Bonjour! - Blogabond

That is as much french as I can muster. What we intended to be a two night stay in Montreal, became three…and then five. We completely lucked out with our hostel, which I would have to say is one of my favourite hostels I’ve been too, and I really wish we had been there while it was packed full. My usual ability to find hostels in random places…yet again confirmed, this time our hostel was in the middle of the Village, that being the gay village. Which was good, as Tom felt right at home. For a change I wasn’t in the middle of all the strip clubs, but that’s due to Montreal spreading them around, there isn’t a red light district per se, the naked chicks are dispersed around the city.

Still gorgeous Montreal

Montreal itself is a beautiful city, by the waterfront is many original buildings, and it has a real European charm. It’s awesome that the province of Quebec has managed to thrive so well within Canada, it’s like a separate world. Fall asleep for two hours from Ottawa, and all of a sudden it really is like a slice of france. There is a real food and wine culture there, but even some things are totally different to the rest of Canada, like to provision of alcohol. It’s everywhere in Quebec, and about half the price of what we would pay in Vancouver. Even at a BC Liquor store. So I think the rest of this little story is obvious, a hostel with a rooftop terrace….and some stellar backpackers (not us, Cheryl and Graham – who happen to be some of the funniest brits I’ve met in my life. When we were all rolling drunk they invited us to their homecoming party in London…which we’re intending on turning up to, so hopefully they were serious!)

Violence against pool noodles, quebec says "every sunday"

Something we did find, was walking through Mont Royal park, was the weekly drumming circle (which was huge), and the medieval pool noodle fight. People in armour, with pool noodle fashioned into swords, axes, one enterprising young man even had a bow and padded arrows. And then they rush into battle, and die. Then do it again. And again. Queer.

In Montreal, by and large all we did is walk around the city, having a gander at the waterfront, walked up Mont Royal to get a full view over the city. Actually, it was a little embarrassing to arrive in Montreal to find out the rather large fact that Montreal is actually on an island. Something major we managed to miss. Whoops.

After 5 days though, it’s was time to keep moving, towards our next French-canadian destination with a rather large hangover, Quebec City.

written by

no_fosters_thanks on June 22, 2007 from Montreal, Canada

from the travel blog: Canada

Send a Compliment

comment on this...