atwater, stopping along the way at the coffee shop/book store so I could see it as well (picked up a magazine on British model railroads, of all things!).
We then walked along the Lachine canal for a bit, enjoying the old industrial buildings turned into condos.
Some of the little side-canals are used as boat marinas, though they would have to let the water get a bit higher than this!
After a delicious sandwich from Quebec Smoked Meat, we took the Metro downtown, and started our walk at one of the shopping malls. This part has a huge atrium with a skylight at the top, and is quite a pleasant surprise as you enter the space!
Then I took Jenn into the Cathedral-Basilica Mary Queen of the World, built 1870 - 1894. I had been there near the beginning of our year here (photos posted Aug 5), but Jenn had not yet seen it. It is a beautiful space, light-filled and elegant.
Across the street is the park where I spent my lunch-time when our office was still downtown - nice to see it again!
We then made our way along St. Catherine's street, and down to St. Patrick's Basilica, home to the Irish Catholic people, built 1843 - 1847. Quite a contrast to the previous Cathedral, much darker and moodier, in the Gothic tradition. This was one we had not yet been in.
The wood-work is gorgeous!
Heading back to the hotel, we passed by the main office for my company's Montreal branch - they've got both of these buildings, fully renovated and modernized. I've been there for a couple of wine & cheese parties.
Finally made it back to the hotel for a little bit of a rest!
But then went out for a stroll through the old city.
After that, we picked up Jenn's luggage, and walked up to catch the bus to the airport. All in all, we walked over 10 miles!! Plus Jenn took a late flight back to Vancouver, arriving at midnight (or 3am according to her body-clock), and I walked another 2 miles to go do my laundry. And we both are feeling it today. A lot. But we're both very glad we got to see so much of the city again (or in the case of the churches, for the first time)!
5 comments:
You packed in a lot this weekend - hopefully you are relaxing today after all that walking. How is the weather? I see jackets in the last pic.
Well, I'm relaxing now, but I did go to the office for a few hours. I'm planning on turning out the lights in a few minutes, and getting a good sleep!
In answer to your question on the previous post, yes, you had the flights right - the Toronto stop was 45 min, and a walk from one end of the terminal to the other, but Ottawa was just a quick stop.
And about the weather, it's been mostly sunny and around 6 to 8, today was drizzling on & off. Summer was the week before I came.
You should ask the pilot if you can stop in Winnipeg on the way home for a quick Easter dinner. Or at least for some homemade Oh Henry easter eggs.
Homemade Oh Henry easter eggs???
Sheri-Lee
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