by Jonathan van Bilsen
Whenever people travel, there is inevitably the unexpected which happens. This was the case when I went to Montreal last weekend. The drive, albeit six hours, was pleasant, especially considering the beautiful weather.
I booked the same hotel I usually do in Montréal, as it is located on Boulevard Rene-Levesque, right downtown. Walking along St. Catherine Street is always fun, and strolling along the restaurants on Crescent Street gave me some ideas for meals.
I ended up in Old Montreal and enjoyed a lovely dinner at Auberge Le Saint-Gabriel, the first establishment in Canada to receive a liquor license. A quick Uber back to the hotel, and I was sound asleep in minutes.
I awoke Sunday morning and glanced out the window to see two police cruisers, lights flashing, blocking the road. My first thought was an accident, but after a few minutes, I saw a truck pulling a float, so I assumed it was a parade or demonstration.
After a hearty breakfast, I drove to visit St. Joseph's Oratory, the largest church in Canada, and quite an amazing structure. After an enjoyable visit, I returned to downtown Montreal.
That was when things began to happen. I drove down Rue de la Montagne, toward the hotel, only to find it had been closed by police. It seems the parade had started. I explained how my hotel was on that street, but the somewhat sympathetic police officer said there was little he could do. I asked how long the parade would be, and he said until 4 p.m. I glanced at my watch, it was only 11 a.m.
He instructed me to turn my car around, travel up the one-way street, and along an alleyway to the next block. Traffic was jammed and nothing was moving, except the people on foot.I saw a sign for a parking garage and decided to leave my car there. After walking the length of St. Catherine Street and back, I made my way, to Boulevard Rene-Leveque, waited for a gap in the parade and ran across the road, making my way back, to the hotel.It was now 3 p.m. and the parade was still going strong. I was hoping to get back to my car before seven, as that was when the garage closed.
The weather was great and the festivities were fun, so as the old saying goes, ‘If life throws you lemons, make lemonade’.
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