Our first day in Montreal

We got to Montreal last night at 11:30, made our way through customs, found the luggage, stood for thirty minutes in the taxi line, and finally stumbled into Le Petit Hotel around 1:15. Peter, the poor little guy working the late shift, dragged our back-breaking suitcases up the few steps into the foyer, wheeled them down the hall and into the elevator and to our room where there are six steps up from the door to the room.  I was afraid Peter was going to have a hernia or a heart attack but he graciously managed and we rolled into bed around 2:30 AM.

So today was a relaxed day, just as I had planned it.  We missed breakfast but I crept down for coffee and we were on the street at the crack of noon.  The beautiful Notre Dame Basilica is just a few blocks but we had lunch first at a charming little bistro nearby called Modavie (which I assume to be a French bastardization of Way of Life), recommended by cute Matthew at the front desk after Tom told him he was craving a steakfrites.  Just like Paris according to Beloved and I had salmon so we were both happy.  

The Basilica--NOT a cathedral as the cab driver had rather rudely informed us on our late night drive from the airport--is one of the most beautiful we have seen, perhaps second only to the Cathedral in Albi, France which dates to the 13th century and is literally covered in vibrant religious art on the inside, some of it restored but basically the original in spirit and design.  This Church is also richly decorated with intricately carved vaulting and statues, a ceiling painted in rich primary tones, and lighting which enhances all of it to breathtaking effect.  By the way, in case you're interested, a cathedral is the designated seat of a Catholic Diocese chosen by the bishop of a given metropolitan area, while a Basilica is a papal designation based on some architectural, religious or historical importance.  St. Peter's in Rome is a basilica, not a cathedral.  Basilicas are strictly Catholic, while a Cathedral can be any number of denominations.  Twelve years of Catholic school and I never learned that.

While we were visiting Notre Dame, busy but not overly crowded, an organ recital was in progress.  The soaring vaults boomed with the deep resonant tones of a virtuoso organist. In deference to the setting, no one clapped between pieces, but when the artist played his last note, the crowd burst into spontaneous applause. Truly a spiritual experience to awe the most jaded of sight-seers.

Approaching Notre Dame Basilica from the back.

This picture doesn't begin to capture the beauty of this magnificent church.  It's worth Googling.

A charming charcuterie in the Vieux Montreal neighborhood.  Such a mouth-watering array of fruits, veggies, meats and pastries of all kinds. 

The square in front of Notre Dame Basilica 

And sweet Tom on the streets of Old Town

We're back from dinner now at a superb little Greek restaurant recommended by Matthew, one of our several attentive desk clerks, and I'm so relieved that this actually posted after many moments of angst.  There is some partying going on in the street but the bed is so comfy that even I will sleep anyway.