A few weeks ago, I was in Montreal for a conference. Montreal, even in Spring, is very cold and the wind whips through the city the way it does in Chicago. Like most of Canada (the Canada I’ve seen anyway), it was clean. However, it was more empty than other cities I’ve seen. Except for two shopping streets, the place was eerily quiet.
I was very lucky to have Melissa with me, as she speaks French. Montreal is a very French city. Luckily, most places had English menus (upon discovery of my ignorance). There was only place we went in which a waitress spoke no English.
Some of the cathedrals were quite lovely. As I grew up a Protestant in the South, where churches are often converted warehouses, I am always in awe of old churches and their beauty. However, in the churches and on some streets were depictions of the white man bringing Jesus to the Natives. (I don’t believe we encountered any Natives in the city, however). Never before have stained glass windows seemed so imperialistic.
