We woke up at 6. We went to the hotel lobby at 6:45. We board the bus at 6:50 and we were waiting for this couple of idiots who went to the nearby subway to get breakfast. They were waiting in line for the order and would not leave without it. So the whole bus was waiting for them. This put everyone in a grouchy mood. Bad omen appeared again.
The rising of the wind blew away a lot of interest. We were going to walk to the restaurant yet the chill deterred us from loitering around.
The restaurant was situated right be the river bank with the custom building perching from a platform. This building was constructed with steps that led directly into the river. When the tides rolled in, the steps would be soaked. The restaurant building was separately constructed and it had a balcony that overlooked the river bank. It was dark and we could not see much of the river yet there were customers sitting outside with candle lid tables and enjoying their meal.
We did our usual tourist thing of visiting the Notre Dame Basilica, St Joseph Oratory and the Big O Olympic stadium. The weather was turning miserable. It was foggy and wet. We took the cable car and went to the top of the Big O and we could not see anything when the fog patches were so thick. It was disappointing.
Then things took a different turn on our way to Quebec City.
Click here for Episode 1
Our hotel is on Sherbrook Avenue. Sherbrook Avenue housed a lot of brand name stores. McGill University is also on Sherbrook. The main street St. Catherine Street is just a couple of blocks away. The location was good. The hotel was decent. The street was already dark when we settled in. We could not venture outside for too long. It took 2 cabs and a van to transport us to the restaurant.
The restaurant is inside an office building. There is a space between buildings and the restaurant built a terrace joining the outside wall of the 2 building. They add canopies to shield the sun and keep the rustic outside concrete walls of the buildings exposed. Shrubs and greenery were brought in and the atmosphere was soothing and relaxing. It was dark and we could not sit outside, so we retired to a main dining room.
Episode 9 – Seville – home of fan language
Group Flamingo Dancing
Seville has rather hilly roads which had not discouraged the walking tourists. The town is also rich in its own culture, customs and festivals. When you got a good thing, every city claims to be its inventor. Such is the case for flamingo and Jamom (the ham). Seville is not any different than any other place. It also claims to be the origin of flamingo. We all got absorbed by the intensity of this dance form. The little suggestive gestures from the hands, the constant gazing of the eye, the rich costumes that enhance every bit of the fluid body movement, commands a total stranger of this art like me for deep admiration. The music is hot. The crowd is steaming. Just pass the wine and I do not think I will make it home to-night. Continue reading
Episode 8 – Gibraltar – A Gem at Sea
We read about Gibraltar when we were young and it was difficult to image great general like Napoleon would fight over this piece of rock. When we went up the hill and looked down, Gibraltar is such a military strategic point since it can reach Spain, Portugal and Africa within a short distance. The rock is the perfect guard controlling the passage way between Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Cave Scene
This is a cute little island. It is its own country now. Banking and tourism remain the strongest industry it has. We finally reached this island after a long coach ride. It is very interesting to observe 2 different languages spoken at the custom office. The English on the island are boastful, loud and very outspoken. We turned our attention to sightseeing. Continue reading
Episode 7 – The worst invention of all times
The traditional coffee made in an urn is facing extinction. Coffee is supposed to be consumed hot. The best coffee remains as the fresh brewed coffee. Then the experts say the flavour and taste of coffee will react reversely with time. It will be excellent condition if coffee can be brewed fresh every single time. This is difficult to monitor. It becomes a rivalry between convenience and taste. So there is machine which can brew different varieties of coffee in single portion on demand.
The morning call was at 6. The coach departs at 7:30. I and the other 200 people rushed down to the hotel dining room for breakfast. I need my morning coffee to kick-start the motor. The good old reliable huge coffee urn which could feed hundreds of people could not be found. There was a box with buttons resembling a desktop computer surrounded by cups and saucers. It took at least 30 seconds to brew a single cup of coffee. Continue reading
Episode 6 – Granada – Vacation Land
Alhambra (*)
This part of Spain is reaching the Southern part of the country. There are major vacation land close by. Beaches are frequent and many. The population of the small towns along the coast had been ballooning up for the past 10 years or so. The area along Costa del Sol had been very popular. Vacation home flourished. The entertainment and hospitality industries grow by leaps and bounds. The Spanish people are still taking things rather easily. There are some major tall buildings and shopping centers but they paled in the pace of North American development.
The most famous sightseeing area belongs to Alhambra which is a palace built with strong Moorish influence. Together with the Generalife Garden and the Royal palaces could employ your whole day of Excursion. Continue reading
Episode 5 – Valencia
Mucia is the orchard for Spain. It has perfect weather for all kinds of vegetation, especially for citrus fruits. The most famous fruit is the orange. Valencia oranges are famous all over the world. There is a variety called Valencia blood orange which is used more for jams and preserves. Lately there is a big interest in growing rice.
When you visit Europe, there are a few things that are so much in common. You have to be prepared to visit Cathedrals. These old buildings all have their own unique styles. Close by the cathedrals are always some piazza (town square). A town square is a place for people to meet, exchange gossips and information, and to gather. All activities are branched out from town squares. Education institutes, parks and recreation areas, markets and business areas can never by too far away. Always remember the word of Santa Cruz which is “Holy Cross”. This name is so commonly used; you will find it almost in every town. Continue reading
Episode 4 – Barcelona – A City You Can Fall in Love With (III)
Old Town
When you are in Barcelona, do not forget about La Rambla – the street where action is. Do spend some time to go through the narrow streets around that area and you will run into some pleasant surprise.
Off the side streets of La Rambla is an older part of town – namely ‘Old Town’. There are numerous hostels and inexpensive hotels within that area. You will constantly see youngsters entering and exiting these buildings with their luggage on wheels. Some of them travel with just their back-packs. This reminds me of the 70s when university students wanted to explore the world. They would take a year off school and travelled in Europe for the experience. A lot of them travelled light and they chose the most inexpensive way of travelling – thumbing – hitchhiking. It is exciting so long as you watch out for danger. Those days are long gone now, but the basic explorer spirit still lives on in the younger generation. Continue reading