The end of Montreal

19th September - Sunday


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. My Sunday morning - it doesn't appear to be going anywhere, so frustrating because I keep waking up tired!

Anyway battle on. Last night we didn't go to Houston. We checked some online reviews and 66% were bad (ok only 3 reviews but.....). Pity as it was just around corner so decided on a good steak. Have not had a steak since being in North America/Canada. Did a google search and found Vieux-Port Steakhouse, so back down to the cobblestoned streets of Vioux Montreal. Montreal comes alive at night! Masses and masses of people - was fun getting there. We didn't have a reservation so had a drink in the bar whilst waiting. Only had to wait about 20 minutes. Were taken up to the 2nd floor (huge restaurant), but it was still cozy. Nice window seat so we could people watch the people walking St Paul East St. Had a massive steak, but it was delish. Couldn't eat it alol (odd for me!) but left a little room for coffee and creme brulee. Megs you would have loved this creme brulee - it was in a saucer size dish - thought of you and told Pete the funny Dan story when we ate it. Had the loveliest waiter, who showing some
interest (yeh) brought another waiter over. He had lived in Australia for a year (surfing) so was very nice in wanting to come over and say hi. Dinner was over after a leisurely 2.5 hours. Some poor homeless guy was playing the recorder when we came out and it was really beautiful music. Pete and I both emptied our coins and handed it over. He was sweet, he told Pete he was from Australia too, but we don't think so!

Anyway today I got up earlier than Pete and went and sorted our tickets from Montreal to Toronto. Upgraded our tickets so we could get lunch on board (it is a 5.5 hour trip). Still have no laundry done so scrimping to find clothes. Found one in Toronto so first thing I do when I arrive in Toronto is laundry (how dull!!).

Came back to collect Pete and we headed off to Parc du Mont-Royal. Up to Peel St and were strolling along and then we saw the hill up Peel hill - eeek! Reminded me of Darley Rd at Manly - and wouldn't you know it - there was a hospital at the end of this hill too. Anyway managed to drag my arse up that hill and was horrified to see that the park had steps to the summit! OH God, but nothing could stop me wanting to see Montreal from the top, so onward and upward. Really pretty surroundings but on the way Up I was not so much enjoying them LOL. When we got to the Chalet and look out, well if my breath wasn't already expired due to the steep incline, it would have been taking away with the view - so beautiful!! Walked out the back and kept going up right up to the Croix. Was able to enjoy the scenery so much more on our walk down - hell almost felt like I could jog!! 3 hours later we were back down to
Rue St Catherine, had a bite to eat and grabbed some drinkies and back to our hotel. Whilst walking we talked about Montreal and our initial opinions. I have changed my mind and I do like Montreal. Quantifying my previous comments, we talked about the city's local stone they use (Sydney has sandstone for example). Pete being a chippy thinks the buildings are built using their local stone - and it looks the colour of concrete, hence my opinion of drab looking (and it was a rainy day). Since then we have had beautiful perfect weather and although the buildings are a little drab not so much in the sunlight. Also we didn't realise the city was so big (3.5 million) - no wonder it is a little dirtier than Boston (500, 000) - amazing how you change your opinion when you know all the facts. BUT I will still say our first 2 days we met some really rude people. I know I should speak the local language but no excuse, if somebody (me or Pete) is talking to somebody politely, even in a foreign language (this being English), you should never be waved away, ignored, yelled at (walking biatch) or have a back turned on you - this happened to us in the first 2 days - we were really stunned. Yesterday morning we had a lovely girl serve us and from then on it would seem we only met the nice people which was really nice because obviously opinions change when you are treated respectfully.

Montreal is nice, and tonight is our last night. Still number 4 on my last of the 4 cities visited but I would recommend it, but with a disclaimer. Learn some French - don't be ignorant like I have been and learn about where you are going first so you can be prepared!