Montreal is the city of food, lovely views, a fun party scene, and is easy to get along with. So I thought I’d write an article on what to see, do, and eat, in the city, with appended points to follow that will guide you on what to eat and what not. So here I start, this was my first trip ever to Montreal and my first experience with Quebec. Fortunately, I didn’t really have to worry about the food and language, Thank goodness, because the food was one of the primaries focuses of the trip.
Below, you’ll find my thoughts and experience which will help you to in future if you are planning to visit Montreal of course.
I showed up at my hotel, the Chateau de Champlain Marriott, eager to start my adventure trip. I was pretty much nervous as I am really poor with French I don’t want to get embarrassed but that was not the case at all. In Montreal, nearly everyone is bilingual. So when the beautiful young lady behind the counter at the hotel greeted me with “Bonjour!” I could easily answer with the same; she smirked warmly and smoothly shifted to English noticing my confusion with body language. In the course of next few days, I found that generosity and courtesy are the norms of Montreal.
In Montreal, you won’t find someone to power walk to work in a suit and sneakers, sipping coffee and gorging down breakfast. I often think, “This is the life I want to live.” And someday I surely will. I would love to rise early morning to enjoy a rich bowl of cafe au lait, and then drive to the Jean Talon, or one of the other markets that are open 365 days a year, to collect enough food for the day, buying soft, fresh croissants, and do the same every other day.
On your way if you meet up with a friend or colleague, don’t widen one arm for a handshake, or even both arms for a hug. The right thing to do in Montreal is to greet them a French double kiss, always starting on the left. It feels to me it is these traditions of Montreal that actually explain the phrases joie de vivre, or the joy of living, and plaisir de l’instant, or pleasure of the moment. Montreal is considered as The Lonely Planet on the list of the 10 happiest places in the world, one of the facts are, according to statistics, 94% of its residents report living and being satisfied with their lifestyle.
Montreal is a mod and historic, enchanting and festive, spontaneous and fashionable. And it obvious that the city planning primarily focus is on essences of life, which is a bracing change to the American, “profit first” theory.
Whether you are an architecture lover, music, history or nightlife lover, the city will keep surprising you in its own way that flaunting the value it places on art and gliding. You will see the government of Montreal’s visible stand against pollution making it an alluring city to discover. Montreal is captivatingly seductive. With thousands of underground stores connected by tunnels (maybe to help dodge the ruthless cold and snowy winters), a metro system that was clean and adequate, with dazzling views of old and new at every end, and an affection for visitors who are food lovers via their tongue to stomach, what else you could ask for? I can’t. The pace of commerce in Montreal is at break-neck speed.
Back to my country feels like home but my love affair with Montreal has just started.
