Snow, snow and more snow.

There is snow falling it is supposed to fall all day and into tomorrow. Leaving the Montreal area with 20 centimeters of snow which is about 7.8 inches. My husband went off to work today, he says where the company is located is sort of out of the way in an industrial area that is an up and coming artsy area but that it does not look like a place where snow plows go through regularly so hopefully he can get out to make it back to the hotel tonight. It is supposed to be 22 degrees today and tomorrow then drop off to 9 degrees on Friday, that's Fahrenheit by the way. As I look out the window the snow is really starting to come down now much more determined than the fluffy flakes that were falling when I was down stairs eating breakfast. I still haven't decided if I am going to brave the elements or not. I am not sure if there is anywhere that I wanted to go that is worth getting out in this weather. There is a Metro station just next door so I could go a lot of places. If I wanted I could just ride the Metro around town. There are many choices, I just have to make one. For now I am hanging out in the hotel drinking my coffee.

Notre Dame Basilica

I can't even begin to bring this location justice. I doubt I can put into words the way you feel when you walk into the Notre-Dame Basilica. Or at least the way I felt. I gave my recommended 5.00$ donation, I chatted for a minute with the people tending the door. They were very nice and very interested in New Orleans and what I thought about Montreal both places having a French History seemed to give us a common ground and I was a bit sad I do not know more about the French history in New Orleans.
The basilica is beautiful beyond words. It was built in 1829 on a site that had held mass since 1642. They now hold mass twice every day and four times on Sunday. Since I did not have anywhere to go or any pressing time limits I sat down in a pew for a while. Reading the pamphlet they gave me at the door, listening to the sounds of the old building and watching the people. Not a single one of my pictures represent the place accurately in any way. My eyes had tears in them as I walked around looking at all the painting and carvings. If a church is supposed to be a temple to honor God he could not be disappointed with this one. It seems as though each inch of wall space that is not holding a piece of art is covered in ornately carved wood. Windows of stained glass fill the the space with a soft light adding all the more to the ambiance. Buildings like this hold something wonderful that I can not explain. I am very glad I had the opportunity to spend time here. Picture #1 - the Altar and front of the basilica from the pew where I sat, #2 - confessionals and altar in the background, #3 - organ in the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur (a second chapel behind the first) and #4 - a wood carved statue of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, founder of the Congregation of Notre-Dame.
I will be posting all the pictures I took on Flickr but I suggest you go to the Basilica's website for a better look and more info.

Santas

check out the Santas


Right Here.

Going to Montreal

So, it is now official we are going to Montreal. Scott is working there for the week of January 4th. Chance can not go because even newborn babies need passports to leave the country now and since we have been lazy and not gotten Chance his own passport yet then he will have to stay behind with my mom. That is not really a problem for me because I could use a week off with Scott. Also it is going to be so cold I don't think he would have much fun anyway. I am flying to Montreal from New Orleans on Monday the 5th and we are both flying back together on Saturday the 10th. We have to drive to Fort Myers to drop Chance off and then drive back here to catch the plane. The company is paying for our tickets so that is why we are flying out of NOLA instead of Fort Myers.

Does anyone know anything about Montreal?

If so what is good to see and do there? I am looking for things to do since I will be alone most days while Scott is working. From what I have found on the internet Montreal looks like a beautiful place with a lot in common with New Orleans. I want to eat good food and buy lots of cool little souvenirs to bring home and give to everyone. I am so looking forward to the whole trip.