Category: Quebec

Bank business!

Here we go, how about a financial advice column hosted by the mega wealthy OPC? No, that’s not going to happen. I wouldn’t wish the advice, or mega wealth for that matter, on anyone. Something about the root of all evil…

A high ceiling – and real costs…

Still, as you’re here, you’re maybe wondering – bank business? Here’s my not so high financial advice: if you’ve got a few dollars and some spare time, invest it in a visit to Crew Collective Cafe in Montreal. Situated in an old bank building, it’s an absolute delight. You won’t make money but the returns will be of a different nature. There’s hardly a ceiling on your investment if you like an ornate ceiling, decent pastries and good coffee. The people watching and caffeine bustle are excellent bonuses.

“Excuse me, teller, I have $5:00 – what’s your advice?” “Can I recommend the double espresso as a wise investment sir?” “Yes you can. Sold!”

Oh, you do want some sound financial advice? Ok, this is all I really know. It isn’t easy, but I was once told if you spend less than you earn, you’ll likely be fine overall. Doubtless we can all think of many caveats to that, but, generally, it works for me – small print bit – I can’t guarantee it will work for you.

Works for me…

The other piece of advice is something I heard an education colleague share with a group of boys who were admiring (and astonished that the colleague owned) a shiny classic vehicle. His response when asked by one youth how he could afford such a vehicle? “It’s called a budget, boys!”

Enough! I can’t help you amass a huge fortune but I can say there’s wealth of a more enjoyable kind to be found in a decent cup of coffee, good company and a great location.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Old stuff, new stuff (yes, this is a terrible title) and a big green space

We really enjoyed our recent visit to Quebec City, such a friendly and lively place, with an enticing mix of the old and new existing comfortably side by side. Where to start? We have so many highlights. How about outside? One large space that we grew to love very quickly was the Plains of Abraham. Such a delight to wander, a place that has always held a fascination for me since childhood. Boredom alert! Not so interesting pieces of my past are shared below. Old stuff.

Leafy and lovely

I remember as a child reading about General James Wolfe and how he was victorious in battle on the Plains of Abraham against General Montcalm and his French forces. Those childhood primer history books were old even then, written and first published when Britain still clung to notions of greatness based on empire, and were British biased to say the least. They did not go into any great details beyond the triumph of Wolfe. Not much mention of the intricacies and dubious presence of two empires busily exporting their European wars to far flung places and messing things up there. Hmm.

Anyway, younger me wasn’t too concerned or aware of missing nuances – I mostly liked the maps showing how opposing forces were arrayed. Yes, I was a nine year old armchair general. Such a strange child… Getting back to the battle on the Plains of Abraham as told in my history book, I was always bothered by the thought it wasn’t much of a personal victory for Wolfe, given that he died in the battle. Come to think of it, older me still isn’t convinced that’s the best way to win…

Bloody history acknowledged, today the Plains of Abraham are a vast green space providing city dwellers and visitors quiet places to overlook the St. Lawrence River and the town of Levis on the far bank. It’s a busy waterway down there, so if watching boats is your thing, there’s always something moving.

I like this space!

Along with the rolling fields of grass and areas of military significance, there are hundreds of leafy trees, dozens of welcoming benches and tables, as well as planted garden areas where a person can sit and stare, or sit and doze. Or both, one after the other…

We did stay awake long enough to visit the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ) which is situated overlooking the park, and if we were slightly sleepy before heading in, the collection of contemporary Quebec art dating from 1960 to the present certainly woke us up. What a vibrant and thought provoking array of work it was. New stuff! Highly recommended if you get the chance.

These stairs lead up to a wonderful contemporary collection!

I’ll leave it here for this week, with my head mentally, if not geographically, still wandering the plains, and feeling much relieved my bloodthirsty battlefield map loving younger self grew up into a pacifist. What a site, though. Did I mention how much we enjoyed it there? Here are a couple more photos:

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!