AndrewDavid

hey daniel, i received a full scholarship for the montreal housing conference 25-27 september. i will see if the arrangers will allow me to fly out earlier, possibly arriving the evening of the 20th. so talk to me. what are must do/sees? anything special on that weekend?

do you have a spare bicycle helmet or know where i can find one so i can access bixi bikes?

the conference appears to be @ the omni hotel. if they give me the conference rate, i'll book there. if not i'll be looking for some place quiet and reasonable ( about$150/night) and near transit.


is there public transit in from the aerogare?

i'm going to do a few hours of french conversation w/ a transplanted quebequois acquaintance to sound a bit more plausible en francaise

thanks
AndrewDavid ( andrew)

ps meteorological conditions @ that season?

Daniel_Williams

Hi AndrewDavid,

That's terrific news! Anyway, welcome back to Montreal after many years' absence!

Often the weather can be quite nice September 25-27th, shouldn't be too wintery. It's often pleasant autumn weather; I'd recommend a fall jacket even though you may not need it. I don't know of anything going on.

"Must do/sees": Montreal's less a city of must dos/sees than a city of taking in the ambience. You'll want to stroll through a variety of neighbourhoods such as the Plateau Mont-Royal, the McGill Ghetto, Mile-End, Old Montreal, just to get a feel of some different vibes out there. If anything is a must do, I'd recommend walking up the mountain for the view from up high. The Botanical Gardens are pleasant, although I suspect you're a little early for the Chinese Lantern Festival. They remind me a bit of the Van Dusen Gardens. If you like markets, the Jean Talon Market and Atwater Markets are interesting. Since you're planning to Bixi, you could bike next to Lachine Canal to Old Lachine if you want a long ride or the Atwater Market/Ile Saint Helene if you want a shorter one. The Biosphere is a well-done interactive museum on Ile Sainte Helene.

"Spare bicycle helmet..." I don't have one I'm afraid. A lot of people don't wear them for Bixi-ing here (not required for adults by law) but if you're opposed to doing it the carefree Dutch/Quebecois way, there are many bike rental shops where you could get one, I'd imagine?

"Is there public transit in from the aerogare?" Yes, the 747 bus is great, $9, and there should be a stop on Rene Levesque near Peel on the route which should put you only a few blocks from your hotel.

Don't hesitate if you have any other questions as the time approaches! Best wishes, Daniel

AndrewDavid

hi daniel, well i should hope it won't be too wintery @ the beginning of autumn. yikes!. thanks for the feedback. hope to connect tomorrow w/ the conference's travel agent and get my flights booked.

thanks for the feedback so far

cheers
andrew

AndrewDavid

hi Daniel, the conference will allow me to come in on friday the 20th so i'll have 4 days to explore.

what is the neighbourhood around the hotel like. there's reference to the phrase " golden mile". can i pan for gold; are there gold diggers??

cheers
Andrew

Daniel_Williams

The Omni is essentially in downtown Montreal, right near the McGill University campus. Downtown is predominantly a business/financial as well as entertainment district although some do live in apartment buildings/condos and rowhouses within this area.

The Golden Square Mile refers to that stretch centered around Sherbrooke Street where a number of Canada's mercantile magnates built stately homes in a display of unbridled wealth at the end of the 19th century. Apparently only 30% of the homes remain, but Sherbrooke Street still retains some of the grandeur of those times.

AndrewDavid

daniel, can i expect any of the unbridled wealth to inform my visit? will there be dark chocolate dipped strawberries in my room?

would a bicycle shop rent a helmet?

cheers
andrew