Rendezvous with the Quebecois

Where else could you mix the class of French cuisine with Walmart. Yes, that's right, in Montreal!

Heading north from New York's La Guardia airport, I went to Montreal in the Canadian province of Quebec. Montreal was an interesting city - heading into town down the wide North American style streets, lined with Walmart, one of the biggest variety of fast food outlets (each with an acre of available parking spaces, you will end up in the centre of town, lined with delightfully coloured terraces, a magnificent cathedral, a couple of impressive bridges, and a truly UFO-like Olympic Tower from when the city hosted the Olympic Games in 1976.

The interior of the Notre Dame Basilica and the Canadian Flag flying

We spent a couple of days wandering around Montreal - shopping, eating, testing out my meagre knowledge of French. We did find, however, that the French spoken in, Quebec is somewhat different to that spoken in France itself. We also visited the Notre Dame Basilica, which is a must see for anyone visiting the city - it is built in the neogothic style, and the interior is quite unique, with the altar highlighted with the blue backlight. We finished the day sitting in the sun, in amongst the action near Place du Jacques Cartier.

The Molson Brewery, and the picturesque streets of the old town

The tower of the Olympic Stadium - Very 70's!