Local Experiences

Spectacular Fountains in the Quartier Des Spectacles

Now we've been here a couple of weeks it feels like we're starting to get in to the feel of the place. From our early jet-lag assisted get up and go mornings when we were bright and alert at 6am - we now struggle to get out of the house before 10:30. It's partly being in holiday mode - but also that life here does seem more laid back. This for instance is rush hour on our street:

Admittedly we're in a suburb and central Montreal is more bustling - but you still get a real sense of there being far fewer people here compared to London.

We've also experienced some of the local culinary "delights". The Kraft Dinner - a kind of instance macaroni cheese mix - is apparently the national Canadian dish. It's an astonishing tartrazine yellow which this photo doesn't do justice to.

It makes a pot noodle seem natural and nutritious - but as a quick cheap filling snack I can see the appeal.

The most famous Quebec dish is a bizarre concoction called poutine - chips, gravy and lumps of slightly rubbery cheese. It's actually a lot tastier than it sounds or looks - admittedly that's not hard.

To be honest the french cultural influence, strong though it is in language and the arts, hasn't done much for the food here. There are no boulangeries on every corner and though I'm sure there are good french resturants here, there are far more Subways, Pizza places, burger bars and a host of other ethnic foods. The supermarkets are very american - with vast jars of liquid cheese and mega packs of snacks. Supermarket food also seems to be more expensive that in the UK - despite everything we hear of rip-off-Britain.

Montreal does have very good museums. The Montreal Archaeology museum presents the history of the city in a very innovative way.

There are also several environmental themed museums. The Biosphere - built inside a genuine Buckminster Fuller Geodesic dome - was excellent. There are still lots of museums we haven't seen and even with a month we realise we're not going to be able to do it all.

A dress made from recycled (computer) mice at the Biosphere Museum

Zoe enjoying the Insectarium