Day 31 - We Get Around Montreal Hmmm

Love this art piece called The Illuminated Crowd made up of 65 sculpted people.  The work is by English Artist Raymond Mason.

When we finally get up and dressed we end up reserving our Airbnb for Fredericton in a few weeks.  Now we are set for even a little longer.

The weather forecast is a little ominous!  They are calling for rain this afternoon, about a 60% chance but it is very sunny, hot and muggy right now. But we are prepared just in case it rains.

We walk up to the Metro station and take the Orange Line up to the closest stop to the Holocaust Museum in the Jewish Quarter.  

It is very reasonable to enter at a cost of only $8 each and we spent around two hours inside.

We both thought it was very well presented and moving.  

Again we learned and were very moved by many of the exhibits.

In a section that described how the German people gained a hatred for the Jews and how it spread rapidly.  We learn that the Nazis handed out free radios to German families, and of course Nazi propaganda was spread on the radio.

In schools written on blackboards were the words Jews need to be expelled, or Do Not Do Business at Jewish Business.

Even little children were not immune. Board games that were played rewarded you if you could get rid of Jews in the game. 

Canada was not welcoming to Jews at this time, nor were many other countries.

And the spread of hate here was evident.  Hmmm history is repeating itself. Key is to learn from history and not to repeat it.

Remember you can not change what you do not acknowledge.

At the end was an Eternal Flame in Remembrance. 

Back on the Metro we get off in Little Italy and go to a restaurant that came highly recommended -- Pizzeria Napoletana.   It was good, nothing special.  I have certainly had much better Napoli Pizza in many other spots. Another crazy thing is this restaurant only takes cash! Come on welcome to the 21st century!  I am glad we tried it, but probably would not rush back.

We are close the Jean Talon Market so we walk over and stroll the aisles and enjoy the sights and sounds!  If we were here longer we would buy some stuff.  We agree that when we get to Drummondville we will go to the market and buy stuff there.

I spot Lobster - another thing scratched off my Scavenger Hunt List

Those yummy egg custard tarts that are so popular in Portugal - Antonio we are thinking of you

It has started to rain lightly and we are back on another metro line (we are getting our money's worth in the 3 day pass, cost of $18 each).  

Now we are heading downtown and to the McCord Museum that is located right near McGill University.

When we arrive it seems a little special.  There is a red carpet, and media is set up and wine!  But none of it is for us.  Seems there is a special event happening tonight. The premier of a new exhibit and the event is for the media.

We go to pay and even offer our receipt from the Holocaust Museum as you get 50% off entrance because of it.  But we are told it is free because of the event.  I knew the museum was open till 9 pm tonight but later find out that it is closing at 5 pm because of the event.  

We tour the first two floors and kind of skim past the aboriginal section. Not because we are not interested but more because is a little redundant to us.  We often visit Anthropology Museum in Vancouver and we have learned even more on our journey across Canada.  We are also loosing steam and we are really here to check out the exhibit about Montreal.

So cool - very modernly displayed and enjoyed the textile exhibit.  Remember is was not that long ago that Montreal was a hub for fashion with small business designing, sewing and selling their fashions.  

Stores like Le Chateau, Reitmans and many others started here.

Another cool art piece

When we leave the Museum it is pouring rain.  We pull out the umbrellas and decide walking back to the apartment is probably the best idea.  The bus could take us there but traffic is bumper to bumper and we could probably walk there faster.  This city has a lot of construction happening - roads and buildings - which does not help.  Plus I later find out the power went out earlier and that could of impacted the traffic.  

We are smart we just keep walking and we are back at the apartment about 20 minutes later.  A little wet but feeling invigorated.  Oh and tired, we logged 18,000 steps today.

Tonight we are staying in.  We are not hungry from the later lunch and we have a big day planned for tomorrow.