Dominion Square

Dominion Square, Montreal, looking north, with the Sun Life building (greenish, top center), Mary Queen of the World basilica at near right, the Queen ELizabeth Hotel behind it. (Click for a larger view.)

And this is where I am, at the moment: in a hotel room on the 20th floor, looking out at this scene as the fog from the St. Lawrence settles lower and lower over the city's towers.

As I mentioned earlier, the bathrooms in our apartment are being torn out because of the flood from the apartment above us, several months ago. There was water pouring throughthe light fixtures onto our floor, and when the insurance adjuster checked, he said there was a lot of moisture in the walls, floors and ceilings -- which meant the danger of champignons - oh horror! - the catch-all term here for mold, fungus, and mildew. Finally the insurance company's contractor has gotten around to doing the repairs, and we're paying for an upgrade to the fixtures in the master bath. It's nothing fancy, but it will be nice. In the meantime though -- no water, no bathroom, and no heat. We slept on our living room sofabed last night, with all our furniture pied around us, and the rest of the apartment curtained off with plastic sheets and masking tape, the floor covered with dust. Today we fled.

Fortunately our insurance policy also pays for lodging in such circumstances. This is a new experience for us, and probably won't ever happen again! So J. bid for hotel rooms online, and scored this very nice one at a very reasonable price, and in the lobby I spoke French and J. smiled his best smile for the desk clerk, a kindly older man, and asked, "Do you have a room with a nice view?" ...We also bought weekly passes for our OPUS cards, which work in the buses and metro system, and allow for unlimited rides; that way we don't need to drive down here, hassle with the traffic, and pay for parking. During the day we'll just take the metro back up to our studio and work and cook as usual, and we hope - in spite of the novelty - that we can move back home soon.

In the meantime I'll try to take advantage of the location to show you some different views of our fair city -- downtown is quite a change from our quaint, European-style neighborhood, especially from up here!

 

 

Comments

[Marja-Leena]

What a horrible thing to have water leaks. I'm glad the insurance is covering everything including this very nice hotel stay. I must say I feel as if I'd like to be in Montreal again after seeing this photo... am looking forward to more.

[Dave]

Sounds swank. Live it up!

[Dale Favier]

I would find it difficult to dread champignons! They really use it of mildew?

Anyway, yes, what Dave said, enjoy swanking it in the big city! :-)

[Sharyn]

Where is kitty?

[Pica]

I'm with Sharyn...

[Beth]

Manon is at the studio, where she lives, and that's where I am right now too ;-) Don't worry, we're still coming here to work every day and give quality kitty-time. I don't think she'll notice much difference!

[Judy Wise]

Exquisite photo; sounds like a real adventure.

[Mary]

I'm hoping you have one of those great spa bathrooms. Enjoy!