We had left our car near the Montreal airport and signed up for a bus tour through a local company, where we would ride around town and they would take us to the airport, and we'd take a shuttle to the park and fly lot. It all worked out perfectly.
We only stopped at 3 or 4 places, the first being the Basilica of Notre Dame, which seats 2500 and whose organ has 7500 pipes. It was built between 1824-29 and is so beautiful inside now. Originally it had far more stone and was uninviting. Later red pine ceilings were added. The altar is really four, with scenes from the Old Testament.
Snippets from guide:
This year is Montreal's 373rd anniversary. Mostly French is spoken here, but anything for the federal government has both English and French written on it. Until 20 years ago it was the largest populated city in Canada, but now Toronto is. 1.9 million live on Montreal Island and the total pop. is 3 million.
The Province of Quebec used Napoleonic law, while the rest of Canada uses English law.
Much cargo comes through here because of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Most is then put on trains which haul 300-400 cars. The St. Lawrence is currently down 5', which means ships can't be fully loaded. The seaway stays open until Dec.
Little French architecture is left in old town.
The US invaded from 1812-1813.
It is a city of skyscrapers, but also old churches, homes, and other buildings. The conference center holds 50,000.
No big industry remains. Car and cigarette manufacturers used to be large employers here. Now the cigarette factory is condos.
Four universities have 200,000 students-50% are foreigners. Most move away after graduating.
18th-19th century it was the largest Canadian port. The first train operated here in 1860. In 1885 it took 9 days to go to Vancouver, and it still takes 5. Chinamen came to build the railroad and there is still a small Chinatown. Many left because they didn't want to learn French to live here.
Growing season is 3 months. Watermelons and other melons are grown, but their thin skin makes them hard to transport.
300 miles of bike paths, though winter lasts 6 months. It costs $12 million for snow removal after a big storm.
Expo was held here in 1967 and the Olympics in 1976. Because of the Olympics, many name brand hotels built. Now 4-5 million tourists come annually. There are 2000 tourist buses in addition to the transit ones. Some streets have bus lanes.
In front of City Hall there was a tall vase made of flowers and several circular flower beds with designs. Small shears are used to keep them short.
The big Sun Life Ins. Co. building was pointed out to us. She said during WWII England's crown jewels were brought here for safekeeping, since this was the insurance agency.
Drove past the HUGE St. Joseph's church, but it wasn't a scheduled stop. It was so gigantic-several buildings that served as a pilgrimage church. Had 2 sets of stairs-1 where the pilgrims would climb the high hill on their knees. Most were from Mexico and Central America. The Vatican sent money to complete it. In 1984 Pope John II said mass to 1 million people there.
Passed St. Patrick's Basilica served the Irish who came over to build canals here in the 1800's.
Drove past a Catholic church, which is a copy of St. Peter's in Rome. The Catholic Irish were sent to live in areas where the French Catholics lived because the Protestants didn't want them near them. There are 450 churches on the island. We passed one which now only has 40 congregants. Concerts are held there often. A lot of very old money is still given to keep their doors open.
A large cross stands on a hill. Though there have been many different ones, one has stood on the hill since 1643.
Downtown is full of skyscrapers. Old buildings were torn down. Now there are rules to keep more of the old intact. The first one was built in 1964-48 stories with the first underground mall in Canada.
Now there are 25 miles of underground businesses.
A lot of seniors are moving here for the services, but the nursing homes cost more than their pensions, so they are kept in hospitals.
Old convents have been converted to coops and apartments. In the 1700's many orphan girls aged 10-12 were sent to Montreal by the French king to be taught reading, writing, cooking, and cleaning by the nuns so they could become farmers' wives.
The old GE stove factory is an indoor soccer field. Canadian Pacific railroad engines are repaired in yards we passed.
The city is replacing all sewer systems and water hydrants downtown The old ones were installed 4' deep and the freeze level is 6', so many are breaking.
For many years there was no French newspaper. The population was told they would hear all they needed to hear from their priests. The English Gazette started in 1787 and is still printing.
Large stone office buildings used to be homes of the very wealthy. Later we went through a subdivision called West Mount, which has houses that cost multi-millions. One was built by a man who made his fortune selling Seagrams to Americans during the Prohibition.
Quebec Province produces a lot of electricity-produced as hydro in the northern part.
16% sales tax, with half going to the Federal govt.
During cholera epidemics people were buried "way out" of the city. Now this cemetery hold 1.2 million graves!
This Olympics stadium was built in 1976. The roof doesn't work and the cost to repair it is $1 billion, which the city can't afford. The last team to play there were the Expos baseball team, which has left.
The bus dropped us off at the airport. I definitely am getting a cold. I was chilled in all the public areas of the ship and then was cold and had wet feet yesterday in Quebec.
Drove to Albany, NY. The trees are so pretty along the highway.
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