Montreal Musts | Food

I have decided to do a little series of my 'Montreal Musts', or in other words, things that you must do if you ever get the change to visit this wonderful city!  

The first one on my list has to be food.... and boy did I do a lot of 'reserch' for this blogpost!

Montreal is an exorbitant mix of culture, language and rase, and this is very much seen and experienced in the food that can be found here. That being said, it would be truly impossible to pick a favourite, so here are my favourite few that the thought of make my mouth water!

Eggspectations

'yolk around the clock'

An egg-centered restaurant that originates in Montreal that is perfect for any time of day! The food here is reasonably priced and has always been amazing no matter what chain I have been to. There can sometimes be long waits to be seated and served, but this is the perfect brunch destination that will stuff you full until dinner! The sweet potato fries are also a must here!

Thai Express

A hangover/late night class essential. This Thai takeout can be found on most corners in Montreal, as well as other corners in the world. The food is addictive and the service is always fast! prices may vary from point to point and so does the quality but for $7-$10 you can easy get two meals out of this! 

Dunn's 

Another Montreal original, famed for it's Smoked meat (I'm a veggie so I never tried it) this 24h joint is my go to for hangover breakfast. The food is unbeatably CHEAP and with massive portions this place seems to do no wrong! I also visited the Ottawa branch first and fell in love and returned a few times for 'special occasion' breakfast. they even have HP sauce, a wee reminder of home. 

La Banquise 

You can't go to Montreal without trying poutine, and you haven't tried poutine until you have been to La Banquise. Another 24hour restaurant (Montreal is also a city that never seems to sleep) there is no excuse for to try this famous delicacy. They offer a hugh variety of types as well as veggie gravy so everyone can try it! A small tip, even the small portions are massive but you can get to take away at this restaurant.

3 Amigos

If you want a loud and busy atmosphere, look no further than 3 Amigos and their delicious drinks and mexican food. This mexican food chain has great deals on several days of the week and is a great place to start off the night if you are going to party!

 I hope you enjoyed this post... please comment if you have any of your own 'Montreal Musts' in the food department! 

Thats all for now

Sxx

Glaces & Cupcakes Les Glaceurs | Montreal

Hello all!!!!

I swear one of the best things about being an exchange student is eating all the time as if your on holiday, and here in Montreal there is so many amazing restaurants and cafes that you are spoilt for choice!

 A few weeks back some girlfriends and myself decided to go for a wander down by the old port and came across this little cupcake and icecream shop; 'Glaces & Cupcakes'!!

Glaces & Cupcakes | Montreal 

Red velvet, Lemon & Chocolate Brownie

With a choice of cupcakes, macaroons and Ice-cream, as well as one of the most delicious mochas I have had in Montreal (and i've consumed hundreds) This place is indubitably worth a visit if you fancy a quick bite when sight-seeing down in old Montreal!!

Thats all for now

Sxx

Biosphere Montreal | Facing Cuts, Just Like Our Deteriorating Rainforest!?

The Biosphere 

On no... there is a Nuclear Disaster... better go hide in a locker

Conducting Experiments 

My reaction to one super cool experiment... Can you guess what?

A few weeks ago, three friends and myself, headed across the water to Montreal Iconic Dome... The Biosphere. For Those who don't know, The Biosphere is Montreal's very own environmental Museum on the original site of The World Fair Expo '67 and a short metro ride from Downtown Montreal.

In our quest to go to all Montreal's major attraction we headed down there one glorious Friday afternoon for a day of education, culture and most importantly fun... and I was not disappointed. 

This museum, in my eyes, is excellent and one of Montreal's hidden gems! The staff were beyond friendly and helpful and really added something to the whole experience! They are a true credit to this Museum. Even if you are not eco or science mad there is an exhibition for everyone and we easily spent 3-4 hours here and I haven't laughed as much in ages! 

From the interactive machines in ten first hall, really showing the true value of water to the astounding collection of dressed made from recycled material and my personal favourite... getting to conduct our own experiments and dressing up, The Biosphere has perfectly blended education about a serious topic while enchanting its audience cohesively!!

