Bonjour de Montreal

Well I've made it to Montreal. It is hot here. Not just not, but humid. Currently it's a little after 1 in the afternoon and the outside temperature is 29C and the humidity is 58%. The humidex is 37C. I am typing this from the air conditioned comfort of my room.

I have ventured out today already and I will again later, once I've cooled off enough to go again. I went out for lunch, deciding to walk to Schwartz's, a place for smoked meat that was recommended to me by a Montreal native I met on the train to Toronto. I left the hotel early for lunch since I was uncertain how far away the place was. It wasn't that far, only about a 15 minute walk, so I arrived for lunch at about 11:15. Upon my arrival I noted a few things about the place. First, you don't go there for the ambiance. It's a bit of a hole in the wall, looking very much like a diner with a counter and some tables along the opposite wall. Second, the place was nearly empty except for a few patrons and the staff. Given the reviews I had for this place, I expected more people. Anyhow, I ordered a smoked meat sandwich, a dill pickle and some fries.

My food arrives and it looked good. The sandwich was so stuffed with meat I had to eat it with a knife and fork. The pickle was huge, almost a meal in itself and the fries were also good. Overall the food was excellent, worth the trip. As I left I noted that the place was beginning to fill up with the lunch crowd, so the reviews were right on that account. People were also ordering smoked meat by the pound to take home. I'd recommend a trip here if you're ever in Montreal.

Now Schwartz's is on the Boul. St.-Lauent. From what I've seen this street is lined with hundreds of little cafes and restaurants of every variety. If you have a hankering for ethnic food of any variety, you're going to find it here.

On my arrival yesterday evening, I went for a walk around the neighborhood of my hotel. During my walk I stumbled upon the Just For Laughs Festival. I meandered around it for a few minutes before leaving with a program as I was in the quest for food. I will need to return there this evening, possibly take in a show.

I'm looking at walking towards the old part of downtown south of where I am here, my hotel being close to McGill University and Mount Royal Park. There is a wealth of achitechure here and I'd like to see what else there is before the festival this evening. Hopefully there'll be places along the way where I can duck into and cool down!