Montreal 2007 - ULTRAsomething Photography Galleries by grEGORy simpson

Photos from our May vacation in Montreal, QC

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ULTRAsomething > You might be tempted to believe we visited China on this vacation.

ULTRAsomething > The landscaping says "China."

ULTRAsomething > The architectural details say "China."

ULTRAsomething > The tower jutting diagonally skyward over Montreal's Olympic Stadium does not, however, say "China."

ULTRAsomething > Given that omnipresent reminder of the 1976 Olympics, one can be equally certain that this isn't Japan. It is, in actuality, Montreal's Jardin Botanique -- second largest botanical gardens in the world (behind Kew Gardens in London).

ULTRAsomething > Montreal's Botanical Gardens are positively modern compared to "Old Montreal" -- a very European section populated by both tourists and innumerable old buildings.

ULTRAsomething > Shops (like the one Karen is exiting) are in abundance in Old Montreal. They're almost as plentiful as churches (like the one behind Karen). In fact, I've seen more churches in Montreal and its surrounding townships than I've seen in the rest of the world combined.

ULTRAsomething > And, speaking of churches, St. Joseph's Oratory is particularly impressive -- not that you can necessarily tell by this collision of conflicting shapes.

ULTRAsomething > Here's St. Joseph's Oratory without the abstract perspective. Notice the three columns of stairs. Those on the right and left can be ascended on foot. Stairs in the middle are reserved for those ascending on their knees.

ULTRAsomething > St. Joesph's Oratory has two chappels. This one, "the Crypt," was built in 1917 and seats 1,000.

ULTRAsomething > Off to the side of "The Crypt" is a large prayer room with dozens of metal gates, all of which contain thousands of crutches, canes, and other orthopedics. Brother André Bessette was a healer, and these are the discarded walking aids no longer needed by the pilgrims. Pilgrims still flock to St. Joseph's to pray for miracles at the tomb of Brother André.

ULTRAsomething > Atop The Crypt, under the largest dome in Canada, is a beautiful art deco chapel. Alas, 'twas dark and I was without a tripod, but you can see some of the deco elements in the lighting fixtures and in the large iron gate behind the altar.

ULTRAsomething > Enough churches. It's time to take a ride to the country. Specifically, to Quebec's Eastern Townships so Karen can smell some flowers, rather than the musty old houses of worship.

ULTRAsomething > Oops. Going to Quebec's Eastern Townships to get away from churches is like going to the ocean to escape fish. This is the first town we stopped in -- Bromont. It seems to only have one church. Most towns have several.

ULTRAsomething > This is definitely the king of churches in the Eastern Townships. It's Abbaye Saint-Benoit in Saint-Benoit-Du-Lac, Quebec. And it's a working Abbey that, as Karen stated, is "crawling with monks." Like many good monks, these make cheese -- evidence of which is currently in my refrigerator.

You might be tempted to believe we visited China on this vacation.

ULTRAsomething > You might be tempted to believe we visited China on this vacation.

You might be tempted to believe we visited China on this vacation.

Camera: Canon (Canon Eos 5d) |

more details: exif |

original size: 4285px x 2857px |

Current: 600px x 400px |

Other sizes: S • Medium • L |

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Keywords: montreal quebec landscape botanical gardens chinese gardens

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