This is why at the end of our trip I was devastated to hear that it was likely that the Museum was shortly to be closed during to Budget cuts!!! 

We are slowly killing our planet everyday and education on the matter is key if we want to slow down the effects... I find it fascinating that in this beautiful city, people will happily pay $100's for a hockey game yet there is not enough money to keep a beautiful Museum up and running!!!!

I would whole heartedly encourage residents and tourists to visit this amazing attraction while you still have the chance as you will really not regret it!!

Sarahxx

 

Spring Break pt.1 | Mont Royal & Juliette et Chocolat

Hello All

Its Spring Break.. WOOP WOOP

So no Cuba for me unfortunately so what better way to spend reading week than doing as little reading as possible and instead, to go out and explore whats on our (slightly more chilly) door step!!

Day One

Strawberry Daiquiris = YUM

So we kick started our Spring Break first by heading to one of our favourite mexican restaurants, even if it is just for the Strawberry Daiquiris - 3 Amigos

Unfortunately since we started drinking at 4pm... we were tipsy and tired by 10pm and called it an early night... We Know how to Party!!!

Day Two

Brrrrr @ Mont Royal

The view from Mont Royal

Mont Royal

Enjoying our tea and Chocolate treats at Juliette et Chocolat

White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake and tropical Green tea

With the sun shining and the temperature being above -10c we thought a perfect we headed up to the top of Mont Royal to see the city and to get some good picture. After our mini hick we stayed on the mountain and headed down towards Le Plateau for a look around the shops and an afternoon tea trip to Juliette et Chocolat. 

Luckily on a Monday afternoon this sought our chocolate shop/ cafe wasn't crazy busy and we got seated right away and started the mammoth task of decided which of all the amazing sounding desserts we were all going to try. The selection at Juliette et Chocolat is incredible; from crepes to brownies, Cheesecakes to ice creams this place had every indulgent chocolate treat imaginable!! Settling on an tropical green tea and a white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake I was not disappointed with my treat of choice... even if the tea pot could have been a little bigger... but maybe thats just because I'm British and can never quite have enough tea!!

The Staff were also excellent and happily let us sit there for around 2 hours without badgering us to leave, something i find common in little places of this nature!

All in all we had a rather enjoyable, if not very demure first few days of Spring Break. But with our own personal St. Laurent pub crawl planned for tomorrow,

watch this space!!

Thats All for Now

Sxx

Igloofest 2013 | Montreal's brrrrriliant festival

I will NEVER complain of the cold again back in tropical Scotland!!! 

This past week has been very cold here in Montreal with average temperatures of -25 C!!! 

And what is the natural thing to do when its this cold.... go to a rave.... OUTSIDE ?!? 

Well last Friday thats exactly what I did! We layered up, got our glow sticks on and headed to downtown Montreal's electronic music fest... Igloofest! tickets were $22 at the door (we got ours for $15 through a group booking) so pretty decent to go see some world famous DJ sets!!

As you entered the snow covered land there was open fired... Ice castles, slides and massive stages for the DJ's! After quickly getting some mulled wine or hot chocolate with Tia Maria (Beer was all frozen) we headed onto to the main stage to see Nina Kraviz and bust a few moves!!!

They also had a small indoor section where you could feast on Poutine and warm up a little as well as a free photo booth!!

This really was quite a crazy experience to go to... but if your planning a trip to the fest... My advice would be go on a weekend where its not -25c.... for me I would have liked to spend more time out dancing but it was just too cold to get my rave on!!!

Thats all for now

Sxx

Swooosh Swoosh Swoo..... Fall!!!

Hey guys!!!!

Mont St. Anne by Night

My sexy floral Ski pants

Mont St. Anne by day

Our Snow covered Villa

Since this is my second and final semester in Montreal I have been making sure to say 'Yes' to everything!! This year I really want to push myself out of my comfort zone and make the most of every opportunity that is thrown in my direction! The first of these challenges came on pretty quickly when I faced not one but 3 of my fears... all in one weekend!!! Yes ladies and Gents... I went Skiing!!!

