Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 17:20     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

It’s hard to get around and gritty. Hate the bagels. Nothing much to do besides eat.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 17:13     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Montreal and Toronto are the most bland cities I’ve ever visited (and I’ve visited multiple times).

Old Quebec, Vancouver, and even Ottawa are far more interesting/fun.


Ottawa, more interesting than Montreal? OTTAWA?

Well, I guess you live in the DC area, so you have a type…


Hahahahahahaha!
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 16:37     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:J’adore Montréal.


Moi aussi. j’ai visité en été and il y avait les festivités partout! Tout le monde adore le cirque.

En hiver … je ne sais pas.


I am so proud of myself that I can still read this. Haven't had a french class in 25 years.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 11:06     Subject: Re:Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Poutine is good.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 10:34     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Following.

I’m especially interested in experiences of people of African descent.


I am of African descent and I am from Montreal. Do you have any specific questions?


What is the climate for Blacks (we are African American)who do not speak French?


NP (and I am not Black)

There’s a significant Black population in Montreal - Caribbean and African. When we visited over the summer, there were multiple African music festivals going on.

People easily switch between French and English, sometimes in the same sentence! It’s like the NYC of Canada - diverse, lively, historic …

https://vuesdafrique.org/

https://www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com/en/

https://www.blackmontrealexperiences.com/

https://travelnoire.com/how-to-spend-a-day-in-black-owned-montreal-canada?item=1








Worth mentioning that people in Montreal are likely to speak english but once you get outside of Montreal many people speak French only. There is a major movement in Quebec to speak (and educate kids) in French only.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 10:29     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Me. I didn’t hate it, but it just seemed like a big city anywhere in North America. And a lot of it was under construction at the time.

Really enjoyed Quebec City for a few nights though.


That would be my takeaway as well. It had more character than Toronto but generally didn’t feel that dissimilar to a variety of major North American cities. It didn’t help that we went to Quebec City first.


But at least it feels like a real city. Quebec City feels like a tourist trap.


I like Quebec, but it’s basically no different than the old Montreal section but with a bluff overlooking the St Lawrence.

I have always had a great time in Montreal. I don’t really get others saying it is not much better than US cities…on what standard? Montreal has phenomenal restaurants, cool hiking near Magill, a great old town, funky neighborhoods, etc.

Ottawa is fine and the light show against parliament is cool, but it’s pretty mellow and not nearly as varied.

Only been to Toronto for short work trips but never explored. Friends that live there absolutely love it…but can’t comment directly.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 10:11     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Lots of Haitians in Montreal. It’s a diverse city. So is Toronto.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 10:03     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Anonymous wrote:Montreal and Toronto are the most bland cities I’ve ever visited (and I’ve visited multiple times).

Old Quebec, Vancouver, and even Ottawa are far more interesting/fun.


Winnipeg says, "hold my beer"
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 07:46     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Me. I didn’t hate it, but it just seemed like a big city anywhere in North America. And a lot of it was under construction at the time.

Really enjoyed Quebec City for a few nights though.


That would be my takeaway as well. It had more character than Toronto but generally didn’t feel that dissimilar to a variety of major North American cities. It didn’t help that we went to Quebec City first.


But at least it feels like a real city. Quebec City feels like a tourist trap.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 07:35     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Following.

I’m especially interested in experiences of people of African descent.


I am of African descent and I am from Montreal. Do you have any specific questions?


What is the climate for Blacks (we are African American)who do not speak French?


NP (and I am not Black)

There’s a significant Black population in Montreal - Caribbean and African. When we visited over the summer, there were multiple African music festivals going on.

People easily switch between French and English, sometimes in the same sentence! It’s like the NYC of Canada - diverse, lively, historic …

https://vuesdafrique.org/

https://www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com/en/

https://www.blackmontrealexperiences.com/

https://travelnoire.com/how-to-spend-a-day-in-black-owned-montreal-canada?item=1





Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 07:29     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

I am not PP, but I am Black and have been twice and really liked it! And in Montreal it seems everyone speaks English as well.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 07:26     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Anonymous wrote:J’adore Montréal.


Moi aussi. j’ai visité en été and il y avait les festivités partout! Tout le monde adore le cirque.

En hiver … je ne sais pas.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 07:21     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

J’adore Montréal.
Anonymous
Post 02/10/2024 07:13     Subject: Re:Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I hated that I found out the best pastrami is in Montreal and I will not be able to get it unless I return.


It’s not pastrami, it’s smoked meat. This is Montreal not nyc.


The smoked meat is great but it’s the bagels. The best bagels anywhere in the world (yes NYC, I know, it’ll be ok). I’ve had them shipped to me in DC. They are that good.


St. Viateur?


And Fairmount! Very similar but one is slightly better than the other and both are way better than anything else anywhere.


NP. Didn’t care for the Montreal bagels at all. The crust to chewiness ratio didn’t work for me.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2024 23:22     Subject: Who DIDN’T enjoy Montréal?

Anonymous wrote:If you go to Montreal and don't love it the problem isn't Montreal, it's you.


Yes, if you never leave Centre-Ville it can seem boring, but if you make the slightest effort to leave the beaten path and connect with the locals it's incredible. Dirt cheap (by Canadian standards) a little gritty, uninhibited, and fun.

Last time I was there I wandered into a little bistro by the Lachine with a mural of Scooby Doo on the side where some hippies just handed me an eighth of mushrooms and an hour later we were rolling in the grass in a graveyard. The time before that a cab driver pointed to a skeleton charm on his rear view and said "you know zey call me ze bone collector. Can I take you to my favorite restaurant?" And it was the best damn cafe I've ever been to.


Such a weird, awesome place.




No thank you.