long island for a year

This one  is especially dedicated to Dede of "Varie ed Eventuali" . One more post isn't enough to talk about this beautiful city, but I should eventually be talking about the main attraction of these few days in Montreal: the Jazz Festival. I could start with a negative note, saying we missed the George Clinton & Parliament's concert and the Dave Brubeck's concert as well and  - given the fact that good Dave Brubeck is 90 - this is NOT one for the next time, probably. Anyway, in things music, I always tend to see the glass full. The amazing number of concerts (all of high quality) and the relaxed way Montrealers and visitors had during this festival struck me as an ideal of tolerance and good behavior I've seldom experienced at open air concerts. US Americans are a good example, but Canadians are perfection - this is something Europeans should learn. There was a huge crowd and I didn't see anyone pushing nor yelling (that would...

There are some spots of Montreal that I already declared as my most favorite. One of them is the Rue de Prince Arthur Ouest (photo above and below). It's a little walking area with nice restaurants, a little fountain, and such an enjoyable atmosphere I almost want to go back for one more ice-cream at the Pagliacci . This is the Carré St Louis, (between Rue Pince Arthur and the Rue St. Denis ) with its octagonal kiosk, which reminded me - although with a different purpose - of the Café Achteck am Rudesheimer Platz, in Berlin: one family favorite, being half a mile away from our home and offering a quiet  square with garden and fountain, plus a number of little cafes, excellent bakeries and the weekly market. Buildings are here a little shorter than in Berlin, though. These are Second French Empire homes, with the typical rectangular tower and steep roof (the style is also called mansardate and was originated in Paris, which makes sense because this part of town, caught ...

After having slept like stones, we were spending most mornings doing some sightseeing, which was - due to the few days we had in our hands - more or less a collection of impressions and a promise to "leave something for the next time".  As far as collecting impressions goes, my own state of mind during this vacation was inspired by the stoned oriental philosopher who - running short of good advice - once said " when you don't know what to think about yourself, just don't think about it ". So, I was projecting and collecting and fell in love with this place. With every single corner of it: With its people and with its European, international, open-minded, relaxed flair. Between the Champ de Mars, the old ruins of the city, and the Old Montreal walkable area, we found ourselves immersed in a fruit and vegetable garden, the Governor's Garden, on the back of Chateau Ramezay, the headquarter of American army during the American Revolution. It...

I am a huge fan of Chinatowns; up to now I visited more than a couple of these meta-cities and found that each has its own special atmosphere. The one I liked most until now is the one in Kobe , Japan and the one I liked less is the one in Washington D.C. - tasteless. Montreal's Chinatown is a small one, yet very interesting and original. There is a small number of stores and restaurants which might not compare to those in NYC, but the general feeling is that of a very well integrated Chinese, French and English speaking Gemeinschaft. Yes, in Chinatown too streets get cleaned!!! Choosing the most original restaurant Japanese style window, but Chinese food and drinks and for my collection of colorful buildings I took these two pictures as inspiration for one of those things I'd never wish to do, but I'd be crazy enough to try...(cleaning the windows that is!!!!). This might have been at least the 20th floor! ...