Montréal

(Swipe on mobile to see more images:) The first thing I noticed about Montréal was the abundance of parks; almost every neighborhood has one. Clean and busy, they are  the perfect place to relax. Just a few blocks from Laurier Metro station is Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park. The park features grassy shaded areas, swimming, a playground, and all kinds of activities.

Not far from where I was staying, on the north-west flank of Mount Royal, sits Saint Joseph’s Oratory. From its grand patio you can see for miles, and the attached garden offers a quiet place for contemplation and connecting with inner peace.

Montréal has a great metro system. It is timely and usually not too crowded. My stop was Plamondon. I called it my gateway to the city.

One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in North America, Old Montréal was established in 1642 by French settlers. Much of Old Montréal is built of stone and made to last forever. Cobblestone streets and massive Greystone buildings contrast with the ever-present green spaces. Once the hub of river trade, banking, and warehousing, the buildings now house restaurants, art galleries, and museums.

The month of August was a tad on the warm side for me. Nothing like lemonade (and a bite of cake) on a hot day:)

As I explored the city, nearly every street corner revealed a pleasant surprise. After visiting downtown, I took an unfamiliar route and came to Jean Paul Riopelle Place. The brightly colored building provided a perfect backdrop.

Laurier Avenue was one of my favorite walks. I attended a weekly writers’ group at Mordecai-Richler Library and enjoyed strolling the avenue to catch the Metro at Laurier Station. One afternoon, I spotted a large group of teenagers armed with cameras. They were photographing Lahaie Park from every conceivable angle. Their leader explained a local school sponsors summer activities for teens and this was photography week. With the joyous chaos of teens all around, two women enjoyed leisure time together.

It was easy to make friends here. I was photographing in Lahaie Park and met a local writer. We talked for several hours, and then he offered to show me his favorite parts of the city. The most memorable place we visited was the top of Mont Royal.

A series of twisty trails leads to a belvedere near the top of Mont Royal. The 600-foot (183 meter) trek up was a good workout:)

It is hard to imagine a lake nearly 600 feet above the city. But atop Mont Royal sits Beaver Lake. Yet another great place for picnics, reading, and exploring.

I remember the first time my dad took me out in a rowboat. He could make the boat go exactly where he wanted with just a slight touch on the oars. He surprised me when pushing the oars in opposite directions he spun us around so my brother and I could fish for bluegills near some lily pads. On Beaver Lake, I watched a man row his family around the lake. He was a good oarsman, just like my dad.

From the Kondiaronk Belvedere atop Mount Royal, the view of downtown Montreal is spectacular. Besides downtown, you can see part of Lake Erie, and off on the horizon, mountains in Vermont.

I’m not sure what else to say except, Wow!

Near the Kondiaronk Belvedere is the Grand Staircase. The staircase leads down to McGill University; a place I visited often to photograph campus life.

The Redpath Museum of natural history at McGill University was one of my favorite subjects on campus.

Bicycles are everywhere in Montreal. There are bike lanes and trails across the city. On popular streets, there seemed to be more bicycles than cars.

Warm days along the St. Lawrence River are fleeting, so the people of Montreal make the most of their summer. The streets were noticeably quiet compared to most cities I visit, and I think it is because so many people walk or bicycle. There are BIXI-Bike rental racks throughout the city. The racks are located strategically near shopping, food, and entertainment. It is a fun, easy way to get around.

On one of my new friend’s grand tours, we walked a little over ten miles. Starting in downtown, we went past the old locks near the St. Lawrence River, cycled the greenway for several miles, and somehow ended here, at Square Saint-Louis.

On a Saturday afternoon, I went to the beautiful Montreal Botanical Garden, the place was a riot of color. Reminding me of kids in a candy store, bumblebees bounced from flower to flower. Like many of us, they seemed to suffer from too many choices.

The bumblebees weren’t the only ones enjoying the gardens. This couple swayed and giggled down the sidewalk until suddenly, she pounced on his back. We ended up at the same intersection, and I showed them their picture. Technology is amazing. With a click and a bump of phones, they parted with a memory of their first date.

On Saturday I returned to Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park. Next to a walkway, I stopped and listened to musicians playing Québécois music. Their ensemble of a cello, accordion, cajón, and fiddle was new to my ears. Some tunes were lively; others had me dreaming of the sea. In the rest of the park, families and friends were talking, eating, and enjoying a bottle of wine. There were people from every corner of the globe enjoying themselves, getting along, living a good life.

As my month in this beautiful city neared an end, I made reservations at a restaurant my daughter recommended. On the way, a runner passed on a street closed to cars. That is when I realized how shady this city is. Trees are everywhere, and I was grateful to walk in their shadows on that hot August afternoon.

The restaurant I went to was Au pied de cochon. And yes, the meal was delicious.

I’ve heard it said Montreal is very European city, and it’s true. In my travels I’ve visited Indiana, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Virginia, Oregon, Texas, Michigan, Germany, Greece, Albania, and Croatia. All these places are amazing, but my favorite so far is Montréal:)