July 7 Ottawa - Montreal

Woke at 6 Rita at 7. Practiced driving to our hotel, Habitations du Vieux 401 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montréal, on Google Earth. It is in Old Montreal. Thought there would be a lot of one way streets in the neighborhood, so I thought I should practice.. I was right. Figured out how to park right in front of the hotel. It wont be nearly as bad as Granada, or Vienna.

No such luck, it was impossible to park anywhere near the hotel. The streets were full, all the parking lots were full. Drove around several times, finally found a parking spot a block away. Took out our suitcases and started dragging them on the sidewalk. Went around the corner. Looked back, no Rita. Waited for 5-10 seconds. No Rita. Turned around and went back. There was Rita coming, but I could see one of her pant legs was soiled. I asked if she had fallen. She said she had tripped on something.

At the front door of the hotel we knocked on the door. Nothing. There was a keypad. Tried "0" nothing. Finally a young couple came out who spoke very little English. They said the manager had a store at 24 Rue Saint Paul, just around the corner. Rita went and soon the front door was opened.

He gave us room 302 which was fine and we started settling in. I went back to the car to get another load of luggage. As I was coming in the front door a lady, who I assume was of higher authority, said that we had been given the wrong room, and actually our room was on the 5th floor. She took me to room 501 which was much larger and nicer than 302. We moved everything up to our Penthouse suite and then went to take the car back to Hertz.

Returned the car to Hertz on Drummond street, and then started walking back to the hotel. Just around the corner noticed a statue of Guy Lafleur. Looked at the building, it was the Bell Center, the home of the Habs.

Took pictures of all the Montreal Canadien greats.

When we got back to our apartment, phoned Dean. They were at Notre Dame, which is only a block from us. Met, Tina and Dean on the square in font of the basilica. Dean phoned the kids who were somewhere else and they showed up after a while. Tina and Dean toured the Basilica while we were waiting. When the kids got there they decided to take the tour. We had seen so many Basilicas and Cathedrals  that we were not interested. Hana came back in 5-10 minutes. Joshua was impressed and took longer. They convinced us that it is worth while seeing, so we will take the tour during our stay.

After Joshua came back we decided to go to Swartz's Deli, a famous Hebrew Deli here in Montreal. Started walking and decided to stop by at Tina and Deans place on the way. Joshua found Steve's music store on the way. A humongous music store taking up a whole city block. He wanted to browse around the store. Agreed to meet at the apartment. Had snacks and wine.

After Josh showed up we decided to head out to the Deli. Joshua and Hanna said they would catch up with us. Saw a Hungarian Deli on the way.

Decided to look into the window on the way back.

Arrived at Swartz's and stood in line for about 15 minutes. The Kids decided not to come.

The internet reviews were raving. Tina and Dean said, the locals were raving about the smoked beef sandwich at Swartz's. Finally got in.

We each ordered, a smoked beef sandwich, of course. Tina just smoked beef. Pickles, fries, coleslaw.

Some famous band or a singer from a famous Vancouver band came in. I think it was "Trooper". Dean seemed impressed. It didn't fizz on us.

Sandwiches have about an inch of smoked beef between 2 pieces of Canadian Rye bread a little mustard. The Pickles were salty the beef was salty, even the French fries, which Rita had sprinkled with Swartze's spice, was salty. On top of that, the Deli is not licensed, so we had to drink Cherry Coke.

Wished we had stopped at the Hungarian Deli and had a Yummy Blood Sausage or anything. Not impressed.

While we were eating, one of the waiters dropped a plate beside us. While looking at the broken plate on the ground, I noticed the kickboard under the counter was pulled back. There was dirt, and I'm not talking recent dirt, behind it. I don't think this place could pass a health inspection in BC. It is definitely not "Kosher".

Tina and Dean took some takeout for the Kids. Don't want to sound anti-Semitic, but it has to be said. I personally, was totally disappointed. And I think, the consensus is, I'm not alone.

On the way back we were talking, and missed looking in the window of the Hungarian restaurant. It would have been interesting to see what they sell.

Tina and Dean went to their apartment and we agreed to meet at ours. Asked them to phone when they got there, so I could let them in.

Waited and waited. Rita finally decided to phone to see what was happening. No answer. Soon after the phone rang. Dean told Rita that they had been outside the front door for about 20 minutes, and our phone was busy. They were on their way home.

They decided to come back and look at our place. Tina, Dean and Joshua were here in a few minutes. Hanna decided to stay home.

Had some wine, looked at one of the videos Joshua had produced on our website. They didn't know of the website. Went to bed after 12:30.