A different Christmas for 2011

Happy Christmas!

If you have ever spent a Christmas away from home, I can only assume they get easier after the first one. Needless to say I had a bit of an emotional day and I sort of knew I would. Seeing as I know next to no one in this huge city I had decided that I would go to the movies. For years I seen movies with the release date of Christmas Day and always thought 'why would you go to the movies on Christmas Day'. After making this decision to go, I've found out that that lots of people go and I wasn't even the only one that was there alone. I might have been the only one that saw 2 movies at 2 different theatres though.

2 weeks!

I've officially been in Montreal for 2 full weeks!! It doesn't feel like it's been that long and I guess that really isn't a long time.

Anyway today I planned to go to the Musee d'art contemporain de Montreal, Contemporary Art, but after I looked it up online it didn't look like something I wanted to see. So I looked up other Art Galleries and I found the Museum of Fine Art. It looked more interesting and it was free to visit. By the time I left the apartment, it was mid afternoon. When I got off the Metro I went the wrong way down the street. After I got turned around and found where I was going it was 3:30ish. I wanted to see as much art as I could, but the place closes at 5. So I walked all the way up to the 4th level.

Forum!!

Today I took the Metro into the downtown area. I got off at the Atwater station and after leaving the ‘station area’ I was really overwhelmed, (I’ll get to that). Well first off all there was the panhandler that saw my Montreal Canadiens purse and said “I love Montreal, take me home with you” or something along those line, I didn’t even give him the time of day and just kept walking. There isn’t too many panhandlers I only have a couple other that stand out to me, the first day I was here there was a lady she looked like a witch, her eyes were sunken in with dark make up, she had bad teeth but what I had noticed first was the faux fur coat that had some sort of animal print but also had Mickey Mouse shapes on it. She approached me in French and I gullibly stopped and listened, she wanted money for a coffee and I almost considered it, but untimely said I didn’t have any and went on my way. Afterwards I thought to myself, why didn’t I just pretend I didn’t understand French. The other one that stands out was then I was wandering around downtown. I was approaching an intersection and there was a young couple washing windows, squeegee kids. I was already prepared to say I didn’t have change, incase they asked, the guy did approach me and said something along the lines of “wash your window for change” but before I actually realized what he said I said I didn’t have any. He just kinda laughed and continued on his way.

Biodome, Olympic Stadium and downtown!

Today I had a full day, I left home around 11. I wanted to miss the lunch rush on the Metro, and I succeeded! I'm not sure how long the trip was, but it didn't seem THAT long. I got off at Viau Station, which was right next to the Biodome! The Biodome was cool. I wish I had my camera but all the more reason to go back. After the Biodome, I went up the Olympic Tower, the view was great but the snowflakes got in the way. When I came down from the tower I took a tour of the Olympic Stadium. It was a private tour, because there was no one else there for the tour. haha My tour guide happened to be a Montrealer so after the tour, he told me places I should go and places I should not go. It was great because I really didn't know where or what I should see in the city. I needed that because I didn't really have a plan before. I just had a few things I wanted to see and he told me about other things to do. He also told me not to be afraid of the downtown so after I left the Big O, I got off the Metro downtown and just walked around. It was game day, but I don't think I was there late enough to fully enjoy the excitement. I did however, experience the packed Metro at 5 o'clock, it wasn't too bad though.

~believe.

Metro!

So today I had every intention of taking the Metro (first time ever and alone) to the Biodome. However, last night I decided to find it on google and see exactly where I was going. I also checked out their website and found out that it was closed today. I still wanted to take the Metro (Subway) so I did a bit of research and found a Walmart within walking distance of the 'Green line' [the green line is closets to me and I figured as long as I don't have to change lines and can walk to and from the station I should be good]. So I headed to the local Metro Station and it was simple enough to find my way and get to where I was going. It wasn't even that packed, probably because I waited until after lunch, again I had planned for before lunch but just wasn't quite ready so I waited until after.

I almost thought I was lost, on my way home I got off at the right station but I took the wrong stairs up but I didn't let myself get too turned around and found my way easily.

Tomorrow I am going to the Biodome! It's a ways away so that should be fun.

In the evening I went to The Wheel or The Wheel Club. Monday night is "Hillbilly Night". Basically anyone that wants to perform just has to put their name on a list, with a few rules. No electric instruments, including drums. All songs must be Bluegrass or Country and from before 1965 and not your own. (I think those were the only rules). The opening act performs 3 songs, then everyone else performs 2, unless they are the 'mini feature' they perform 4. It's pretty much a big jam session. The guys that 'kicked off' the evening played with most everyone. With Christmas approaching there were a few Christmas songs.

The place it's self was interesting. You go down these steps outside and by the smoking area into a basement area. It's all open with the bar to the right and the 'stage' on the left. In front of the stage there are 3 big wheels painted white and on the wall behind the performers are several pictures of past performers, ones that 'went somewhere,' I guess. There was a good mix of older people and college kids. I enjoyed myself and I would probably go back, but I don't see it becoming a weekly event.

~believe.

Day 3

I haven’t done much the last couple of days, I’m trying to muster up enough courage to take the Metro. I finally remembered to look the website and I think I have it figured out or rather figured out enough to get somewhere and hopefully get back. haha If I leave early enough in the day I am sure I can get back no problem.

I may not have ventured far but every time I am out I see someone wearing a Habs logo. It's just exciting being in this city!

~believe.

Hello Montreal!

I’m really not sure what that is from but we’ve, my family and I, have been saying it for years. I thought it was a perfect title for this post, considering I am in Montreal!! And I said Hello to Montreal early this morning!

You read right, I’ve made the big move and Montreal is my new home.

As I posted last night, my flight was early this morning. We left home around 4AM, it was dark and raining, we got to the airport with lots of time to spare. I’ve only flown twice before today and it seemed to be a normal trip through the airport, except almost not being able to check my luggage, see it was 79 lbs, 80 is the limit I think. I managed to fit my ‘whole life’ is one large suit case, a book bag, laptop bag and a camera bag, I thought I did pretty good. If I had to remove something from my suitcase that might have caused problems but I would have done it, if I had too. However, I didn’t have too, yay! It didn’t make traveling any easier though, it was me that had to drag it through the airport and me that had to drag it on and off the shuttle. But I made it!

your move orrrr My move...

I know I have been MIA, but I haven't really had any new news. I didn't want to write "I've been looking for a job, a place to stay and at plane tickets..." I would have had to write it over and over and that is not interesting to read.
So I can officially say that I am moving to Montreal! My bags are packed (almost) and I have already checked in and printed my boarding pass. That's right I am leaving in the morning!! It's only been a week or so since I purchased my ticket.
I'm going to try and keep this blog updated on my adventures.

~believe.