Montreal Continued

17th September - Friday



We both woke up sick, again I coughed all night. Seems to be lying down and air con? Got up and went and got good old maccas for breakky. Decided I needed to get out and about. Pete wanted to lay low and try and get better so I did my next downtown walk as the book suggested. Saw a salon where nails could be done. Thought that I should spoil myself and have a pedicure and my nails done. Now that I am not playing softball I can be a bit girly and have long nails.  They look gorgeous, even if I do say so myself. Even with a little flower on one - love them!!

Went back to get Pete for lunch but he wasn't up for it yet so I finished my original walk with a few detours.  Walked up St Laurent to this place recommended called Schwartz (that is not it's real name, people call it that. Here they have a law where French must be written/spoken first therefore the name is unpronounceable for me).  It is a Hebrew Deli but there was a line of about 20 - obviously good stuff but I didn't hang around. I was meeting Pete for a late lunch/early dinner as we had decided to go up to Montreal Botanic Gardens to see the Festival of Lanterns. walked through Chinatown and it was a little dirty and a bit scary in some spots (as we just wander some of the times we seem to always find the dodgy streets lol) but we found a nice little restaurant and had a late lunch/early dinner. Walked back up to St Laurent train station and caught the Metro to Pie IX. Of course we walked the wrong way
but it was kinda cool because we got to see Montreal Olympic Stadium - apparently the stadium was controversial when built?  Odd looking but cool too!

Made it to the Gardens and what lovely gardens! There were heaps of people riding, running and roller blading around this track, but there were no signs for us to get to this Festival of Lanterns. Nothing new to us, kinda being running blind here because of our lock of French speaking skills:) Saw some cars and found an entry to another part of the gardens. We had to pay (which is odd) but we wanted to see the lanterns so pay we did. Disappointing thing was that 2 exhibits which Pete had mentioned wanting
to see where closed due to some labor dispute - WTF? Sort it out peoples, we are paying money to miss out on things!! Walked all around the gardens, Japanese, Lilacs, everywhere leaving the Chinese Gardens to last (and to dark). When we finally got there we were not disappointed. Unbelievably beautiful lanterns amongst some beautiful gardens. Snapped myself silly with photos and of course ran out of batteries before even getting half way. Lucky I was able to buy batteries and continue snapping. All my snaps might be mindless to others but they will always mean something to me and Pete. Last night was beautiful so I have taken lots and lots of photos. Got back late and we were a little hungry but like all other days out eating is all over the place - one or maybe 2 meal a day - that's it and always at weird times:)

18th September - Saturday

Had more sleep than previous nights but again coughed all night - is it getting better? I think so - I hope so.  Found a recommended restaurant, Eggspectations and had late breakky and early lunch - yum yum yum. Walked the water front again - it could be so pretty with all that water but it has all these old working buildings - ugly!  We are walking the waterfront at Vioux Montreal, perhaps there is a better place?? Anyway we kept walking and found a lock which allows water in and out to let boats move through - that was kinda cool! Then up to Rue Saint Catherine to shop! Oh forgot walked around trying to find laundromat - don't they have them here??

Anyway back to shopping. Went to La Baie (or something like that, a big David Jones) and found all these accesses to underground shopping. Seriously the street facades hide these amazing dens of shops - I could have spent the whole day there - oh it was beautiful and Pete was patient and let me buy some stuff but forced me out about 3.30pm back to hotel. Having a few drinks now before heading out to dinner - Houston we think.  2nd last night here.  And even though it is better than my first impression I am looking forward to seeing Toronto.

The thing about Montreal is I am comparing to Boston, Washington and NY and sadly it is coming in 4th place.  Well Boston was perfect in cleaniness and friendliness and beautiful buildings and lots of beautiful colours (oh and their waterfront).  NY well just plain exciting and probably had the dodgy bits but we only saw a few.  Washington was super clean but I guess it is the  Americans - they made us feel very welcome and were always excited to learn we were from Australia and wanted to know about us and our country/state.  Here they don't give a crap - perhaps it is the French because I have heard that about them. Not that they are rude (well not all - one biatch I would love to tell you about doesn't deserve mentioning ), but not overly friendly or helpful either - I am really not sure what it is, it just hasn't grabbed either of us. Not having a bad time, but if you compares city and fun had, Montreal is coming in 4th at the moment - sorry Montreal fans:(