Je prends..

Jeesh, we finally did it. Visited some of the cafes and bars we had been meaning to check out (at least some of them). We don't have to go home thinking 'that place looked really nice, too bad we never had time to go there'. Well some of the places we went to were quite horrible and some very awesome. I must say that even though going through these was exciting, it was hard work and tiring too haha 

The first place Fruits en Folie (Rue st-denis/roy) we went to was No.2 on Lonely Planets list 'things to do in Montreal'. The place resembled a 'ruokala' from a hostel or an elderly home, smelled like grandma, waitress looked like from Jersey Shore, crowd 40+, sticky menus. However, TV was showing a bear documentary, that was nice. Yogurt with fresh strawberries and mysli was goood! 

Second place was called La Maison les Cyclists, (Rue Rachel/Parc la Fontaine) you can't go wrong with a cafe specialized in bikes and biking. The place looked super cute from outside, nice chalkboard menus in front of the door and warm, since it was starting to be a bit rainy. The Chai was too strong, the muffin old, and the berry pastry made of dates (huge disappointment). The waiter recommended to visit St. Catherine street, thanks for the advice! Never again. 

At this time we had been quite disappointed with the cafes so far, so we decided to choose a wildcard before we went to have lunch. We chose Folies (Mt. Royal metro). The first impression was 50s furniture, Charlie Chaplin playing on tv, turquoise and purple color scheme, open kitchen, Jack Johnsson playing and a nice chatter from the young stylish crowd. The drinks we took were refreshing (limonade & berries) and the bathroom looked like inside a submarine. At some point the tvs were playing surfing movies. However, this was more of an evening place than a cafe we were searching for. 

It was about 3pm when we left for lunch. We were quite hungry, so the next place Aux Vivres (St. Laurent/Villeneuve) a vegan restaurant seemed like a good option. Mm the place smelled like oranges and carrots and the look was mint-green and orange walls mixed with wood. Fake birds and chinese lanterns was an, well, interesting touch. The food was quite alright, my Chili was absolutely delicious but didn't like the spices on the dahl soup. We didn't feel like hanging out there more than just eating lunch, so we were off to our next destination. 

This next place Juliet et Chocolat (Laurier) was definitely Natalie's pick. I'm not too fond of chocolate but wanted to give this a try. It had started Montreal-raining a while ago, so being soaked it was nice to go inside in this cozy looking place. It was all right, old rich people kept coming and going, the decor was Pentik, the raspberry cheesecake I had tasted like it had been sitting for a day and it was quite expensive. But Natalie's rich brownie with caramel sauce was yummmy! 

After all that sweet stuff it was time for a beer. We had chosen a local microbrewery called Dieu du Ciel (Laurier/St. Laurent), which had been recommended to us couple of times. Ah this was a really nice place! We picked two different blonde beers, which turned out refreshing and tasty. Big plus on the candles on the table and a sneak peak into the actual brewery. Jazzy music + dj !  I would visit again and recommend this place. 

It was only around half past six when we were on our way to the next place. So we decided to choose another wildcard, this time Plan B (Mt. Royal), a place that we've been walking by almost everyday. This place looks realy cozy from the outside but the interior is surprisingly plain and modern. Not as atmospheric as I had imagined all this time. Two ciders and a small jar of roasted almonds later, we quickly left to the final venue. This place was a bit of a let down and there's not too much to write about it. 

The final place Billy Kun (Mt. Royal) was awesome. High ceiling, candles inside the walls, stuffed ostrich heads across the walls and live piano and guitar duet. We've been wondering when walking by this place would there ever be any room to sit, since it had always appeared really full, but the place was huge inside ! We got a glass of white wine and a czech cocktail, together with nachos. A must visit before we leave from Montreal.

Below some photos from our little cafe hunt! Right now christmas music, super breakfast-brunch with fresh baguette, cheese, fruits, berries, tea, black-out cupcakes and hanging out in the kitchen. Yay 21 days 'til christmas !! 

Fruits en Folie

La Maison les Cyclists 

Folies

Folies

Aux Vivres

Juliet et Chocolat

Dieu du Ciel 

Plan B

Billy Kun 

Quebec.

Last weekend a visit to Quebec, nice little snow storm and a cute little tourist city. It was really nice to actually see a lot of snow and a real winter! Sounds a bit like at home. Heres just a little sum of our trip..

 

www.askiski.com

SKIDAY No.1

Winter finally arrived to Montreal! Even though I haven't seen the first snow falling on the ground, the signs are everywhere. Yesterday was the first day to hit real minus degrees and today we enjoyed a clear blues skies with about -5C. Perfect. 

Perfect day for skiing as well.. well. This is how it went. I heard from one friend that one of the local skiing places called Mt. Saint Sauveur had opened yesterday and they were going. After couple hours a nice picture shows up on facebook of them skiing and start to play with the idea of going to this mountain as well. So at brunch on Saturday morning (everyone a bit hungover from the exchange gala the previous night) I suggested this skiing trip to my friends and they got really excited. After little planning that evening we decided to hit the slopes the next day. 

