Anyone in Montreal?

[derekkj 0]

Derek and I are supposed to drive up to Montreal on Saturday, spend a few days there and then head to my Mom's in Vermont to spend a few days and then drive back to DC. But on Tuesday I spoke with my mother-in-law and she says that Montreal is still snowed under, that the streets and sidewalks are a mess, that there is no parking and for our own safety she doesn't think we should come unless the situation improves.

And then this morning I read IR5's report on driving through the storm in a Yaris and somebody else who also said the city still hasn't plowed. What's up with that, btw? I mean I expect an inch of snow to paralyze DC for a week or so, but Montreal?! My Mom is only about 2 hours south near Burlington, VT, which got just as much snow and is completely fine. So we may just end up going to my Mom's first, spending a few days and then borrowing her car with 4 wheel drive and snow tires for a day trip up to Montreal.

But in the meantime, anyone currently in Montreal? How's it looking?

[SpiritAlight 1]

Hello Derek,

I am here in the big white city.

The main streets are good.

All streets are plowed but there is so much snow that the smaller streets ("off streets") have piles of snow on both sides that have yet to be trucked away.

Apparently that will be dine over the course of the next 10 days! They have gotten lax here. When I used to live here before (13 years ago, just came back this year) no sooner did it dump, when the snow was hauled away pretty quickly. This has been more snow is less time then what Montreal has become accustomed to since the 70s, and never have we had this much this early in the season. Nothing is stopping people here from going about their business.

It's not exactly helll, but you will absolutely need a shovel.

More snow is forecast, but only a few centimetres.

see: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/index.php...&switchto=c

and

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/...7_metric_e.html

There are buttons to switch to fahrenheit.

And remember, everyone that has been raised here thinks they are Jacques Villeneuve.

Ha!

Anything else you'd like to know?

B)

Edited December 20, 2007 by SpiritAlight

[derekkj 0]

Hey, thanks for the links Spirit! Yeah, that's pretty much what the MIL said. Unfortunately they live on one of those side streets and only have one garage spot. Otherwise it's onstreet parking which apparently is non-existant right now.

And remember, everyone that has been raised here thinks they are Jacques Villeneuve.

Ha!

I thought DC drivers were bad and NY drivers were aggressive but then I visited Montreal where they are bad AND aggressive. Derek used to make fun of me, saying how much road rage I had while driving. But the first time I went to Montreal, he got into an argument with some other driver. He had one hand on the horn, one finger out the window and was yelling like a banshee. In French of course. I just cracked up!

[Emancipation 2]

I thought DC drivers were bad and NY drivers were aggressive but then I visited Montreal where they are bad AND aggressive. Derek used to make fun of me, saying how much road rage I had while driving. But the first time I went to Montreal, he got into an argument with some other driver. He had one hand on the horn, one finger out the window and was yelling like a banshee. In French of course. I just cracked up!

this is a great story!! Oh man.. i am cracking up!!

[trailmix 77]

I thought DC drivers were bad and NY drivers were aggressive but then I visited Montreal where they are bad AND aggressive. Derek used to make fun of me, saying how much road rage I had while driving. But the first time I went to Montreal, he got into an argument with some other driver. He had one hand on the horn, one finger out the window and was yelling like a banshee. In French of course. I just cracked up!

this is a great story!! Oh man.. i am cracking up!!

Well my Husband is looking forward to his little jaunt to Montreal. He can't decide whether or not to chose the comfort of the Carlton for the night or the convenience of the le tour. Luckily he won't be driving at all!!

Anyway, he will have a free day there to look around, he is a History buff so it interests him, hopefully it will be warmer in February than it is now!

[SpiritAlight 1]

Please please please heed these warnings:

to Montreal drivers RED means GO FASTER

Montreal pedestrians never step their foot forward when their light is green until they are absolutely certain all traffic has seen them AND stopped

to out of town drivers: do not stop suddenly when light turns yellow, you will get rammed

to out of town pedestrians: do not think you have the right of way ANYWHERE, ANYTIME

People here are nuts...and somehow it all just works.

There are less accidents here and traffic flows better than in Vancouver, AND pedestrians have learnt incredible survival skills unseen anywhere I've travelled. In Montreal, you are responsible for yourself. You take your life in your hands regardless if you are driving or out there on two feet or two wheels.

ENJOY!

Personally I appreciate the anarchistic ways of this old cultured city.

It has its own code and people who have been here a long time learn it and a "guest" sticks out like a sore thumb.

Edited December 20, 2007 by SpiritAlight

[Emancipation 2]

don't bother stopping for directions either.. they will just tell you they don't "speak english" in perfectly pronounced english infact..

tee hee.. that was our experience in Montreal!

[CutienPurg 0]

I was personally impressed at the willingness of Montrealers to speak english to me when i said I wasnt french speaking. Not single slight in the crowd........from each store/restaurant/hotel to passersby on the street.

Montreal!!