My first 40 days in Montréal, Quebec

27th April 2009

After 'surviving' the 37 hour trip (my longest travel to date) from Brisbane to Montréal, it took almost a week for my body clock to adjust to the time zone here. Took another 2 weeks to find my way around the downtown area where we live, finding the best places to shop for food and some basic stuff for our small but cosy studio apartment. Along the way, i've also learned some survival skills and tips to 'prepare' for the next Arctic winter season. Crazy as it may sound, i'm kinda looking forward to it. Just missed the snowfall..sigh! Spring started about a week after we landed. Weather has been pretty chilly for the past few weeks and just started to get warmer. The leaves on the trees have just begun to sprout. The sun only starts going down around 8pm over here. Luurve it!! I sooo enjoy the extended daylight in Montreal. My language school is only 20 mins away from our current downtown apartment. One of my favorite moments that i look forward to each day in Montréal is walking to GEOS language school. Breathing in the cool air, observing different unique individuals walking down the street and taking snapshots in my mind of the picturesque European landscapes helps me to 'wake up' en-route to my language school.  

Besides the obvious stereotypes of being a huge country with a freezing cold climate and hockey mad people, there are some interesting facts to know.

Despite being larger in size than the USA (Canada is the planet's 2nd largest country), there are only 34 million people living here (approximately 10 times less). 75 % of the population live within a 100 mile radius of the US border.  It is a constitutional monarchy where the Monarch of England is the head of state (Queen Elizabeth II). There is no president, only a prime minister who is the de-facto leader of the country (currently Stephen Harper).

There are two official languages, English and French. There are 10 provinces and 3 territories (the territories being in the virtually unpopulated North of the country). All provinces except Quebec and New Brunswick are English speaking. Quebec is officially French and New Brunswick is officially bi-lingual.

The TV, the telephone and the electric light bulb were invented in Canada. Canada was the country of Barack Obama's first international visit after taking office. Canada and the USA are each others largest trading partners.

Interesting facts so far? Well, last word on hockey :) The Montréal Canadiens hockey team are the most successful NHL team having won 24 Stanley Cups, the last one in 1993. Unfortunately, this year in the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Boston Bruins sweep(means we lost 4 games straight) the Montréal Canadians in game four. Too bad. Oh, let's not forget Poutine, which is a local speciality made of French Fries covered in gravy and cheese, c'est tres delicioux!

Enjoying a fresh bagel with fromage a la creme, window shopping in Rue St Catherine, sitting on a mountain, relaxing by the port, history, museums, mouth watering Schwartz's Smoked Meat sandwiches, Little Italy, food from just about every country on the planet, exploring the underground city networks, taking a trip to Quebec City, ..... there is always something to do in Montréal. Je suis amoureux de la vie à Montréal. 

Montréal sure feels like home now :)

bENG