The 2010 Summer Holiday Really Began In Montreal

Ben, my daughter Madeline's dearest friend, loaned me his apartment for the duration of my stay. What a great guy! Montreal apartments can be tiny but are definitely charming. At least the apartments where Madeline stays are always in older character buildings. Ben's apartment is in a building right next to Madeline's so we were always together even while separate.

This is Madeline in her apartment. While I slept in Ben's apartment, I ate my meals in Madeline's. Both apartments had books, so I was happy. Madeline's apartment has lots of colour while Ben's is the classic white and wood tones. Madeline's apartment is definitely bigger...

...important since it is here that she both lives and does her art: two glimpses of her studio.

And here is the neioghbourhood where they live...

Madeline and Ben walking to work, while I trail behind briefly then say goodbye at Central Stamp. While they earn their bread and butter, I wend my independent way. Madeline took her holidays while I was there to help me find my way around. Such fun!

My Summer 2010 Holiday In Montreal Part II

There are so many things I love about Montreal, two of them are that there are parks everywhere and that I can walk just about everywhere. Here am I walking through a park very close to Madeline's apartment! Life could hardly be better!

While I was in Montreal Madeline talked through a Grant Proposal she was planning to make. While she talked I took notes, then in this cafe we sat together to organize the details. Lots of fun for me. After I left she did the hard part: putting it together. She is now awaiting the results!

Another thing I love about Montreal is the Italian Market. This is too far away to walk to so at least once a visit Madeline and I take public transport here. We walk for hours first sampling the fruit that is placed for just that purpose, then return to the kiosk that had the best of whatever. We have a...

... coffee there then lunch then wend our way homeward. Madeline leading the way above and getting the cafecitos while I hold the table.

My visit ended with parties; this one was at Isabel and Enrique's house. That is their son Quique helping Ben put a puzzle together. Sacha, the owner of Central Stamp, was there too.
From here I flew to Washington State to see Megan and Keith, Richard and Arlene.

Saturday Market in Mexico City

Near San Angel Restaurant is a park that becomes an art exhibit on Saturday. WOW. Can't wait to show Madeline this when she visits for Christmas.

Every inch of the park is used...

The Virgen of Guadalupe protects the artists and all who wander therein...

and surrounding the park are artesans selling their crafts along the walkways.

Even leaving the market is charming. I left Mexico City late June for Montreal. The next posting will focus on that leg of the summer journey.