I may live very close to the highlands in Scotland back home but this has never really been a sport that has interested me... firstly its cold, fast and people get hurt! Secondly I have a HUGH fear of ski lifts and gondolas. I have hated them ever since a young age when we used to go hiking up the mountains up north and I used to cry and cry and be so scared I was going to fall out or not get off it in time!! 

But I thought... Hey, Sarah, You are 22 years old... you are in Canada... you can't not go skiing!!! So I donned my sexy ski pants and took to the slopes... and spent a good 70% of the time on my ass!!! I do have to admit that I loved it!! I could only manage the small really easy slopes because if i gathered up too much speed I didn't like loosing control but it is defiantly something I want to try again when I get back home!

I was with a big group of friends and they were all amazing and very patient with me while I fell down, freaked out and went painfully slow.... but without them I don't think I would of even managed to get on my skis in the first place!!!

Thats all for now

Sxx

Christmas in the City

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

That's just a fact

I am however swamped with Finals so haven't had the time to blog much on the topic

 I have taken a few snaps of Montreal at Christmas time 

enjoy

The Montreal Christmas shop window display

My own little Christmas touch to my bed!!

Update

Hey guys!!

I must apologies for the lack of Posts recently!! I have been really busy moving to Montreal as I am on an International exchange programme to study International Business at Concordia University here! I have arrived safe and sound and have spent the last few days settling in and getting to know my the town!! If you want to hear more about my travels you can read my second Blog HERE

In all the packing I managed to forget one of the most important things.... my Camera!! Until it is sent over I'm afraid this Blog my be a little on the dull side and I will have to use stock photos :(

Hope to have my Camera back soon and be blogging once more!

Thats all for now

Sxx

Travel | Hints and Tips for Educational Tourists!!!

Hello Everyone

Well with exams studied for and passed here was silly old me thinking the hard part was over for my exchange year away!!! ohh how wrong I was!

My last week has been a hectic period wish very little time (and resources) to get a LOT of things done!! So I thought I would write up a blog of Do's and Don't from Exchange Travel so all you budding 'Educational Tourists' can learn from my mistakes!!!!

* DON'T PANIC!!!!

Yes it's scary, and yes there is too much to do but if you already have a list as long as your arm, don't add having a panic attack to that list as you will get less done! If you feel like it's all getting too much, take a step back, breath, evaluate the situation and think about some way to be productive! even if it is something small you will feel better to get one thing done!

(http://errrskate151.deviantart.com/art/Keep-Calm-and-Don-t-Panic-209046971)

* DO Make Lists and PRIORITISE!
By physically writing down what you need to do it can help you visualise  things, once they are written down you don't have to worry about remembering- sounds obvious but it a big help! Also there can be nothing more satisfying than ticking off a list when you have completed a task!! For Particularly busy times of year (like exams  or planning a big trip or event) I like to use Wunderlist... it is an app available on the Apple Store that you can use on your computer. It lets you set tasks, add time date and notes to each task as well as giving you the freedom to rate your tasks on level of importance! I find this App incredibly useful but if you don't have any Apply device to download this App a good old notepad and pen will work fine

(http://developware.com/blog/technology/wunderlist-is-“wunderful-”/)

* DON'T Be Afraid to Ask for Help!!
They say a problem shared is a problem halved so if you are facing a large task don't be afraid to rope in a friend or a member of family to help you out! not only will they be great as someone to listen to you, a second opinion or just someone to read over any important documents is just what your tired brain needs to reduce the possibility of mistakes that you may have over looked!!

* DO Keep your Eyes on the Prize!!!!
In all the stress and confusing forms and documents you may forget what you are doing it for!! If you feel it's not worth it think about all the amazing experiences you are going to have when away.... the weather, the new experiences and friends you will make!! take a few minutes to get your self excited and you will find new motivation for tackling that impossible to understand Visa form!!

(www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g155032-Montreal_Quebec-Vacations.html)

Good luck to anybody that is currently in a similar situation and I hoped this helped!!!

Thats all for now

Sxx