A Piece of History - Berlin Wall

Childhood.

Innocence.

As children we are taught the concept of right and wrong, values beyond, we often cannot grasp. Running on the open fresh cut yard, historical events are being made. Unable to understand the outside world, we continue to run.


However one day, when we finally understand that there is more to life than our back yards, we realize that the world isn’t as perfect as we thought. We are able to learn and to adapt, and hope that one day the world will become a better place for our children. Moving forward, we learn from our mistakes, appreciate those that we have lost and do what we can to share our knowledge.


On November 9 1989 marked the fall of the Berlin Wall. Not only was it the end of East German’s communist regime, but the beginning of something new, freedom.

In 1992, the city of Berlin gave a segment of the Berlin wall to the city of Montreal for its 350th birthday. Today it stands on display in the Centre de Commerce mondial de Montréal. Many Montréalers do not realize that a piece of history is in our reach. When you plan to take a walk to Old Montreal, take the time to visit. An information panel is mounted discussing the events of the Berlin wall. When you do visit, you will be happy that you had a chance to experience history.


No longer running in the open fields, I take time to appreciate history.

Centre de Commerce mondial de Montréal
747, rue Square Victoria

Metro : Square-Victoria

Chow's Pastry Shop

In the last year, a growing number of pastry shops in the heart of Chinatown have emerged. Wonderfully displaying their deserts in their trendy cafeteria style setup, have won the hearts of visitors and Montréalers. Who wouldn’t want to venture in and try a bright pink filled cake or one of my favourite treats, an almond cookie.
The next time you are in Chinatown, I am recommending you not enter these “high-end”, as I like to call them, Chinese pastry shops. Rather continue to make your way at the very end of Chinatown on De la Gauchetiere Street (East), where you will find Chow’s Pastry Shop. Situated at the front of the entrance, it is easy for many of us to pass it by not knowing that a pastry shop exists. However those who do stumble upon the shop are lucky.

Walking inside Chows, it can be easily mistaken for beings in someone’s kitchen. Behind the till, are family members and friends of the Chow gossiping about the latest news and stirring ingredients to make scrumptious desserts. Always peaking at those who enter and leave, their welcoming smile offers a genuine Pastry shop without the frills.

Against the wall are an array of pastries and desserts. Don’t hesitate to ask for their favourites. I often grab the almond cookie I crave, as well as becoming adventurous by try something new.
For as long as I can remember, Chow’s Pastry Shop has been around forever. Their presence is what Chinatown is about. A family owned shop, creating baked goods in the background. You will not be getting a stylish cafeteria, rather delicious inexpensive desserts made with tons of love and the latest gossip.

Love the city you are in.

Amour de Montréal.



Chow's Pasty Shop
16 de la Gauchetière St. W
Metro : St-Laurent

Book Club – The Year of the Flood

A month ago, I took a walk into Indigo, downtown on St. Catherine Street. Like any other Indigo day, I first made my way upstairs to the bargain section. Filtering through the piles of novels, I did not find anything. Turning toward the amazing coffee shop, where I ordered a black medium coffee, I spotted a discounted notebook for 2 dollars. Grabbing the notebook and not satisfied in finding a novel, I managed to head toward the fiction area. Clearing my way through the busy crowd, I saw in front of me, The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood.

It’s unfortunate up until that point that I never had read any literature written by Margaret Atwood. After reading the flap and her rave reviews from her previous novel, Oryx and Crake, without hesitation I took a chance in purchasing it. At the cash, the staff also raved about the Oryx and Crake, as well as The Year of the Flood. Mind you, I truly put my trust in the reviews of Indigo’s staff, I have never once been disappointed.

During my busy schedule I made time at night to read the novel. Truth be told, I was a bit apprehensive. Atwood throws you into this grim-future of how the world ended. Her vividly and wild imagination transported me from my comfy couch to an apocalyptic future. Needless to say, the time I spent with her characters, Ren and Toby, as well as the Gardeners, made January’s coldest days fly by.

This is an amazing read. It has so many layers of themes and beautifully well-written that your mind will continue to clatter and reflect.

It makes perfect sense at this point to recommend this after persuading you to go to the library. At the library, they have 8 available, waiting to be read. Feel free to leave comments about the novel.

Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec

I would like to introduce you all to the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. It’s rather funny that my first recommendation would be a library. However, I am always surprised to find that there are so many people that never have actually passed the full-size revolving doors to the library.

Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec is a staple in my weekly activities during the winter. During the cold winter days, it’s a perfect weekend getaway. I come and go, each week carrying a bag full of music, books and DVDs to discover. The brilliant thing about the library is that it is free. Yes free! Bring an id and a proof of address. That’s it!

Every week, I stand on the forth floor in front of a sea like vast collection of music. Walking through the aisles, I always take chances by grabbing discs of unknown artists. My latest discovery, Oscar Peterson: Stephane Grappelli quartet vol. 2 from the Jazz in Paris series. Making my way pass the countless discs, I stand in front of a herd of film lovers flipping through stacks of DVD’s, all contemplating their next viewing. I recommend going to the television series section where you will uncover several surprising finds as well as some unexpected classics.

Last but not least, saving the best for last, I roam throughout the rest of the floors engulfed with volumes amount of paper that’s been inked to make wonderful past times experiences on my cold winter days. Lately I have been wondering the arts section, reading the works of Van Gogh.

I recommend taking a walk around the building, to discover every nook and cranny. The building itself is nicely built. Take time to discover the National Collection, if not to discover, then a quiet escape to read or study. Do not be turned away by the security guard, she or he will provide a locker for you to stash your belongings.

I hope that this weekend and the next, I will pass each and one of you.

Love the city you are in.

Amour de Montréal.



Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec
475, boulevard De Maisonneuve Est, Montréal (Québec) H2L 5C4
Opening hours :
Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 10 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm
Metro : Berri

A Gift to Montréal

I have spent the last 2 hours trying to debunk the art of writing an introduction for a blog. However with unsuccessful attempts on my Word processor, I have decided to succumb to a defeat. However, as I pondered of what to say in the initial paragraph, I was too preoccupied with the possibilities and main intent of this blog.

Montréal is a city that I fell in love with. It’s very simple why: the architecture, the people, the food, the music, the arts, and so on. I can sit here for the next 30 minutes listing the reasons why I fell in love with Montreal. However, I won’t because I believe that this city deserves more than 30 minutes of my time.

For the next year, my mission is to share the secrets of Montréal. I want to embark on a blog journey depicting what Montréal is about such as where to go eat, hang out and so forth. This is not to give reviews of what places I prefer to the next, but the places that I cherish and would like to share. Along this journey, for those who will follow, I will also share local Montréal artisans works and promote the diversity that Montréal has to offer. One thing to let you know right now is that I am big supporter of local development in our community.

Those who will follow me for the next year, I encourage you to take the time to comment on my daily blogs. Share and express your thoughts. I look forward to our new kinship relationship.

Love the city you are in.

Amour de Montréal.