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Bonjour from Montréal

Writer's picture: SophieSophie

I’ve been here since Wednesday and it’s been a whirlwind but going really well so far. My work meetings and the conference has been great and taken up most of my time, but the weather has been lovely and I‘ve managed to see some of the city. What a charming place!


Coffee (trying to stay awake!) and doing some work at Vancouver airport while waiting for my Montreal connection.


The flights were EASY. If very long (total time in the air- 19 hours). From Brisbane to Vancouver was 14 hours (on a Dreamliner), then Vancouver to Montreal was 5 hours. I watched Oppenheimer (is it just me, or was it a bit slow in the middle?) Ted Lasso, among other shows. Jet lag hasn’t been too bad, thanks to Melatonin and just having jam packed days!


Notre-Dame Cathedral in Montreal.


The first day and a half was all work (conference, welcome reception, more conference), but the Friday evening a booked a sound and light show (called Aura) inside the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and honestly I was blown away. It was truly amazing, and after we could take some time in the cathedral. No photography allowed during the show but I took some before and after.


Before the show.


After the show.

Wine and poutine- yes please!


Afterwards I wandered down to the water and stopped at a casual restaurant for a glass of wine and try poutine, Montreal’s famous dish. I had mine with slow cooked spare ribs to make it a meal- it was delicious!


The next evening I had a few hours between the conference and the conference dinner, which was in Old Montreal, so I bought a self-guided walking tour app, and wandered for an hour.

Wandering through Old Montreal.

Love the history. This restaurant is from 1725.


And how have I gone with taking “care” this week?

Well… fairly good! I have:

  • Done ALOT of walking

  • Took a break one conference lunch breath (when I was very tired) and ended up having a nap, getting Starbucks and walking through the McGill University campus (very pretty).

  • Taking some time to sight see, but also not stressing about fitting in too much

  • Being kind to myself about how I “perform” at the conference. That is, my public speaking, networking skills, asking questions after presentations. I can be quite insecure if I don’t actively give myself a pep talk!

I havent done any mindfulness, but with all the walking I feel like I’ve ticked the mental health box.


All in all it’s been a great visit to Montreal and would love to come back one day, maybe with the family.


Next stop - Nova Scotia! Very excited to see this part of Canada, and some friends (both old and new!)

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Nicole MacPherson
Nicole MacPherson
24 พ.ค. 2567

I just came here from Elisabeth's blog - hi! - and I was so excited to see this. I was also just in Montreal and did many of the same things, including Aura! This was so fun to read. Have a great day!

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Sophie
Sophie
25 พ.ค. 2567
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Hi Nicole, welcome! Thanks for stopping by :) That’s so cool that you also just got back from Montreal- I will look forward to reading your posts about it on your blog!

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Dr. Daria Pizzuto
Dr. Daria Pizzuto
22 พ.ค. 2567

How lovely that you made it to Canada! The pictures look lovely. And you got to meet Elisabeth!!! <3 I'm jealous! Hope the rest of your trip is excellent!

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Sophie
Sophie
23 พ.ค. 2567
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It has been thanks Daria! On my way home now.

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jennystancampiano
21 พ.ค. 2567

The only place I've been in Canada was Toronto, and that was in high school. I would love to go to Montreal!!! But my #1 destination would be Nova Scotia- it looks so, so beautiful and I see from Elisabeth's comment that you got to meet up! I CANNOT WAIT to hear all about that!

I hope your trip is going well and that you are continuing to take good care of yourself.

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Sophie
Sophie
23 พ.ค. 2567
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Nova Scotia is beautiful! Definitely great to visit (especially with Elisabeth there too!)

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Lisa Segner
Lisa Segner
21 พ.ค. 2567

Montreal sounds amazing! Do you read Nicole’s blog? I think she went to the sound and light show as well. I would love to visit Montreal some day. I am a total Francophile so it would give me my Paris fix at a fraction of the cost/time change! We will get there some day. i am glad the jet lag hasn’t been too bad. And I am envious that you got to meet Elisabeth!!

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Sophie
Sophie
23 พ.ค. 2567
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Ooh no I haven’t read that on Nicole’s blog, will have to check it out. Yes it definitely had France vibes, I hope you make it there sometime soon!

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optimisticmusings7
20 พ.ค. 2567

I'm so glad you time in Canada has gone well. Montreal is a lovely city and you've arrived at such a beautiful time of year. Blue skies, relatively warm days, things in bloom...


What makes me most happy about your trip to Canada is the fact I GOT TO MEET YOU TODAY. I just got home from first in-real-life bloggy meetup, and it did not disappoint. I wish we lived closer, but isn't it amazing that technology allows us to connect despite the thousands of miles of ocean than separate us in terms of geography.


Three cheers for your time in Nova Scotia. I hope the rest of your stay is delightful <3

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Sophie
Sophie
23 พ.ค. 2567
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It was SO lovely to meet you Elisabeth! I had a great time in Nova Scotia, what a great part of the world you live in! Now in Vancouver on my way home,

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