I spent six nights and seven days in Montreal this past week. Every one of them filled with sunshine, warm - but not hot - breezes, and all layered with fun and interesting things to look at... and sometimes just enjoy. Camera or no.
I averaged 18,900 steps per day (according to my iPhone) with one day overachieving with a glorious 24,000+ steps. That was the day I walked from the Marché Jean Talon up and around Mont Royale (splendid views!) and back down to Peel and Crescent streets. I am now perennially hungry.
Most of the time I carried only one camera. It was generally the Leica M240 outfitted with either the Zeiss 28mm lens or the Voightlander 50mm APO. The 50mm can claim the title of "my current favorite lens" and also, "my current favorite focal length for use on a rangefinder camera."
It took me a while but I think I am finally up to speed on the workings and mysteries of the Leica M240 camera. It's delightful for travel and will run, all out, for a couple of days (at least) with one battery charge. I never had to grab for a back-up battery while out shooting. I'll give more details shortly.
I stayed on the edge of the old town in the Hotel Gault. It's a lovely four star hotel in a beautiful, older building. The entire hotel has only 30 rooms or suites. The service was outstanding. The interior design was modern but immaculate. When I checked in I was thrilled to find that I had been upgraded to a corner suite. I asked why. It's a benefit of paying in advance for six nights. Most people book for only two or three....
I loved the room. I made a point to stop walking and exploring around sunset each day, have a wonderful meal with a good glass of wine at a selected restaurant, and then I would head into my room for the night just to sit, enjoy the space and read. What a relaxing way to spend time.
I meant to save money on the trip. To economize because there were faint guilt pangs about going by myself. But since I felt under the weather in the days leading up to the trip I tossed fiduciary caution to the wind and upgraded myself to first class for the long haul segments of my air travel. Both United (on the way up) and American (on the way back) did a nice job. Everything was not only "on time" but several of the flights got in 20-30 minutes early. And really, for the extra seat space, better boarding options and tastier snacks, the cost to upgrade wasn't nearly as ruinous as I thought it might be.
It's my nature, when in a completely safe and wonderful city like Montreal, to either walk or take public transportation everywhere. And that's exactly what I did. I bought a one week "Opus" pass that was good for unlimited Metro and bus travel. And I used that card hard. Carried a Leica out in the open. No tape covering logos or red dots. No one batted an eye. No one robbed me at knife point. Nobody cared.
I'll start writing in earnest now that I'm back. But first I'm heading over to swim practice. It's been a while. I hope I can remember the strokes.... back in a bit.
Produce at the Marché Jean Talon.
Trees actually turning colors in the Fall.
An ongoing attempt to master black and white imaging with
the Leica M240. It's not that difficult. Really.
