Arrival in Montreal

I thought hard about whether to begin my Canada rail journey in Montreal or Toronto. Against was the fact that the Canadian departs Toronto heading westwards to Vancouver so Montreal was not a requisite stop. For was a friend in Montreal who I am unlikely to meet again in life, given that I'm unlikely to visit Canada again. In the end I decided to take the Montreal stopover and ride Viarail from Montreal to Toronto.

Montréal–Trudeau airport was unremakable. The last time I was in Montréal, Mirabel was the international airport, and I see that it was only for a period. I caught the shuttle bus to the city, getting off near the Saint-Lo hostel.

Montréal instantly reminded me of New York with its wide avenues, but especially the tarmac cracked by ice in winter. The last time through I saw mostly the old city which is more charming than the modern one.

Looking for dinner, I happened upon a hamburger joint that offered poutine, a Quebec specialty. I'm willing to eat most things once, and I don't think I'll hanker to try it again. Not that it was hard to stomach, but I just don't feel that curds go with fries.

I had forgotten that in Canada, like the US, taxes are in addition to the menu price, varies by province, and a tip is expected if served at a restaurant.

On the way back I stopped at a supermarket to get some bottled water. Canadian prices are higher than Australian prices which in turn are above European prices.

The hostel was good but I like more privacy these days. It was again the high prices that made me opt for hostel accommodation in Montréal and Vancouver. In Toronto I had no choice but an expensive Airbnb. On the Canadian I had a sleeper bunk and it was all prepaid.