montreal lunch

Well, we didn't get up at sparrow fart, but we did go to Montreal for a late lunch yesterday. We arrived around 1 and went straight to Rue St. Denis for lunch at L'Express. I've always wanted to go there because I've heard such great things about it. The ambiance is like a traditional French bistro—we felt like we were back in Paris. And just an hour and a half drive away! The menu offers all of the classics: croque monsieur, chevre chaud salad, steak frites... but we weren't blown away by the food. In fact, I think the best part of the meal was our espressos at the end. But we didn't really care. It was the perfect getaway.

Did a little shopping after lunch, hopped in the car and we were back home before 8pm.

Seriously, I don't know why we don't go there more often. It's so close and so refreshing. Every time we go, we say, "We should do this more often."

yes, which way?

I'm trying to figure out what to do with my weekend now that it's here. The responsible side of me was planning to stay home and clean and do errands. But the wild side is feeling bored with being responsible and working and doing things just to cross them off the list. So maybe I should just have fun for once?

I kinda just want to hop in the car at sparrow fart and drive up to Montreal for the day. Maybe...

to the royal mount

Montreal was a much-needed weekend getaway. We drove up Saturday after our morning coffee. It was a beautiful drive up with an endless clear blue sky. As we crossed the border from Vermont into Canada, the lush green forests diminished. Then it was golden cornfields stretching for miles, punctuated every now and then by clusters of old silos. Silos gave way to electrical towers the closer we got to the city. Corn fields gave way to concrete structures. We passed the Coca Cola man and knew we were close.


We headed towards centre-ville, passed the grain mills by the river.


Early afternoon sun cast jeweled reflections off some office buildings. They shimmered quietly as we passed.


After we checked into the hotel, we headed down to the old port area. It's touristy there, but we didn't care. We decided to grab some frites and wine at a little cafe.


It reminded us of Paris a little bit, and was almost romantic, despite the tacky parade of brides and white Hummer limos making their way through the small cobblestone streets of Old Montreal. We saw at least 10 different bridal parties having photoshoots among the picturesque buildings. I wish we had've taken some pictures of them ourselves.


I liked the green glass on this building.


A pagoda rooftop in China Town.


Finally, it was evening and so we headed back down to the piers for the Sigur Rós show. It was on the Quai Jacques Cartier with the city lights offering a gorgeous back-drop. We ran into Chip and Susan as we got to the entrance. Here, we were waiting in line to get into the show.


We were there early, so we walked around the Quai, got drinks and took pictures of the scenery...


Then Sigur Rós came on stage. They started playing, and it was pure magic. We were entranced. They city scape was bright and lively, with a large search light scanning the sky every minute or so. Yet, we were far enough removed that the setting was strangely quiet. Just like the music—lively, bright, complex, while at the same time serene, enchanting, dark. It was the perfect set really. I wonder if they planned it that way. Here's a picture of the stage with the city of Montreal in the background.


If you ever get the chance to see Sigur Rós live in concert, you must go. If you ever get the chance to see Sigur Rós live in concert, "en plein air" as the French say (outside) with the city of Montreal as a back-drop, you must, must go. As the band played, their ethereal sound bounced off the stage, bounced off the the waters of the St. Lawrence River behind us, off the buildings perched on the royal mount, and landed, hovering like a warm globe above our ears. It washed over us. And we were entranced. And then, there were dolls...


And then, there was fairy dust...


And rainbows... and passion... and fashion... And the show ended, just like that. But our senses remained piqued. We just had to walk it off.


We walked back up the hill and passed this fountain on the way. Underground lights infused the water with a fiery glow. We posed.


And that's that. I wish you could've been there.


They do too...

A gusting wind, and, music to lose yourself in

I was roused in the middle of the night last night by a fierce gusting wind forcing its way through the bedroom windows, pushing the long window panels virtually sideways. They were flapping loudly like the sails on a boat in an ocean storm and, as they parted and whipped from side to side, the street lamp outside cast eerie shadows onto the wooden floor. I got out of bed and closed the windows. But it only caused the old glass panes to rattle even more loudly. I finally fell back asleep, but kept waking to the loud, whipping wind that lasted till morning. It colored my dreams and when I finally awoke for good, it was an hour too late and I was out of sorts.

There’s another wind whipping around our place these days. It’s the wind of transition. People all around us are moving. They are changing. Ending life. Starting life. Starting new life together... The winter is coming. Meanwhile, here we stand, Col and I, feet firmly planted on solid ground. We’re rooted ever-deeper in this place. We bought a home here together. And we’re staying put. For a while anyhow.

It’s not easy to stand firmly in place when the winds of change are whipping their persuasive tendrils around your every limb. Pulling you this way and that to bigger and better things. Calling you to keep up with the rest of the crowd. Still, I’m determined to use this moment as motivation to make this place we’re attached to as vibrant and exciting as ever—in hopes that we don’t need to change ourselves to be happy, but just to change what we’re doing. It will require some effort, but not much I feel. Change can happen at home too.

So what’s first on the list? Colin and I are going to Montreal on Saturday (it’s right around the corner really). We’re going on an overnight trip to enjoy the city and see Sigur Ros in concert at the Quai Jacques Cartier. Colin used to play their music for me when we were first dating and even though we still listen to them all the time, I equate their music with that time in my life when I was falling in love. Everything was sensual, hopeful and exciting. Everything tasted good. Everything sounded good. Everything was good.

I am really excited for the show. I’ve never seen them live, but Colin has and he predicts this outdoor show will be amazing. Hope we have good weather. Maybe we’ll fit in some shopping in beforehand at the Atwater Market...