Exploring and settling in

and suddenly it was 2 weeks later.

Yes, that’s right, I started my new job… and any idea I had about things being easy (which I actually I definitely didn’t have) were certainly laid to rest. Along with the settling in and figuring out Canada, I very suddenly had to settle in and figure out a new job. Thus, no blog write ups.

But today is Gavin’s Birthday, and I’m not working (well, it is Saturday) and we don’t have any specific plans. So while he snores gently away I thought I could get a few words in.

Firstly, Canada is still great. Montreal is turning out to be a really interesting place. I knew it would be, but its nice to have that confirmed. Its so different here from other Canadian and US cities, yet it still feels like North America. I feel like we are getting the best of three worlds. Firstly, this is one hundred percent Canada. Secondly, there is the influence of European culture here - specifically French and British. Lastly this is very much a north American city - Architecture, Street furniture, layout, Media, etc.

We’ve spent most of our time downtown, largely because that’s where we are staying, but we’ve really had a through look around. Despite the biblical weather (for another post I think), we’ve made a huge effort to look around different neighbourhoods, to help us with our home hunting. Turns out that Montreal is extremely walkable. Aside from the underground city (again, another post), the different neighbourhoods are close enough together and well connected by public transport that its really easy and quick to get from one to the other. So far we have looked around La Plateau, Little Italy, Mile End, NDG, Monkland Village and Westmount. (NOTE: Some of these areas are subsections of each other and overlap. I know this now. No need to correct me!)

We've also managed to sort out nearly all of the admin stuff - Social insurance numbers, health insurance, bank accounts, phones etc. All a lot easier than I expected. And we’ve found a place to live. More about that in yet another blog. Damn, so much to write about!

This is not a holiday

Thanks to Cate Elliot for the very handy map! Its got Quebec City on the other side too!

So we did some administration stuff yesterday. The acquisition of a SIN - Social Insurance Number. That, along with the actual work permit and RAMQ card (national health insurance) are the three official documents you need to live and work successfully here in Canada.

We were told to get there early and be prepared to wait as its first come first serve but, mostly due to jet-lag, by the time we got there it was touching midday... And the whole thing took more than about 45 mins. It was probably the most pleasant visit to a government administration office I've ever had. it felt more like waiting at a fancy bank.

Then, with that out of the way, we did a bit of shopping in china town. Found a very well stocked Chinese Supermarket. I can see its going to be tricky buying certain things in small quantities - I had to buy a sack of Pak Choi for instance - but I'm sure we can cope.

Its also interesting to note the vast differences in prices from one place to another. Later in the afternoon, when we went out for a walk around la Plateau, we came across a grocery store where everything seemed to be both high quality and super cheap. But its hard to tell because of a) the exchange rate and b) the 15% tax that gets added on and c) the massive size of it all.

We actually ended up shopping at a supermarket later again. Aside from that being a favourite sport of mine, we need to get into the swing of living here, rather than treating this as a holiday. I can already feel the money running down due to constant eating out.

Saying that, I also had my first 'things are not what they seem' experience, on returning from the supermarket. little details such as buy pods of tea not teabags (pods? for a coffee machine? say whaaaat?) and what I thought was a can of chopped tomatos was a can of tomato sauce ready cooked.

that's nothing to do with things being in french btw, because everything is in both languages. that's just me not paying close enough attention.

So. Holiday mode off. Living mode on!

Poutine Poutine Poutine

And so, what is Poutine? Well, for the sake of clarity, Poutine is: chips (fries), cheese curds and gravy, with optional toppings (such as onions, mushrooms, peppers etc.)

Of course, I knew this. Having spent the last couple of years hanging around with The gravy Train boys up in Sheffield, I've eaten a lot of Poutine and have slowly started to gain some expertise. But if you come to Quebec... well this is where it comes from originally, so its a bit like going to India after having eaten high street curries in England. No offence boys but... this is next level over here.

And if you ask anyone where the best Poutine comes from, they will tell you to go to 'La Banquise'. This restaurant has been serving Poutine since the 1980s and has a huge variety on its menu. Perhaps more remarkably, its open 24/7, 364 days of the year. So last night we went for a late evening walk across town, to get stuck in.

I went for 'La Classique' with added hot peppers and Gavin had a 'La Mart'. This is a Poutine with bacon, Mushrooms, Onions and hot dogs on it. Yup, Hot dogs. See pictures for details.

Was it good? Damn straight! it was frickin awesome. And very large. Probably twice the portion size of the one we had the night before. Accompanied with a local microbrewery beer each, the whole lot came to $55. That's about £32 in english money. So not bad all.

Bon Matin Montreal!

Or, if you like, Good Morning Montreal! I guess today was the first day of the rest of our lives (isn't that every day?). At least for now. Anyhow, we decided it would be best spent on a walk around Town so we can get a feel for where things are, distance, etc.

After a brief WhatsApp chat with Ron & Sharon (In DC), we took a tip and walked up to Beauty's Restaurant in the Jewish quarter, for a bagel brunch. Which was totally worth it. Really good food, lovely cosy little place. I suspect that this is going to be a common description of the eateries here... and there seem to be a lot of them. On the walk up to beauty's we passed many places which peaked my hungry attention. A lot of Poutine.

Found a proper supermarket, unlike last nights more expensive place. and then took a walk - a long walk - to DNeg - where we had coffee with Lee and met the HR and Immigration team.

From there, on to downtown Montreal, via the metro system (and now we have Opus cards) to find some gloves and a good coat... and yes, I did the thing i nearly always do when I buy coats and bought the most expensive one in the store. A lovely Arc-Teryx and gloves to match. Then a little wandering around and back home.

Google Fit tells me I did 20,000 steps today. Completely knackered as I sit here and write this!

Oh Canada!

Utterly smooth flight and arrival. No issues with immigration or customs. We made it.

The apartment we've been allocated is quite nice. Well appointed and very cosy one bedroom apartment, very close to Place du Arts, near downtown Montreal. The building has a fitness centre, Laundry and sits right on top of one of the many underground 'galleries' that pepper the city. And this particular 'gallerie du parc' is home to a farmers market, supermarkets and a food court which contains a  Fried Chicken and Poutine place. So that was dinner sorted.

In retrospect I think the 'gallerie' places are quite pricey - supermarket and food venues alike - but it was perfect for our first meal after a tiring journey all the way from Wandsworth Town.

Goodbye Brexit Island

Sitting on 787 dreamliner at terminal 5, Waiting to take off... To Montréal, Canada. This is it. The culmination of a very frantic, slightly unexpected, four months of feverish planning, packing, clearing out and good-byes. We - Gavin and I - are about to start a new life in the great white north.

Can't think of a better time to leave. The UK is falling apart it seems, and has generally become an unpleasant place to live. Nonsense politics, spiteful social atmosphere, all out biggotry and open racism. It really feels like the clock went back 46 years on Friday (when 'Brexit' finally happened).

But that's all I'm going to say about that. This journal is about now and the future. Onwards, eh buddy!