Feels like old times

It feels just like old times.  I'm in Montreal looking for things to do during the weekend, waiting to come back home.  No difference this trip other than I'm in a hotel and the time to be killed was not anticipated today.

With flight testing delayed until Monday, I had to think of things to do - I needed to make the most out of the nice weather.

The day started with getting breakfast in the hotel and eating it in my room while I read the complimentary National Geographic Explorer in the room.  I then did some work but limited to only an hour and half.  Next, the gym.  It wasn't busy (I'm not surprised).

Empty.  And sunny.

After 5 miles on the bike and some weights, it was time for a shower.  Then, it was a short drive to the Namur park-and-ride to hop on the metro to head downtown.

On the way down into the station

Waiting for my ride

New trains!

Electronic screens

Once downtown, it was time for a short walk to Rueben's Deli for a smoked meat poutine.  I was not disappointed, it was delicious.

No caption needed

This makes me hungry again...

After the bill (facture) was paid, it was time to walk back to the metro station to head to the Old Port.  I went back to the same station I came from, but this time went through Windsor Station to get down into the metro:

Windsor Station

The old jalopy (metro train) 

In order to kill more time than wander the shops at the Old Port, I made my way to the Notre Dame Basilica.  It's been quite a while (9 years) since I've gone inside so I figured what better way to spend some time in the Old Port?

This Notre Dame is narrower than the one in Paris.  And taller.

The alter piece

The organ

Commemorating the building of the Notre Dame

The large, bronze alter piece in the Chapel

Can you see the hidden stained glass window?

I've never been on the tour of the basilica and it started 10 mins after I arrived so the timing was perfect.  Here is some history I learned:

• The basilica was built in 5 years by 250 workers.  Construction finished in 1830.
• The initial planned seating capacity was for 7,000 people.  The final seating is for 3,000.
• The seating is on an gentle declination to promote a theatrical seating arrangement.
• The main organ has 7,000 pipes.
• The alter piece was re-designed to block the large windows which would allow way too much light into the church on Sunday mornings and was too distracting to patrons and the Priest.
• The stained glass windows on the lower level of the basilica portray the history of Montreal, with the last piece showing the Notre Dame being built.
• There is a smaller, more intimate "chapel" behind the basilica.  The chapel partially burned down in 1978 which revealed some hidden stained glass windows that were between two walls of the basilica and the chapel.
• The alter piece for the chapel is made of numerous pieces of brass sheets.  In total, the alter piece weighs over 30 tons.

The tour was pretty cool - definitely worth the $5 admission.

Afterwards, it was a short walk to the Old Port.  I made my way down one of the piers to snap some pictures.

No boats in the harbour

Marche Bonsecours with the tall dome

I realized I had wifi down on the pier (crazy!) but it wasn't good enough of a connection to FaceTime with Lola.  So, she has to wait until I post this blog ;)

At this point, I needed to find a bathroom.  Luckily, there are public washrooms in Marche Bonsecours which was right near by.  After a quick bathroom stop, I wandered through the shops in the Marche.  Then, outside I stumbled across a street festival full of many different shacks selling art, wine, chocolate and of course maple syrup.

Very festive!

As I made my way down the street, I saw that the Habs game was just finishing the second period.  I made my way to 3 Brasseurs to watch the end of the game.

Two beers later, the game was over - Habs won in a shootout.

Ok, so 1.5 beers really

It was time to start to make my way somewhere for dinner.  There was a good rib place beside where I parked the car so this was a good option.  I made my way back to the metro and 30 mins later I was at the restaurant.  

City Hall

Downtown Skyline

An empty metro station

12 minutes later, I was eating.  It's not like it wasn't busy (it was very busy) - service is just that much faster in the bar I guess.  Especially when you are a party of 1.

Wet Naps to clean up after my rib feast

After dinner, I made the short drive back to the hotel and now am watching the Jets game on the iPad.

Luckily I was not stuck in this

Tomorrow is looking to be busy.  My co-worker isn't feeling better so I will handle the flight test and potentially an interior evaluation.  We shall see if I get out of here tomorrow...