Postcards from Montreal - Day 2

I'm quickly falling in love with Montreal.  There is so much to see, do, and learn.  I love the contrasts of old and new; the different cultures; the architecture; and the people.  I have found the people to be warm and helpful.

Yesterday is going to be hard to top.  It was a fantastic day.  I went to the mall; toured Bombardier and had a fabulous French dinner.  I met wonderful people along the way.

First, the mall...  Eric left me there for the afternoon to explore.  It wasn't so much about the shopping as it was the experience.  I had a great time just soaking it all in and talking to people.  My favorite stop was the Lush store (Lush, the natural bath and skin care line). They weren't busy.  Giselle and another sales clerk pampered me.  My hands, arms and even my hair got pampered while we chatted. I learned new places to visit in Montreal. I asked about Tam Tams on Sunday (sort of a hippy get together every Sunday in the park where people gather to beat out rhythms with their hands on drums and people spontaneously dance).  Unfortunately, it doesn't start until later Spring.  But, they gave me some alternative activities.  They also spent time teaching me some French.  New word for me.  Among other things, I now know that "solde" is sale :)

Next stop Bombardier... AMAZING tour!!!!   It was just Eric, me and Frank.  I got to see how planes are made from the beginning to end.  I don't think anything can top this experience.  By the way, green planes are really green.  It's the primer on the plane before it is painted.

Last stop of the day - the best food I've ever had!  The Gourmand is a small French restaurant. The stone building is 165 years old and was formerly a blacksmiths shop. The waiters were friendly and fun.  They chatted and shared the history of the building with us.  The food was the best I've had.  For starters, I had escargot with chorizo and Eric had a soup with mussels and mushrooms.  Both were great.  My entree was veal cordon blue served over parpadelle with a porcini butter and wine sauce.  The veal was buttered soft and looked more like a schnitzel layered over the ham and cheese.  Out of this world good!!  Eric had beef braised in a curry sauce with a mango chutney.  It looked and tasted like a spicy beef stew with chickpeas and peas with chutney on top.  Fantastic!!

Today -so many things we want to do and so little time.  I'll fill you in later on what today's adventures were after we discover them :)