We did not really know that the city of Montreal is a complete island like Manhattan — but four times its size. We also did not know some of the history of the three big cities. Quebec City became the first power center, thanks to the business acumen of the Scots and its strategic place on the St. Lawrence river for exchanging goods with Europe and beyond.
As the middle of Canada became a huge source of grain and the area around Montreal was teeming with beavers (whose skins made fabulous hats coveted in Europe), Montreal emerged as the major city. Then the St. Lawrence Seaway (man-made) gave Toronto a more strategic location and it overtook Montreal. Montreal has recast its economy, in part through the presence of five Universities. And it is a historic city with a lot of beautiful 100+ year old buildings.
One of the features we discovered was their “underground”. Underneath the buildings are 24 miles of wide, brightly lit pristine walkways with no graffiti. It connects a huge number of buildings, and is a great way to get around in winter or rain.
We also had our first tariff impact. When I ordered my favorite cocktail, an Old Fashioned, I was advised no US liquor was available at bars — even at the Four Seasons. A government sponsored boycott. Luckily I prefer Rye whiskey in that drink, and they make some really good Rye in Canada.
Wrapping up, because of the strong French and English heritage here every place featuring government funded art that features the French will also have something equal honoring the English.
Our favorite was a pair of statues, each with a snooty mask and a dog. They are actually a block apart. The man is holding a pug, which are English. He is looking at, and being snooty, to the Catholic cathedral. She is holding a poodle, which are French, wearing a Dior suit and being snooty to the Bank of Montreal, which symbolized the banking industry created by the English. Part of the subtlety is that both dogs are looking at each other, as if they want to play. Love the sense of humor!
