There’s a reason I had to miss an unprecedented week in Plainfield activism. From Wednesday until Sunday, I took my third annual summer trip to the fun city of Montreal, and my second with my friend Dana. I blogged photos from my 2014 and 2015 summer trip.
Montreal is a close, cheap, and relaxing getaway, in theory. In reality we rarely stood still.
On Wednesday, our trip began where few Canadian trips do, at the beach – at Iles-de-Saint-Timothée. It was over 90 degrees that day, a rarity in Montreal where the average high temperature this time of year is 80. Unlike at the Jersey Shore, there was almost no breeze, forcing me to cool off in the water.
This is not long before the beach was set to close. At its peak, it was crowded.
A lagoon, or something, behind the beach. I’d get a parking ticket later that afternoon.
Me on the rooftop of the house we stayed in, early Thursday morning. I had to work up the nerve to climb up there on a wobbly ladder.
After long massages, we went to La Fontaine Park and met this duck.
Dana’s camera was heavily used, too.
A dog playing at the same park.
Books for sale on Boulevard Saint Laurent.
A colorful subway station – I forget which, probably because its exterior looks different every year.
Friday started off with me in a hospital’s urgent care center at 7:15am, with the same worsening bronchitis symptoms that kept me in bed for nine days last July. Because of the shortage of doctors in the city, urgent care fills up quickly. Had I arrived when the center officially opened at 8am, I’d likely have been fifteenth in line, at best. Instead, I was number three. Having no Canadian health insurance, I had to pay out of pocket to salvage my vacation.
Treated with antibiotics and already feeling better, we next visited the Montreal Botanical Gardens.
A door on one of many long walks.
Saint-Catherine Street
Vegan poutine and onion rings at La Banquise near midnight on Friday.
First thing Saturday was a trip to the Jean-Talon Market. I always wanted to eat a whole lot of raspberries. Seriously – it’s something I’ve discussed many times over the past several years. A favorable exchange rate and bulk discounts lead me to finally realize my dream – four pounds of raspberries.
After the market, we went to a #BlackLivesMatter protest. Jean-Pierre Bony and Fredy Villanueva, shown on the left sign, were killed by Montreal police in the Montreal-Nord, the poorest part of the city.
The main library is big, really big. We walked all around it.
Even with the description I can’t make sense of this library art display.
OK so here’s a crazy coincidence. Late last month I went to the First Annual French Comedy Festival in New York. I dared to sit front row for French comedian Fary’s show – see photo below. As you might expect, we ended up bantering back and forth during his set. As I cut behind a random apartment building in Montreal on Saturday, I saw Fary shooting hoops with a bunch of guys. He remembered me and seemed as shocked as I was, especially considering that neither of us live in Montreal. Small world right? He was in town for the Montreal Comedy Festival.
A photo I took of Fary at the French Comedy Festival in late June.
Make gratitude a habit #fuelhappiness
Jesus – I don’t know which church.
Ended the trip, again, with the best sandwich in the world, at Cafe Résonance.
Plainfield View 
David,
Your photographs are beautiful. I feel as if I have visited Montreal as as well. Thanks for the pictures of the library.
Janice People
I agree with Janice. You really do take incredible shots. I especially liked the duck.
b-t-w what kind of camera do you use?
jc
Well, I’m convinced, David. For my next trip, Montreal it is! 🙂 Great photographs!
Best,
Rebecca