And Now...The Counterpoint

Ok, so maybe I was a little harsh in my previous remarks on the qualities of this "distinct society" as someone so eloquently put it. Since such sweeping generalizations are full of holes, I'm going to outline some of the more positive aspects of this province.

Residing in Montreal has several advantages. The first of which is that it is the fashion capital of the country. Here, you can find virtually any fashion being showcased around the world and at, for the most part, half the cost! Need jeans with that old faded look? Or the latest in Uggz boots (please don't mistake this for an endorsement for these hideous examples of footwear, I still despise them)? How about those trendy skirts you saw on the runways over in Milan? You can find all of it right here in Montreal.

For those of you with a sweet tooth, you need only find a Cabane a Sucre. These small cabins serve all manner of foods doused in maple syrup. Like ham? Get some dripping in maple syrup. Hell, you can even buy maple syrup candy if you like! It'll rot your teeth like no one's business, but hey you'll be ridin' that sugar high for hours! But sugar ain't the only thing worth eating here. Smoked meat is also a major commodity in Quebec. Your three stops for smoked meat in Montreal are Reubens, Dunns, and Schwartz's. And don't forget to get some strawberry cheesecake at Reubens! It's to die for.

All across Montreal, you will find restaurants to suit every taste, be that italian, greek, chinese, indian, middle-eastern, or polish (among others). Simply search the restaurant guides online and you will be sure to find what you're looking for. Some of my favourite restaurants around town are: Zen-Ya (sushi), Gibby's (steak), Chez Cora's (breakfast/crepes), L'Academie (dinner), Guido & Angelina's (italian), Arahova (greek), and Keung Kee (chinese).

Let's not forget the myriad of bars, pubs, and clubs in Montreal. Major streets in downtown are home to many of the most frequented bars and clubs in the city! Travel down Crescent street for many of the cities themed-events (F1 weekend, Bavaria Beer festivals, St Paddy's Day), or Saint-Laurent for clubs (Tokyo, Pistol, Buena Note), bars (Sophia, Buddha Bar), and cheap pizza (Madonna's 99cent Pizza)! If the hetero scene doesn't suit you, take a stroll down Saint-Catherine's to The Village, Montreal's gay & lesbian neighbourhood. Here you will find popular clubs like Unity II and Sky Bar. There are also smaller bars where you can sit and enjoy a beer among friends no matter their orientation.

On a side note, the people of Montreal are very very liberal when it comes to things like sexual orientation. Drag queens, gays, and lesbians call this city home in a country where the definition of marriage is believed to be something that ought to be defined by those on whom it really has no effect. Being gay is not only accepted, it is also something to be desired in close friends, something I like to call the "Will & Grace" effect (or Justin & Daphne if you watch QaF).

How many of you have been to Las Vegas? And of those, who had the money to pay to see one of the infamous Cirque du Soleil shows? They're pricey, no doubt about it. But if you live here, you can see a new show almost every year since the Cirque du Soleil headquarters are located right here. Le Grand Chapiteau can be found out in the Old Port of Montreal, a bastion of acrobatics and extreme originality. Tickets go for about $75 a pop, but it's well worth it. If you really want to live it up however, pick up some VIP Tapis Rouge tickets, placing you in the front rows and allowing you to drink as much as you want before the show and during intermission.

Montreal is also home to the world-reknown McGill University, one of the leading research universities in all of Canada. Consistently ranking among the top universities of North American, it is considered the equivalent of Harvard University to the south (you can even get t-shirts with "Harvard: USA's McGill" printed across them). Located right in the heart of the city, McGill University has spawned some of the best research work to date, and some very notable professors and scientists too. For example, Ernest Rutherford did much of his key work here at McGill (he was a physicist, for those of you who aren't Science Majors). The buildings reflect the age and history of the constantly evolving campus. New and old buildings are often juxtaposed in an effort to give students and staff alike access to the most up-to-date facilities all the while allowing them access to some of the oldest records on campus.

Most notable among Montreal's highlights are the many churches placed in and around downtown. One of the most famous of these is Jean Baptist's Oratoire, located high atop the famed Mountain. Seen from most of downtown, it is a testament to the faith and strength of belief of the people of Montreal. However it is not the only church, you can find them on many streets, sometimes crowding businesses out of the much needed space. Another major church worth checking out is Notre Dame, situated in the Old Port. This is the church where, like her or not, Celine Dion was married. Its immense size and majesty will blow you away.

The list goes on and on. Montreal is truly a multi-faceted city where you can find virtually anything and where the culture will sweep you off your feet. The only thing I can say is that you ought to come and visit to see for yourself what Montreal is really all about.