j'aime montréal!

MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- As a non-French speaking bear, I was a wee bit nervous about being in Montreal. But not to worry, this is a totally enchanting city where no matter what language you speak, you will fall in love with it! People from Quebec are like no other North Americans...they have that certain "joie dans la vie" that is found everywhere: in its food, in its festivals and in its contagious Quebecois way of life.

Although it wasn't yet noon, it was already quite hot riding in the cab with Sue from the airport to the Auberge Bonaparte, our cozy hotel in Vieux Montreal (which Sue told me translates to "Old Montreal"). We have a nice, airy room with hardwood floors and a dandy little window where I'm sure I'll spend most of my time. In fact I can see a bit of the Notre-Dame de Montreal Basilica from my special perch.

Sue told me that's where Celine Dion and her hubby were married in 1994 (only 250 people were invited but millions watched around the world).

I was so tuckered out from our adventure of spending the night in the New Jersey airport, I declined Sue's offer to tag along with her and a friend to lunch. She raved about the restaurant when she returned, saying that Lemeac was lovely. Located in the Outremont area of Montreal, they dined on the patio where Sue enjoyed Asian Shrimp Salad and Champagne. Ooh la la!

My meal was not so exotic, just some cheese and nuts that I found in the bottom of Sue's backpack. But that's all I needed, after all I'm quite small. With a nicely full tummy, I took my usual afternoon nap. I'd see the city later.

Sue finally returned at 4:30 PM, too tired to do any more sightseeing. Sleeping on the airport floor the night before in Newark finally caught up with her; soon she was snoozing away on the bed. In fact, she didn't awaken until 9:30 PM, and was confused as she thought it was morning. "Why is it so dark in here?" she asked.

I laughed and told her it was still night time and she groaned. Too tired to go out for dinner, she went back to sleep, only to awaken at 3 AM. This girl is tired!

Sue promised me we'd go out at the first sign of daylight, and she stuck to her word. Secure in her pack, I had a perfect view of Montreal in the early morning dawn. It was Bastille Day, July 14, and at 5:30 AM there was nobody around. I could smell the aroma of the clip-clops (horse-driven carriages); spotted a homeless man going through the garbage; watched as joggers stepped carefully on the cobblestones; and helped Sue take photos as the sun cast its golden glow on the historic buildings of Old Montreal.

There were a few other four-legged creatures roaming about: stray cats poking in and out of doorways and a dog or two checking out the Friday scene.

But not one other teddy bear.

I wonder if the animals here speak French?



Copyright © 2006 Sue Frause. All rights reserved.