Wednesday August 16, 2017

We had a good night’s sleep and best of all, we did not set an alarm so we take our time getting out of bed. The fridge is definitely not working right so we will call on that after 0900. Carol makes a nice breakfast of eggs, potatoes with onions, and toast from the French bread we bought. We even have some green chile to put on the eggs for a different flair from what we have been having. She notices that two burners on the stove are not working. We call the reception desk and they send someone right up. He checks the fridge and confirms that it is not working right and says he will be back. He brings a brand new fridge and replaces ours. We then tell him that two burners on the stove are not working. He takes out two fuses on the stove and says he will be back. He replaces the fuses, turns on the stove and there is a loud popping noise. He leaves again and comes back with a brand new stove and says it must be your lucky day. I guess that is one way of looking at it.

Roof Top Lounging

After he leaves, we go to check out the rooftop terrace at out apartment. It is a beautiful day and we have a nice view of Mont Royale on one side and the city on the other. We can see all the way to the St Lawrence River. We hang out on the roof and call my brother and Carol’s mother while we relax. Then we go back to our room to shower and get ready for Father Gerry.

Inside St Patricks

He calls us right on time at 2 o’clock from out front and we are on our way for a little tour of Montreal. We start at St Patrick’s where Father Gerry has some parking privileges. It is a beautiful church inside and of course has links to the Irish catholic community. It is the oldest English speaking Roman Catholic Church in Montreal. There is beautiful woodwork in the sanctuary and both side chapel. From here, we go out and walk around downtown learning the history of some of the buildings.

In Cathedrale Marie Reine du Monde

We next go into the Cathedrale Marie Reine du Monde. It replicates St Peters in Rome on a smaller scale. The altar is covered by a baldaquin similar to in Rome. The baldaquin is completely handmade and was created in Rome in 1900. After the church we walk around downtown and up towards McGill University. The street outside the University displays flags from around the world.

Father Gerry’s Church

We end up back at St Patrick’s and then drive over to Father Gerry’s Parrish. We are surprised to learn that he does mass in German. The area used to be mostly German and even though the neighborhood has changed his parishioners drive here to hear mass. We walk from the church to a Greek restaurant where we take advantage of the beautiful weather and sit outside. It feels very European sitting out on the street with a park behind us. The food and company is good.

Carol and Father Gerry

Our evening ends with Father Gerry dropping us back off at the apartment. As it is not too late, we call Carmelo and Diane (the couple we met in Quebec) and set up a time for tomorrow evening to have dinner together. We are looking forward to seeing them again.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Expenses                                                                                                                                 Dinner at Casa Grecque 80 CAD                                                                                         Trylon Apartment 104.96 CAD                                                                                          Parking 15 CAD