March 21, 2004
certainly, as a reflection of all big cities, montreal has many tiers of society. and i think i've seen all of them just this past week.
there's the old port, stately and touristy. i love going there just to walk because for some reason, it calms me a lot. the cobblestones are nice, they feel like they have history. of course there are many memories there too. whenever i have something on my mind, it's there i think of first to go.
west island of course, anglophone and suburban. domain of kids riding tricycles and tall poplar trees. homey, quiet, very unremarkable.
midtown downtown, capitalist territory with the huge shopping and restaurants, big flashing lights. everything you could ever want, concentrated. basically the axis of life in a north american society. my friends and i encountered some really dumb american tourists there and wish we didn't. you don't want to hear it, trust me.
then there's the area past chinatown, the not-so-great area that i had the unfortunate chance to visit late on a friday night. many many scary people there and drug dealers too. hopefully i'm never there again unless it's under the protection of "my guys".
And of korse, the places i love best, the artsy districts that really define montreal to me. the few square blocks filled with drama and theatre, art and music, dance and exotic food. The homey coffeeshops, cafés and hang out places. it's amazing how much i can see in a week. it's a shame that i can't wander the city by myself like i'd like to. this truth was rather abruptly brought to light when my brother called me this afternoon.
"Yo where're you at?"
"I'm walking up a rather snowy street a few blocks up from Place-des-arts."
"Are you by yourself??"
"Yeah."
"You're alone? ARE YOU OK? There's no serial killer running after you?"
ok the last one i added out of spite but i guess i realize i can't wander around by myself. shame. now i've gotta find some crazy people to hang out with me who're as fascinated as i am by this vast treasure-trove city.
btw:goh, if you're reading this, sorry if i'm embarassing you...
