tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499615870786438094.post6233955785215389316..comments2024-03-26T04:46:22.846-04:00Comments on Alanna Rusnak: Road Trip Romance, Surviving ChicagoAlanna Rusnakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16122635933133324865noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499615870786438094.post-64445829202072430762017-11-28T10:43:39.133-05:002017-11-28T10:43:39.133-05:00Who are you friends with that they could only reco...Who are you friends with that they could only recommend strip clubs and casinos?! haha<br /><br />All I can say is I've had a vastly different experience (presumably much better) with the city. Off the top of my head, here is a small, small list of the things I love about Montreal:<br /><br />1. Street art as far as the eye can see. Even if you don't really "get" it, it's still beautiful. The talent is evident, the colours are saturated, and, if nothing else, it adds a ton of character to the city. (Note that I'm not just talking graffiti--although there is lots of that too).<br /><br />2. French is one of the most beautiful languages to fall upon the ears. I might be biased but I think French sounds incredible and looks beautiful. Might not know what I just ordered for dinner but dang if the waitress didn't sound sexy correcting my broken grade 9 French.<br /><br />3. European architecture and culture. But not to the same degree as the culture shock when travelling abroad. It's North American enough that the little things (like power outlets and good wifi) don't suck but the big things (row homes, city park squares, bicycles everywhere) are so, so charming.<br /><br />4. Fire escapes E V E R Y W H E R E .<br /><br />5. Food that is to die for. To date, the best Mexican food I have ever eaten came out of Montreal. Similarly with poutine (obviously) and decadent dessert waffles.<br /><br />6. The people are as friendly as your average Canadian. Being a bilingual city, they quickly switch to English when they hear you don't parlé Français and don't punish you for being a tourist. No better or worse than Toronto.<br /><br />7. The chalet / lookout at Mont Royal is absolutely breathtaking. Bonus points if you go on a humid summer night.<br /><br />8. The subway system is super easy to use and way more fun than trying to drive with psychotic Montreal traffic.<br /><br />9. Old Montreal / Old Port is like stepping back in time. Street musicians, artists selling paintings, small patios, the whole shebang.<br /><br />10. It's cheap. Stay in an Airbnb for maximum culture experience and it will be cheaper than a hotel typically (or more bang for your buck at the very least). Food prices are the same as most mid-sized cities in Ontario.<br /><br />As a bonus: Far less likely to be murdered than in cities like Chicago lol. Although if you're not an idiot, avoiding getting murdered in Chicago is not very difficult either.<br /><br />I could go on. Montreal has stolen my heart and I sincerely hope one day I will live there. Maybe retirement.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12759619500491257943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499615870786438094.post-20757608089334775752017-11-28T09:55:45.557-05:002017-11-28T09:55:45.557-05:00Well, that's good to know! We really couldn...Well, that's good to know! We really couldn't find anyone who would recommend Montreal. The consensus we got was that people were rude and the only things to do were casinos and strip clubs. I think it may have been more appealing had we been going during a warmer time of year too - there didn't seem to be anything happening in the city at all.Alanna Rusnakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16122635933133324865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499615870786438094.post-25536503978343603772017-11-28T08:24:47.122-05:002017-11-28T08:24:47.122-05:00Looks like a fun trip! Chicago is beautiful and t...Looks like a fun trip! Chicago is beautiful and tons of fun, but you're selling yourself way short on Montreal!! I've been four times and will go back again. A small, small part of me thinks (hopes / dreams) one day I will move there...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12759619500491257943noreply@blogger.com