FEELING FRENCH | MONTREAL

How beautiful is Montreal? I couldn't get over how stunning it was, especially in Autumn! This may sound stupid but it is very French! I know this is FRENCH Canada but for some reason I was expecting it to look Canadian with the people just speaking French however I was wrong. It was like I was walking along the streets of Paris. 

The streets were lined with little French cafes where I enjoyed a yummy Nutella and Strawberry Crepe and some coffee. Markus and I then moved on to explore the waterfront which was just picture perfect at this time of year. Whilst we were walking along, a lovely little old lady stopped us to tell us about a great viewing point where we could see a panoramic view of the entire city (thankfully Markus is fluent in French) so we ventured up onto this little platform and WAW were the views amazing. That's the thing I've learned about traveling, to get the best out of the experience you need to be open to people and chat to the locals, you never know what secrets they might reveal.

We then ventured over to visit 'Cathedral de Notre Damn' - totally butchered that there but I tried. It's exactly the same as the one in Paris although I felt that it was a lot smaller? A little musical ensemble were playing outside which took me back to roaming the streets of Paris with Gregor last summer and just sitting listening to the wonderful musicians for hours on end. I sat there for a little while and just absorbed the atmosphere and people watched.

We had the chance to engage in a group Thanksgiving dinner of Poutine which unfortunately I am not fond of so instead I went on search for food in Chinatown. I managed to get an amazing Yellow Tofu curry for only $7 and it was soooo yummy! Due to exams I didn't go out and experience the Montreal night life which I regret now but I'm sure it would have been an experience.

If you ever get the chance to go to Montreal I would definitely recommend it, I felt like I was closer to home for some strange reason. Anyway, stay tuned for the third part to this installment which will be my 1000 Island Adventure.

Hope you are all well :)

Sally xxx

VISITING THE CAPITAL | OTTAWA

Thanksgiving in Canada seems to be a major event on the yearly calendar, although Halloween surpasses the excitement. Humber closed over the weekend so I decided to escape on a little adventure to Ottawa and Montreal (coming in Part 2). I would love to say that I fully enjoyed the experience but the giant cloud of midterm exams hanging over me, not feeling 100% and with the absence of my BFF Nina I don't think I enjoyed it to it's fully potential...however it was a lovely experience and I am so glad that I got to explore somewhere a little bit different.

Ottawa was our first stop and I ventured on a walking tour of the Parliament buildings. I have to say that they were architecturally beautiful as you can probably see from the pictures. There was also a stunning view of the city and a strange monument. I don't actually remember what the monument was about but I was introduced to it as being 'the whispering wall'. If you whispered into one part of it then the person at the other end could hear you, it baffled me but it was so intriguing. I then wandered around ByWard Market and bought my fair share of Maple Syrup (nom nom). I also came across a stall selling all kinds of painted pumpkins - some of them were hilarious!

I went with the tour company ISX again and our tour guide Derek was amazing, the life and soul of the party! It was great because he really brought the group together by trying to learn everyone's language. I tried to teach him some Scottish words which I have to say he attempted. In true tour guide fashion he had a prop to make sure we all knew where he was through the crowds, and was it the standard umbrella? NO it was a toilet plunger named Louigi hahahaha!

Stay tuned for the second part of this trip where I will be exploring Montreal.

Hope you are all well and enjoying Autumn!

Sally xxx

ALGONQUIN PARK

Canoeing, Hiking, Wolves, Breathtaking Views and a new Friend...

No photographs or words will ever measure up to the beautiful breathtaking views that I actually witnessed on my day trip to Algonquin Park. The moment that I stood at the top of that rock after a hike through the forest and seeing a panoramic view of the provincial park will stay with me forever (I felt like I was in the Lion King! hahaaa). Last weekend was peak time for the Autumn leaves changing colour so it was interesting to see the vast colour schemes from many different angles of the park. 

I didn't manage to see any Moose or Bears but did see a Wolf Pack! I also canoed on one of Algonquins many lakes, I say canoed but what I actually mean is paddled round in circles for an hour.

I went with the student tour company ISX and they were great, our tour guide Wendy was so friendly and made the trip the amazing day that it was. I also met a lovely Japanese girl, called Ai and have agreed that we are going to be tour guides for our coutnries when she manages to visit Scotland and I manage to visit Japan (one day!) We have also made plans to catch up in Toronto a couple of times before we both part our seperate ways. I am writing this on my blog because it proves the amazing opportunities that can unfold whilst being on Study Abroad. I came across this quote the other day and it has really summed up my time here so far...

Sally xxx

APPLE PICKING

Autumn is my ultimate fav time when it comes to the four seasons we experience as human beings, although for Scotland it's more like three - Spring, Autumn and Winter. It's just hit Autumn here in Canada and I'm loving it, the colours of the leaves, coolish weather, 'Tim's' Hot Chocolate (I'm yet to try a Pumpkin Spice Latte), beautiful skylines and APPLE PICKING.

I enrolled to go on an apple picking trip with the International department as I have been told that this activity is typically 'Canadian' and I need to experience everything Canadian don't I? Unfortunately it was chucking it down with rain so we didn't get to do the whole experience but being the true Scot I am I just embraced the weather. I picked 7 of my own MacIntosh Apples at the Dixie Orchard and they were AMAZING, who knew an apple could be this sweet and juicy? 

Apple Picking is actually very educational - there's a certain way to pick them and everything! I met some lovely Asian students on my trip as well as two Canadian students who filled me in on where to travel in the world (and I've taken note). Since the weather wasn't the best the owner of the Orchard made us apple sauce which was sooo yummy and it was great to heat us all up.

Sally xxx

AUTUMN WALKS

The transition between Summer and Autumn was beautiful last week in Canada. I am very fortunate to be living on such a beautiful campus so Nina, Stefy and I took this opportunity to go an evening stroll down by the Lake.