A short stay in Europe ... er ... Montreal.

So why was Montreal so fantastique?

Certainly it was the fact that my work was behind me and I could fully enjoy four days with my one and only daughter and her girlfriend. See where and how they live for the first time. I loved the funky apartment and the neighbourhood, and overall felt I'd transported lock, stock and barrel to Europe. 

It was the glorious weather ... the city's cycle-friendliness ... magnolias and hibiscus in bloom ... the Outrement\Plateau neighbourhoods.It was feeling SAFE. Walk out the door of Tay and Meg's and in about 200 steps you're at the shop that bakes the best bagels in Montreal -- 65 cents a bagel. (Still warm :) ).  

My daughter joined me in our first ever (as adults) run together. As I did (on New Year's Eve, 1995), she's quit smoking and has taken up running. We ran down to Old Montreal, toured a few galleries, and Taylor taught me rather a lot in a short time about Inuit art. The gallery owner seemed impressed (and encouraged Taylor to proceed directly with her pHd, not take a year off after completing her Masters ... funny how people offer advice to strangers, eh?).

We rented "Bixi" commuter bikes (first 30 minutes is free, then it's $5 for the rest of the day as long as you keep changing bikes every 30 minutes, which is easy to do, as there are countless Bixi bike stations around the city.)

We cycled to parks, to the Village, visited Taylor's friend Theresa Sokyrka, and stopped at second hand clothing stores.

Taylor at Concordia, in downtown Montreal.

Cycling past Habitat 67.
See the full view here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitat_67

Taylor and Theresa on a bright morning in the Village.

One of my favourite things to do in Montreal was to sit on the girls' sunny third-floor balcony, on Rue Clark, and watching the cyclists (and very little automobile traffic) pass by. 

The girls fed me like a queen (on quail, no less!). We hiked around Mont Royal and were greeted by tulips and a view. 

(Taylor and I did some scrambling off the beaten path, natch.)

My daughter and I happened onto the oddest secondhand shop - Eva B's - on St. Laurent, near Sherbrooke. Here's what was in the window:

That definitely catches the eyes of passersby! We had no idea if this was some sort of erotic museum, or a gallery, or what, but as we were looking at the unusual window display, a woman came out and said: "Have you ever been in here?" We said no, and she said that we must ... it was not to be missed.

In we walked, and we were immediately met by woman who asked if we'd like a coffee or tea (on the house). Inside Eva B's are racks of feather boas and masks and jewellry and, predominaatnly, good, second-hand clothing.

In the back room there is a huge -- what to call it .... a pit? -- where everything is just $1 per item. You take off your shoes, then dive in. It's several feet deep, and you never know what you might find. Taylor got a fantastic Italian suit.

Here I am finding bargains in the pit.

Taylor tries on a skirt.

We went home with a load of new-to-us clothes.It was so great, we went back the next day.

Taylor and Megan took me to hear their singer-songwriter friend Charlotte Cornfield perform -- great songwriting, and it was fun for this old boot to hang with that hip crowd for a few hours. Here's Charlotte's info:  http://www.myspace.com/charlottecornfield

A few more highlights:

eating at the famous Schwartz's Smoked Meats...

and getting together with my dear friend Angela Leuck, who lives in the Verdun neighbourhood, lives one of the most interesting lives of anyone I know, and serves up the best lunches ever.

_____________________

How to Say Goodbye to Your Daughter at the Airport When You
Don't Know When You Will See Her Again




Busy yourself with the money or keys or passport you can't find and be sure she parks illegally.



Don't cry. (You can save that for once you're inside the building and alone ... and tomorrow .... and next month.)



Tell her you love her very much.



Don't think about the future; keep it here and now.



Download the final photos (camera to computer) and thank the angels for every second you've ever had together, and remember this: it is all a miracle.