Sometimes the act of travel is a joy and sometimes not so much. But arriving is always fabulous.

Canada was meteorologically consistent today. I left Vancouver in overcast-trying-to-drizzle condtions and arrived in Montreal in same. Our multicultural spirit survived the poor weather though. At Vancouver airport, announcements were made in English, then French. Once we took off, the order reversed.

The aircraft was enormous – 10 seats across in Economy class. See the banner photo of this post. And I suspect several other gi-normous aircraft landed around the same time because YUL was seriously bustling. I decided to go trendy and call for an Uber. It turns out that’s not how it works at YUL. You book a trip with your app and get a pin rather than the name and car make of the driver. Then you join the VERY LONG queue and wait and wait while dozens of taxis fly by with happy travellers therein.

I eventually gave up on the Uber line and joined a long taxi line that at least moved. (I think there are just not enough Uber drivers in Montreal to make busy airport pick-ups efficient.) My taxi driver had two questions for me. First – where was I going? Second – would I be paying in cash? When I agreed to pay in cash, he did not spare the horses! Yay! After my Uber/taxi delay it felt well deserved!

Airport security took an interest in my checked bag and opened it. From the repacking, I think they were wondering about my new gimbal head. I’m glad I left it in the box with the instruction brochure so they could rest assured I was not planning anything nefarious. Don’t ask me how it works. I’m counting on Chris to enlighten me!

I am staying at the Hotel St. Sulpice in old Montreal and it is lovely. Chef Rob, who you will hear much more about tomorrow, recommended it. The view from my window could *almost* be in Paris.

The street in the photo offers many private art galleries, several upscale restaurants and a few upscale women’s clothing stores. I’m not sure about this piece of art though.

I noticed on the wine list at dinner that I could order Meiomi pinot noir – a wonderful California wine – by the glass. The menus had not recently been reprinted to remove American wines. It seems we are still punishing US vintners for the sins of their leader. Had to settle for a quite decent Argentinian malbec.

Lots of great things planned for tomorrow. Restez à l’écoute pour en savoir plus. Bonne nuit. 🥱