November 30: In the Big Apple

Oh what a fabulous week! 

Here are some of the highlights (in semi-chronological order):

• Buffalo “chicken” sandwich at Champs vegan diner
• Louboutins and more at the Killer Shoes exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum
• Comparing margherita pizzas at Lombardi’s and Roberta’s
• Watching the huge balloons go by at the Macy’s parade (my favourite: Snoopy)
• Eating the most sublime grilled cheese I’ve ever put in my mouth at Bouchon, followed by their take on the Oreo cookie—I’d be a happy soul if I could eat like this every day!
• (American) Thanksgiving dinner at “home” with cousins including a tasting session of Vosges exotic truffles
• Watching the kitchen staff concentrating on noodle prep at Cocoron
• Trying pies next door at newly opened Petee’s Pies, with Bellocq’s Etoile de l’Inde tea as chaser
• Seeing funk icon George Clinton perform at B.B. King’s
• Walking the newly extended High Line
• Sipping hot chocolate at Jacques Torres
• Meandering through Greenwich Village
• Finding on sale the Marimekko duvet cover I’ve been coveting
• Savouring the orange blossom cream hazelnut doughnut from Doughnut Plant, followed by a hot-out-of-the-oven bialys from Kossar’s next door
• Brunch at Locanda Verde—this meal will go down as one of the most memorable brunches—fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes, apple cider doughnut, baked eggs
• Dinner at Toloache with my New York friends along with a very yummy chocolate cake—they counted wrong and put only 3 candles on top…
• Wandering through the Met’s Madame Cezanne exhibit and more

What a wonderful way to celebrate life and this milestone.  Of course, what made it most special were the friends and family who were able to join me in New York along with the many well wishes received. 

Thank you all for making this such a memorable occasion.

November 23: Signed, sealed, and delivered

Item on my bucket list:  see Stevie Wonder in concert.  When I received notice of his 6-city tour, I did some scheduling acrobatics to ensure that he and I were in the same city for one of the dates. 

It was a treat to see him in person.  But like other evening shows of late, I managed to sleep through a good part of the show.  No fault of Mr. Wonder…  I have managed to sleep through some pretty loud concerts and gripping storylines of late. 

I did wake up for the 15 minute finale, which was the best part of the show (at least for me—couldn’t really give details of the other 3 hours).

November 16: Off season in Charlevoix

Kathy calls me, “Do you want to take a road trip to Charlevoix?”  I had planned to stay put in Montreal.  But going to Charlevoix is almost staying put. 

This UNESCO protected area is only a five hour drive away.  The region is most alluring when crowned in autumn hues.  But off-season visits have their own charm—no crowds, no ferry line-ups, no traffic jams.  Thanks to Kathy’s travel agent discount, we stay in style at the Fairmont Manoir Richelieu.  Malbaie is like an old dame—all old world charm, welcoming summer visitors for years, including U.S. president Taft.  Baie Saint Paul on the other hand, is an extrovert, unafraid to show its colours and whimsy.  Artists have been taking up residence here for years—A.Y. Jackson and Clarence Gagnon, among others.  The first Cirque du Soleil performance was held in town.

Local art and artisans are highly promoted and lauded.  They go far beyond the tableaux.  Laiteries Charlevoix and Dufour offer some excellent cheeses, served on chewy ciabattas and airy croissants from nearby Chacun Son Pain bakery and washed down with Pedneault's iced apple cider.  Île aux Coudres' sugar pies are decorated with cinnamony swirls. 

We are lucky.  Belugas and whales are spotted where the Saguenay fjord meets the St. Lawrence River.

I see autumn colours not on the rolling Charlevoix hills, but rather on a captivating Sacha painting of Montreal laneways.  I found my souvenir of this short but memorable interlude.

Nov 9: Breaking down barriers

I walk by Montreal’s fragment of the Berlin Wall, appropriately placed along what was the original fortifications of the Montreal.

I remember the day 25 years ago when my German classmate ran into the room shouting excitedly, “They are tearing down the wall!” Incidentally, that occurrence took place in nearby McGill University. 

November 2: Staycation

Such a rarity for me:  I am staying put for a couple weeks. I play tourist in my new hometown with a 3-day museum pass. Inadvertently the days are themed: day 1 for history and archaeology, day 2 for flora and fauna, and day 3 for art and architecture. 

Marguerite Bourgeoys museum: 

This museum is dedicated to the first female in Canada to be canonized by the Catholic Church, of minimal interest to a protestant.  However, the museum surprises.  Besides the stunning view afforded by a 69 step climb into its belfry, I tour the recent archaelogical dig under Notre Dame de Bonsecours with finds that are 2 millenia in age. 

The Biosphere is housed in the Buckminster Fuller designed dome for Expo 67. 

Not to be confused with the Biodome, which is in the Velodrome from the 1976 Olympics.  The Biodome provides a relatively natural habitat to a sloth, lynx, and beaver.  I relax on a beanbag in nearby Planetarium watching the pseudostars float by.