Montreal Streetsnaps: Vieux Montreal

Since there are still a gazillion Montreal photos left to share, I'll continue with them. :) These were taken over the weekends spent there - ambling along the streets, huddled in my winterwear, camera in tow. I love how people there all seem to be so relaxed. Most of the time it seemed like a quiet, laid-back city (it must mean something when the store that opens the latest on a weekday is Urban Outfitters which closes at 8pm and I'm one of the few customers there at that hour) but that's also probably because it was the awkward transition period from Winter to Spring. I would love to be there in the Summer when apparently the entire city springs to life, with people staying out late at night to eat, drink, be merry, on the terraces that sprawl out to the sidewalks and stores open till much later at night. 




On weekends, a perfect place to spend the afternoon is Vieux-Montreal or the Old Port. At Place Jacques-Cartier there's an open area where buskers entertain crowds and mind you, these are no ordinary buskers! The one I saw was extremely gregarious and humorous (albeit in a slightly lewd but thoroughly entertaining way). AND, like so many other Montreallers, spoke in a perfect blend of English and French. I mean it's one thing to be effectively bilingual but it's another to have a grasp of the language to the extent that you're able to crack jokes - and successful ones at that.




And just a little ways up along the hill, another busker attempting a magic trick. 





There's no doubt about it - Montreallers do know how to enjoy themselves during the weekends. What could be better than just sitting at a park bench/lounging on a grass patch enjoying the company of friends? And when they get hungry, there are those million and one boulangeries that they can stroll into and pick up the most delicious almond croissant in. (THAT, in my opinion, has to come from Olive et Gourmando, my absolute favorite bakery in Montreal that I promise I'll feature really soon!)

 
Yet another look at the Hôtel de Ville de Montréal, a.k.a. the City Hall building. Aren't the architectural details just beautiful?

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What did you spend this weekend doing? :) Last night for me was spent at Sentosa celebrating a friend's birthday belatedly - and believe it or not, it involved us staging a very elaborate (or so we'd like to think) 'kidnapping' of the birthday boy, only to realize that he'd just gone for a 10km run and was so sweaty none of the designated driver-kidnappers wanted him in their cars. Thus we ended up waiting while he dutifully went back to his place for a shower. At least he allowed us to put a paper bag over his head for the drive to Sentosa. Yeah, the things we do when we need some excitement in our lives.

I'm so happy tomorrow's Sunday!~~~