We get to the bus terminal this morning at 7.50 and realize that the bus to the mountains leaves at 7.50! (Even though in the internet it said 8.00, liars) Anyways the driver tells us that we're in a big hurry but go buy some tickets, and get on the bus. So we run, wait, buy tickets, run, sit on the bus, bus leaves. Ahh the feeling of sitting in the bus and barely making it felt pretty nice. After 1.5 hours we are standing at the village of St. Sauveur looking like the biggest ski groupie tourists, asking some local skiers how we are supposed to get to the mountain.

So I was really excited about this day at skiing, I had seen pictures of this long nice slope(s) from the opening day, prayed for my knee, checked the weather, gotten my ski gear ready last night, in other words I had quite high hopes and expectations for this first skiing experience in Canada. Things don't always turn out as you want them to. Here is a list of things that went wrong with today: 

1. Almost missing the bus. 

2. They only had one icy 'expert' run, so one of us could then not ski, but was suggested to visit the souvenir shop, fun

3. We paid 37 dollars for rental equipment + 40 dollars for a day pass - mm I say a rip off? A full price with only this one slope open. 

4. The rental guy thought I was Russian "Thats so awesome that you can speak three languages, English, French and Russian. You're Russian right? Right, I mean you have a Russian accent". 

5. I love rental skis, these were Atomic 'Easy to learn'. First they were offering us 145cm skis..saying 'the shorter the easier'. I don't know why they wouldn't believe we had actually skied before

6. Skiing on that slope with those was actually scary! I was truly fearing for my knee. very uncomfortable. very wobbly on those icy bits.  

7. Amelie looses her phone during the day - we searched, not found. 

8. I get hit on the head with my own helmet, a headache follows

9. The bus home was late

10. Did I mention that this whole day cost about 100 euros + tax? 

However, I think because of these little mishaps this is probably one of the funnest days I've had a in a long time. Thanks girls ! Next time its gonna work out for everyone :) 

montreal yellow pages.

One of the best things I know is getting mail. A postcard, package, a letter, whatever, is so exciting . Thanks Noora, I loved your card <3

Winter and snow, winter and flu. I hate being sick. Especially now when there are so many things happening around and the last few weeks in your hands. These days pass by too fast, and you want to make most out of them. However, maybe taking it easy for couple days isn't so bad after all. I'll get my course work done, I can focus on french, learn something about photography amongst other things I haven't had time to do.

We interviewed a cafe called Santropol for one of our classes. This place is a old bohemian cafe in the heart of the Plateau, and meeting the owner was pretty interesting. We ended up spending about 4 hours listening to them storytell about the life in the plateau and history of the cafe from the seventies. I loved how their 'supply chain' was based on 'hippies helping out other hippies' as well as how the menu was originally founded from a depression era cookbook. Anyways, the owner had also made a series of Montreal guidebooks called the Montreal Yellow Pages. 

Saturday a bunch of us went to see Johnny Flynn at the Cabaret du Mile End. I would have to say it was one of the best gigs I've seen. Amazing voice (+looks) and the feel and vibe of the place made it very memorable.

Now some case study and soon school .

Mail from Göteborg, thankss

Bits of NewYork.

Johnny Flynn

Last week was a wake-up call for me. I realized that I only have about 5 weeks left of my exchange before I go back home. Its time to talk less and do more. Inspired by this me and Natalie decided to go on a little adventure. We left Montreal with a local bus and got off at a little town. Originally the aim was to find a place to go trail riding, but we never found one. Instead we met two local girls who spent the rest of the afternoon by taking us to their house and later to a chocolate factory! These things rarely happen in Finland. 

It was also pretty cool to find out that our school has a group called  VIDA (Vivre Intensement D'Aventures!). This is a group of students interested in action sports. Tomorrow they will be showing Eye Trip, skimovie at our school! Looking forward to that.

+ Next weekend Johnny Flynn at the Cabaret Mile End!

GREYHOUND ADVENTURE

Whoa, I had no idea that greyhounds could have internet!? We"re right now sitting with Natalie on a night bus to Montreal. 43 Minutes down, 7 hours 57 minutes to go. I love the hour stop at Albany, where you have to get out of the bus in the  middle of the night and sit at the bus terminal"s benches. After that, in about three hours you get  to the border where you also have to get out to get your passport checked out, and in the worst case take all your luggage out of the bus as well (4.00 am).  


Getting to this particular bus wasn"t a very certain thing and caused some unnecessary panic. We were wise and bought "reserved" seating tickets for 5 dollars, which basically secured a seat for us in the NY-MTL bus. It also allowed us to show up at the terminal only 20 minutes prior to the departure (not hours before). 


Well, it sounds quite nice until you come to the bus when they"re already filling them up and one of them is already full. You get a super pissed off lady checking tickets who is basically saying "its not my problem that you miss the bus, get to the end of the line". Haha, she also said that "We're in NY and things don't work the same way here as they do in Montreal". Thats quite true. 


Now movie. Thanks Ana for a great trip!