12/13/24: “The Night Before”
I have to say, it has been a long time coming for my vacation. I have been so burned out from the stress of both a full time school and work schedule. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this. I started “bedrotting”. It was a severe burnout. Today was the first day I have off from work and school. I am feeling confident about my finals and I should get one more paycheck before I get back. Thus today was a rest and relaxation day dedicated to myself, my suitcase, and getting my fun plans in order.
Tomorrow is when my trip starts. I am so excited. This is the 4th country I have visited outside of the United States. This is the first time I am trying out a blog format. I am hoping for some success there. It’ll be nice to journal this in a place thats beyond my private journal. Good night.
12/14/24 “Flight To Montreal”
The day has finally come!!! After getting to the airport and being checked in. I kinda had a binge eat at the Nashville Airport. Sushi, maple cream donuts, and an apple fritter. As I am still dealing with my cold, I am also chugging all of the water, Gatorade, and Powerade I can find. As well as Excedrin and Advil. However its been progressively getting better.
My layover was in Detroit, Michigan. Say what you want about the state of the city of Detroit. Or its stereotype of being a dump. However since I’ve never stepped foot outside of the airport, I cant comment on that. However the airport was very nice. It was designed in a way that is very unique. The concourse and express tram was together and the tunnel had a very neat lightshow.
Getting inside of the airport though was a hassle. The taxi took a very long time and the jet ramp had difficulties. However despite the 30-40 minutes that took after landing. I finally got in…and my gate was on the other side of the airport. I had 20 minutes to get to my gate…and it took 20 minutes. On top of a necessary bathroom trip after all of the fluids. But I’d rather feel like crap on vacation then feel like crap alone at home. That being said…I made it. I also got to enjoy a comfy first class ride on both, as my mom and stepdad’s business is going very well and i’m proud of them.
I made it to Montreal after an abnormally speedy flight. My first seat partner was very nice, we both watched our #1 Tennessee beat Illinois. My second seat partner was very nice however got more and more chatty and almost annoying after a few drinks. However as I got to Montreal, I deplaned, walked a bit of a distance through customs, made it through pretty quickly, met my mom and stepdad, took an Uber to our Airbnb, and I finally passed out after struggling in a new bed for a bit.
12/15/24: “First Full Day in Montreal”
Today was a day of new experiences. I’ve finally visited every non island nation of North America, I’ve experienced a French region for the first time. I got to try some new foods. Montreal rivals New York in bagels. St-Viateur is known as one of the best bagel restaurants in the world. It beats Einstein Bros any day.
I also visited the Underground City. A huge labyrinth of malls spanning miles with several floors downtown. The scale is massive. I also got a Montreal Canadiens jersey for the game I’m going to on Tuesday.
Do not underestimate the spice of foods in Montreal. I swear I had the spiciest ramen of my life. I had to take a drink of water after every single bite.
12/16/24: Exploring Downtown Montreal
I got to explore the underground city today. I feel as though despite the amount of times I got lost, I can find my way through today. One of the problems of Montreal at Winter Time is that it gets dark very very early. At 4:10ish this time of day. So in order to get back home, I have to figure out how not to get lost.
Montreal also has a subway system. Obviously not to the same extent as the London Underground or the U-Bahn. But it is a good one for a city of its size. Nashville has none at all and the Nashville Metro is as big as Montreal by itself. Some stations are a bit dirty, however they are safe. Regretfully the big train station named Gare Centrale is a very ugly building. For a city that is considerably the most European like city in North America…It looks more like its from the eastern half.
I also dabbled into some more Asian Food…It is incredibly spicy still.
12/17/24: Canadiens
Today I continued to travel across much more of the Underground City. There have got to be at least 3-4 malls connected by a series of tunnels which themselves have shops and restaurants. As well as the train station.
However today was a big day for my sports fandom. Many people already know I have my favorite NHL team being the Predators. However I need a “Canadian Favourite” NHL team. Thus I have chosen the Montreal Canadiens. A team that currently isn’t much better than mine…however they play hard.
I watched them play today against the probable worst team in the league that is not mine…as this was the 11 straight losing streak Buffalo Sabres. Their fans are as dumb as they are…perhaps from severe and permanent brain damage from jumping through tables at Buffalo Bills games. Thus…the Montreal Canadiens won 6-1.
12/18/24: Old Montreal and Mount Royal
Todays primary focus was Old Montreal. This specifially is why Montreal is known as the most European like city in North America and perhaps even the New World. The entire neighborhood looked like it was out of Europe. It even had its own Notre Dame. Coincidentally enough. I came here when the one in Paris, France was just refinished from its disaster. The Montreal Notre Dame was actually also under renovations.
There are all sorts of cool shops and restaurants there too. I visited a rubber ducky shop and had lunch at a poutine shop as well.
Today’s secondary focus was the Mount Royal Park. A large hill situated within the center of Montreal. It is actually the English translation for Montreal as it is named after said hill. I walked all throughout Montreal and took several subway stops and walking all throughout town to navigate not just this, however the distance to the Mount Royal Subway Station and the walk back home which was each a 40 minute walk.
12/19/24-12/21/24: Extreme Cold
It honestly got so cold. I chose to stay inside, or if I did leave, I never left Mile End (The name of our neighborhood), the subway, or the underground city. I generally spent this time packing or being productive so I don’t fall behind on things when I get back home.
Things to note. Sometimes that subway station gets packed, and your pretty much forced to stand on the subway. All of the stops are in French…you might miss your stop because of the French pronunciation. Luckily all of the people get off at Berri UQAM. So by around that time…you may find a seat. Sometimes I get a little nervous that the words being spoken around you are the French (Canadiens) mocking you.
12/22/24: Flight Back To The US
Although I am sad to leave…there are other plans for my Christmas. Perhaps I will come back in the summer. I’m planning internships, I’m planning a potential study abroad. However somehow someway I will be planning around the future and coming back here. I got all sorts of new merch from Montreal. Overall it was a very fun experience. I guess like the French say…
Au Revior!!!
-Kaie T
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