Montreal's Cast of Characters
Is Montreal Canada's happiest city? I have wandered a lot of streets in a lot of different cities in my life and I have never encountered so many happy surprises. Indeed the city does have a "joie de vivre" that doesn't exist in other cities, or perhaps it is just the Holiday (Happy) Season.
After wandering the streets of the city for the past 10 days Montreal has become my happy place. I thought Portland and Austin were happy places, but Montreal wins hands down with its crazy cast of characters and shops.
I am not just speaking of the people, who indeed seem to be happy even in winter when it is snowing but also the many man-made characters I encountered as I wander Montreal's Rues and Avenues.
I hope these photos will convey to you how Montreal's sense of fun and surprise combine to create a happy sense of place.
I found this character at the Christmas Market at the Convention Centre. I believe he/she might be a costume from the Nutcracker ballet as this was Les Grands Ballets' Nutcracker Market with benefits going to the Nutcracker Fund for Children.
These fun characters sit on top of the entrance from St. Catherine's Street to Montreal's Underground City.
Found a wall of these portraits in the lobby of the Concordia University building while shopping at their pop-up Christmas Market. They captured my off-the-wall imagination.
This fun character is from the world's largest Barbie Doll collection exhibition located in Montreal's Underground City.
This guy was keen to ham it up when I asked if I could take a photo.
I am not sure if this mythical character is throwing a football or a baseball or perhaps just getting ready to work at Jeans Jeans Jeans.
These hipster heads brought a quick smile to my face. Montrealers love their winter hats and scarfs.
I was gobsmacked by the amazing murals tucked away in alleys and the back of buildings everywhere in Montreal. I love the DIY outdoor art gallery they create.
Loved this old world sculpture and reflecting pond that looked like something from Paris or Rome in the World Trade Centre building in Montreal's International District.
Another of the fun characters at the Nutcracker Market - this time real life.
I spent a lot of time looking up at the old buildings checking to see if there were any strange characters looking down at me like this guy. FYI: In the entrance of the St. James Church there is a note saying technically a gargoyle should be a water sprout; this was news to me.
For 20 years Montreal's World Trade Centre has been celebrating Christmas with eight life-size Santa characters from around the world, including this Black Peter an evil-looking companion of Santa in the Netherlands in their lobby.
Found this guy on the side of an ordinary older building that seemed to have no historical significance at the corner of St. Hubert and Duluth Ave. It is a good example how almost every block has something strange or surprising that made for great flaneuring.
We were just wandering to a thrift store on Rue St. Hubert when I noticed a huge banner with for what looked like a contemporary exhibition titled "Workwear." It wasn't clear if the show was inside but we decided to explore and sure enough Little Italy community centre was hosting a contemporary exhibition from Italy about fashion and workwear. It makes us most happy when we just stumble upon something interesting - the thrill of the surprise.
Found this window while walking along St. Laurent Boulevard. Nothing makes me happier than great window displays.
Loved this great use of bike as a prop for some winter greenery and summer flowers on the sidewalk in front of a florist shop.
Even in the suburbs we were able to find something to make me happy, including this modern sculpture outside the tired Plaza Cote-des-Neiges (shopping centre).
Found this cast iron 1939 bank at the St. Michel Antique Market. I was tempted to buy it, but resisted. Spent a very enjoyable 2.5 hours exploring the market, definitely worth a visit if the "thrill of the hunt" makes you happy.
Crew Collective & Cafe is located in the landmark 1920 Royal Bank headquarters building that was once the tallest building in Canada. It made me happy the space is still available to the public and if you live in Montreal this could be your office. Imagine going to work here everyday! We were there on a Saturday afternoon and the huge space was packed with people happily working away.
Last Word
One the the key elements of a "happy city" in my mind is how friendly people are to strangers. Montrealers couldn't have been more friendly to us.
From the store owner who offered to drive us to the St. Michel Market when we asked if we were going in the right direction (it was just 5 blocks away) to the couple who shared their bottle of wine with us at Les Jardins des Panos restaurant when they realized we didn't bring any wine (it is a bring your own wine only restaurant).
Or how the young lady working at the LNF vintage store was more than willing to share her hot tips with us on where to get the best finds. She even gave us her name, phone number and email if we wanted to contact her later.
Don't believe people when they say Montrealers won't speak to you in English. We never once encountered a local who when we said "Bonjour, do you speak English" wasn't willing to talk to us in our native tongue. We loved how many Montrealers said with a smile, "You practice your French and I will practice my English!" We loved that!
Next year Montreal is celebrating its 375th Anniversary, if you are looking for someplace interesting to visit, Montreal should be at the top of your list.
For me, Montreal has definitely become one of my happy places.