Living: Montreal smoketown

I just witnessed a mother push her baby stroller in the middle of the crosswalk.  Let it go to light a cigarette.  Literally in the middle of the street.  Montreal has a smoking problem.

It is 19 degrees Fahrenheit outside and I saw people bare handed with a cigarette in the hand.  There are signs everywhere that say Smoke Free Air Zone or something like that but in French.  And right outside that area I saw cigarette butts all on the ground.

I witnessed a man pick up a cigarette off the ground to smoke it.  This is not a poor man only habit.  I saw elegant ladies outside in their winter jackets, and while those around them were covering their faces to keep the cold wind away, these ladies were puffing away.

I would think that vaping would be popular here.  Maybe it is, but I didn't see any evidence of that.  I  saw cigarettes and lots of them.  Someone on every corner, every crosswalk I was on with a cigarette.

I asked permission to take a photo of his cigarette as I was crossing the crosswalk.

Empty package of cigarettes on the ground.

On the sidewalk.

Appreciating: Empty Airport

Miami International Airport J  concourse

I arrived at the airport as per my early usual.  I have anticipation anxiety.  That means I get so excited by going somewhere that my nerves are all on end until I get to the place I need to go.  For me that place is the airport.

I arrived to an empty counter at Air Canada.  I walked through the priority line, I figured that was me.  When I got to the counter, I asked "Are 2 checked luggage included in the upgrade?,"  He said yes and checked both my luggage bags.  He printed out a boarding pass and notified me that the gate was J7 and that the VIP Lounge was Avianca.  This was so cool.  

I walked over to TSA check-in and I was third in line.  I took all the time in the world to get out everything and un-robe. I even helped the man in front of me tuck in his bookbag straps and get two more bins he needed to get his laptop and tablet out.  The TSA lady was not in a good mood.  He made it through ok and when I went through, it was easy breezy.  The Scanner said You are free to go.  That rarely happened.  This is a great day.

The walk to the concourse was kinda long. I wasn't dragging around my carry-on.  This is great.  I stopped by the Tumi store to check out the new items.  The lady looked at my bag and immediately treated my like a Tumi customer.  I felt like this is what heaven must be like . Only the airport is missing the cats.  Cats are heaven to me.

I stopped by Starbucks and unexpectedly had a balance on one of my Starbucks gift cards.  So I only owed 2.90.  Wonderful.  I proceeded to the V.I.P.  lounge. It was empty for the most part and the greeter was super nice.  The V.I.P lounge has a bar.  Since I don't drink hard liquor I was a little like gosh I wish I could mix a drink for breakfast!  I opted for the only thing that I felt would serve me... A small bowl of  roasted potatoes.

I had finished the potatoes and was going to use the same bowl to get seconds when the server came and put her "work gloved" hand in the bowl.  I told her I was done and decided that was probably a sign that I didn't need more potatoes.

So, I am typing this on my mini keyboard and using my Amazon tablet with the free secure WIFI from the V.I.P Lounge in the Miami International Airport.  All the moments of my life have led me to this place.  I am smiling.  I love my life.

I am calm now.  I am at the airport.  The anticipation anxiety comes back the closer it gets to boarding time.  Since I am first to board this will ease the anxiety greatly and the fact that I just have my backpack makes this all the much more easier.  Totally loving sitting at a table in this lounge with the sweet sounds of soothing music and the soft  murmur of conversations being spoken in languages that I do not recognize. And the clank of silverware and ceramic.

I still have about two hours until I board.  I am kinda hungry, but I would like to save room for the in flight meal.  I hope I can make it partly vegan.  If they have warm nuts I will be happy and a cup of hot water for tea and the leg room and the comfy seat.  I have a window seat.  Awesome! I get to look out the window. The thing about the window seat though, it is cold.  I feel how cold it is to be so high up.  I can smell the winter in Montreal as I type this.  I really am looking forward to saying "Bonjour Montreal."

I downloaded a book and some videos about Montreal.  I will attend to that now.  

Living: Montreal Winter 2016

Vieux Montreal

I haven't posted for awhile.  I think that is because I keep adding blogging as a New Year's resolution and most of us know how successful some of those things can be.  This time I will post  to document what I am doing.  I am back in Montreal.  My Winter Self-Time, Fun in the City time.  Eating falafel at La Panthere Verte and walking around until my legs ache and I can barely more while taking photos of this amazing city.  I love the silence of Montreal.  Is is just me?  It is  so quiet here and there are a lot of people around.  My favorite part is that many times, I will find myself alone walking down a street or in the metro and I truly feel like the city is mine.   The  museums are educational and accessible in English and French.

Living: Falling in Love with Montreal

I  went  to  new  heights  during  my  August  trip to  Montreal.  In  July, my  first time back to Montreal in five years,  I saw these  people hanging from wires and walking on wooden planks.  I  thought totmyself at the time, "I need to be brave enough to do that." So in August when I returned suddenly to Montreal,  I  decided  to  try  the  Voiles en Voiles experience  of  walking  through the planks of the Pirate Ship  theme attraction.  I was 13 feet ( not  35  feet  like  the  higher level) above the air attached to a zipline. The  expereience had  its  ups and  downs and  I  saw  many  adults and kids  experience  the struggle  that one  has with  heights  and  trusting the zipline and oneself.  It was definitely a memorable experience. The  summer in  Montreal  was wooing me with the fun, attractions, and beautiful  weather.

living: Montreal, Canada

When I  found  myself, the  second  time  this summer in Montreal, I  decided  that  I  wanted to  see the Cross atop of Mont Royal.  I  kept  seeing it  from a distance  when  I  was  walking  down in the city.  I worked  my  way  back  to  the Chateau on Mont Royal, after sweating and climbing through trails  I newly  explored, I finally  reached it towards the top, the Chateau  that is.  I rested a bit  and  asked  the information desk attendant  for  directions to the Cross.  Ten  minutes up the main path.  I  was  so  close  before.  I  was super  tired  and exhausted, but  that  didn't  matter.  I  came  to see the Cross.  I  walked  on the path  for  8  minutes when I realized,  the  Cross was  close.  I  felt it  and  as I  rounded the corner  there it  was.  There  were about  fifteen  tourists  at the foot  of the Cross; talking and taking a break  from  hiking  up  Mont Royal.  I  joined  them by sitting at the foot of the Cross.    After a few people left,  I took  some photos  and decided that  I was going to  figure out the fastest  way  back down Mont Royal  that  didn't  involve  too  much  walking.  I  did  find it.  The  road  and  the  second overlook of the city.  I really  enjoyed  exploring  this  and  I fell  more in love with Montreal  and  I  want  to  know  more.

living: falling in love with Montreal, Canada

In August, I visited Montreal twice!! It seems to be calling to me, the city. When I was there, I didn't want to leave. So diiferent from where I live now and so much more a city with nature than where I live now. The change in temperature the vibracy of the city and the people had me captivated. The second time I strolled around the streets wandering from place to place. Among the places I came across was Windsor Gare. A train station. Only a few people were there when I walked in. A beautiful and very clean place. I was walking into a historical site of Montreal.  After taking these  pictures and  wandering  around  the  city.  I saw a building in the distance.  I  went  closer  and  saw  that  Gare  Windsor  is  also a Metro.  I  entered  and took a ride.