ajmatt blog

(There is no continuity in this entry. I jump around from language, to museums, to duck ponds, to hockey. Hope it makes sense.)

Visiting Montréal is like a little trip to Paris (not that I’ve ever been there)—but a shorter flight and without the jet lag. The city has a European feel, tons of French food, and everyone has a French accent and speaks excellent English. I love the bilingual aspect, am fascinated by Montréal’s history of language, and jealous of all of these people who effortlessly switch back and forth.

Yesterday we visited the Basilique Notre-Dame (linking to Wikipedia because the official website doesn’t translate to English) and the Pointe-à-Callière museum of archeology and history.

Pointe-à-Callière made my list of favorite museums. It is built around and on top of an archaeological excavation. The main exhibit is in the basement—foundations of the first Montréal buildings built in the 17th and 18th century, including an entire cobblestone street. If you’re into history at all, read more about it here.

According to Frommer’s, our hotel has a famous duck pond. Why it is famous, I have not been able to determine. It just looks frozen right now.

We’re staying on the same floor as a high school girl’s hockey team. Their manager told us about them… in French (i.e. he didn’t assume we were American). Awesome all around. (Matt wants me to qualify this. Fine. Girl’s hockey teams have been around for eons in the northern states, but those of us from non-northeastern states might find it interesting and cool.)

Why am I doing all the blogging? Because Matt is studying, deep in his Philosophy of Science textbook. I am happy with this division of labor.