Hi Pentaxian friends.
In this Essay, I am presenting Montréal, the City where I first saw the light of day. Although I now live in Southern California, it is still my favorite place in the world...but as I turn the pages of life, the City has become too cold, for my older bones, in the winter. If only I could bring Montréal to Southern California! In this first of three posts, here are the generalities of the City:
Image - Public Domain
Montréal is the second largest City in Canada and the second largest French speaking City in the world, second only to Paris. The city was named in 1534 when Jacques Cartier first landed there. The native Indians called it Hochelaga. (We often forget that the land, of both Canada and the United States, were really stolen from the native inhabitants, by our ancestors...but that's a whole separate subject) Cartier named the place Mount Royal, from the elevation that rose in rear of the site, a little way back from the St. Lawrence River. Later on the name was changed to "Ville-Marie" by Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve, then to "Ville-Marie de Montréal". Today the name is simply: Montréal.
Mass transportation is accomplished with the use of a subway system (The Metro)
Photo - Public Domain
Montréal is the second largest City in Canada and the second largest French speaking City in the world, second only to Paris. The city was named in 1534 when Jacques Cartier first landed there. The native Indians called it Hochelaga. (We often forget that the land, of both Canada and the United States, were really stolen from the native inhabitants, by our ancestors...but that's a whole separate subject) Cartier named the place Mount Royal, from the elevation that rose in rear of the site, a little way back from the St. Lawrence River. Later on the name was changed to "Ville-Marie" by Paul de Chomedey, Sieur de Maisonneuve, then to "Ville-Marie de Montréal". Today the name is simply: Montréal.
The City is progressive with new Buildings overshadowing Old and Historical Edifices.
Photo © 2010 – Anne Bourque, Pentax K-x
The current population of Montréal is nearly two millions and approaching four millions with the suburbs. The City is a multi-cultural melting pot where people of many ethnicities, religions and cultures live in close harmony, or as harmoniously as it can be in this day and age.
The City is progressive with new Buildings overshadowing Old and Historical Edifices. Mass transportation is accomplished with the use of a subway system (The Metro) that allows displacement of the thousands of workers, shoppers, students and tourists alike, from one end of the City to the other in less than twenty minutes. Most of the downtown buildings, including apartment complexes, are connected to the Metro via tunnels and underground walkways, allowing “Montrealers” to go out and about in the frigid Canadian winters without ever really going outside. The underground Montreal is one of the largest in the world.
The City is progressive with new Buildings overshadowing Old and Historical Edifices. Mass transportation is accomplished with the use of a subway system (The Metro) that allows displacement of the thousands of workers, shoppers, students and tourists alike, from one end of the City to the other in less than twenty minutes. Most of the downtown buildings, including apartment complexes, are connected to the Metro via tunnels and underground walkways, allowing “Montrealers” to go out and about in the frigid Canadian winters without ever really going outside. The underground Montreal is one of the largest in the world.
Photo © 2010 – Yvon Bourque, Pentax K-7
Photo © 2010 – Yvon Bourque, Pentax K-7
To me, Montréal is one of the most vibrant and exciting City. There's always something to do in Montréal. The "Vieux Montréal" (Old Montréal) is the most visited area and where most street performers, artists and painters gather. The food is known to be excellent and from all corners of the World. The City is one of the safest major City in North America. We had no fear of walking around late at night as we walked all the way to the top of Mount Royal to see the City lights. The area was alive with tourists and couples looking over the City. It’s actually quite a romantic place.
The "Vieux Montréal" (Old Montréal) is the most visited area
Photo © 2010 – Yvon Bourque, Pentax K-7
To me, Montréal is one of the most vibrant and exciting City. There's always something to do in Montréal. The "Vieux Montréal" (Old Montréal) is the most visited area and where most street performers, artists and painters gather. The food is known to be excellent and from all corners of the World. The City is one of the safest major City in North America. We had no fear of walking around late at night as we walked all the way to the top of Mount Royal to see the City lights. The area was alive with tourists and couples looking over the City. It’s actually quite a romantic place.
We had no fear of walking around late at night as we walked all the way to the top of Mount Royal to see the City lights.
Photo © 2010 – Yvon Bourque, Pentax K-7
Since the summer is relatively short in Montréal, every summer day is cherished and festivals abound in the fair weather Months. The Montréal Jazz Festival is the largest in the world. There are festivals all summer long, from “Art” to “JazZ” and everything in between. There must be a reason why the City is renowned as a City of Festivals.
Since the summer is relatively short in Montréal, every summer day is cherished and festivals abound in the fair weather Months. The Montréal Jazz Festival is the largest in the world. There are festivals all summer long, from “Art” to “JazZ” and everything in between. There must be a reason why the City is renowned as a City of Festivals.
To be continued...
Thanks for reading...Montréal Je t'aime.
Yvon Bourque
Yvon Bourque
5 comments:
Bonjour M. Bourque,
La photo avec le fisheye est super, top . Il fait vraiment froid ici, vous avez raison .
Montreal really is absolutely amazing. It has always been a magical place for me and probably always will. You really bring out all the beauty in your photos. For such a big metropolitan area, the crime really is low... even the raccoons on Mount Royal are friendly!
I spent a weekend in Montreal at the beginning of September. The wind was already cold, but I loved the city and want to go back to visit again. I was there with family but was itching to go out exploring on my own--it seemed to offer so much to the street photographer in me.
I'm eagerly awaiting your next 2 instalments.
Miserere,
Montreal is a lot like New York for the cosmopolitan side of it but it's a much safer City. People like to party there, sort like in New Orleans, and the food is great. My next posts will be about the food and then the people.
I was walking around at night and felt quite safe...safer than in New Orleans! :-D At one point the 4 of us were on a corner consulting a map and a guy came up and asked if we needed help getting somewhere; my female cousin, who comes from a less safe city elsewhere in the World was startled and told him to go away. He smiled and looked at her like she was a drama queen, then went on his way. I bet he was thinking stupid tourists!. LOL!
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