Wednesday, May 16

Protesters

Poutine

Vieux Montreal covers and area of about 1/2 miles and is located between the St. Lawrence River and downtown Montreal.  Its lively neighborhoods are full of heritage, history and architecture.
In the City Center lies Basilique Notre-Dame de Montreal.  Founded in 1642, the faithful originally gathered in a modest wooden chapel, which by 1692 was replaced by a stone church.  Around 1800 many parishioners had to listen to mass from the forecourt since there was not enough room inside the church and construction began in 1824 for the Basilica that stands today.
What makes this church so special is not only its grand scale, but the interior decorations.  Inspired in great part by the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, the ornate altarpiece sculptures and detailed stain glass windows are exquisite.  Masses and several types of concerts are held at the Basilica on a regular basis and Celine Dion's grandiose wedding was held here.
As we walked past Les Trois Palais de Justice (The Three Courthouses) we couldn't help but notice the small gathering of protesters (students against proposed university tuition hikes - who have been storming campus classrooms destroying property and threatening faculty).  Could they be related to our Occupy Wall Street crowd?  Probably not, although they both feel entitled to free education, housing, etc  ......... ever heard of the word work?

Basilique Notre-Dame de Montreal

Throughout our tour of the Province de Quebec we have noticed the popularity of a French Canadian dish called Poutine - French fries and fresh cheese curds, covered with brown gravy - it looks as disgusting as it sounds.  Kathy wouldn't try it even at McDonalds (which is one of the very few places with fountain Diet Coke in Quebec, a major issue for her).  The crepes de berries, on the other hand, were culinary delights.  On either count, Michelle Obama would be appalled.