Surprising Things About Montreal

 

After almost a year of living in Montreal, this city continues to offer some unexpected, quirky insights and delights!

 

Surprising Things About Montreal:

 

Sugar Graphs For Wine

 

The liquor shops, SAQ, present a sugar graph beside the price of a bottle of wine – GENIUS!

With so many people conscious of calories and trying to minimise sugar intake, this graph will now influence many people’s vino buying decisions…

 

 

Places To Sit Or Lounge

 

Rocking chairs are located across Le Plateau, just in case you want to take a break and calm yourself!

Plus other outdoor seating and lounging is provided by council in Spring and Summer.

Montreal makes you feel cared for.

 

 

Recycling

 

The most impractical recycling system known to the developing world!

More than a few bottles takes the bottom out of these light weight recycling bags – and if the bottles don’t rip the plastic, someone looking for paid recyclables will.

 

 

Rashes Of Bacon

 

 

 

When you buy bacon from the charcuterie, this is what it looks like….

Um, where is the meat?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding free, useful things on the street

 

 

My home contains free items: skii’s (OK they were a bit old), a coat rack and a fan.

If not on the street, you will find a useful second hand item at La Chainon on Ave St Laurent.

I kitted out a whole winter wardrobe from this place, plus bought a hairdryer ($7), a vacuum cleaner ($10) and improvised jewellery holders ($6)! Plus La Chainon is a charity organisation which supports Montreal women in need.

 

 

 

Montreal’s “Moving Day”

 

Not only is the concept of a ‘moving day’ strange, it is even more illogical that it is set on July 1, Canada Day.

Unlike Australia, when people move apartments or houses any day of the year, in Quebec there is the phenomenon of July 1, being the day in which most leases commence – and everyone moves.

This means the streets are crowded with removal trucks. Not the best vibe for a National Day!?

Anyway Quebec has their ‘own’ day, La Fête Nationale, on June 24th. So this is the day where Montrealers celebrate their patriotism, without having to carry boxes and move furniture!

 

 

Bikes And Milk Crates

 

A high percentage of Montrealers have used ingenuity, converting milk crates to act as a basket on the back of bikes.

Montrealers like their vintage, creative accessories.

 

 

There is no such thing as a ‘simple’ Spring garden

 

To make up for the lack of life in the winter, a love of all things which grow takes on SERIOUS preoccupation in Spring.

Hence you don’t just have one flower pot – the more the better!