Thursday, June 23, 2011

Parc La Fontaine

The coolest part of Montreal is Parc la Fontaine  which is just a short walk up the street from the b&b we are staying at. The park is a fairly large park and has two lakes. The people here love the park and they come out in droves to sit by the lake and sunbathe or play music or Bar-b-que or throw frisbees and ride bicycles. Bicycling is biggg here! Everyone rides a bike it seems like. You can even rent bikes at this thing called Bixi.

In the park young and old intermingle all along the walking paths and bike paths and footpaths. It is very bohemian and free, but not really quite hippy although there is a little bit of that. Mostly the preponderance of people seem to be mostly middle class folks just getting out and enjoying nature.

Lots of musicians gather and play all around the park. Also troops of actors hold improtue shows in the middle of the park. The smell of marijuana is ever present. Though it isn't legal according to the locals the police don't care if people smoke it. They only go after the dealers. It's totally out in the open. Open containers of alcohol isn't an issue either as practically everyone is having some kind of beverage or another. It's really refreshing to see. Overall though it is a very relaxed, very laid back. Just like everyone said it would be. But it isn't like you are at a Grateful Dead show or anything like that, it's legitimate and uncontrived.  

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