My "Spring" break in Montreal

View from the bus before the Canadian border, a taste of the weather outside

I took a bus to Montreal that stopped 4 times (NY, Albany, 2 stops in lost places in the state of New  York). Overall, it took more than 11 hours because the bus got stuck for an hour in a small road. I also had to go through the Canadian customs. NB. They are not super nice, kind of scary and aggressive "Where you going?", "How long and why?" -- "It's my spring break" -- "Ok, but Why are you coming and where are you staying?" They play their role really well.

First day, walking towards Old City and walking through downtown area

My first snowy China Town

I bought a dollar pair of socks in China Town, my feet felt better (it wasn't that cold though). 

Old City

Le Vieux Montreal, is on the coast of the Saint-Laurent River. A lot of restaurant looked tempting but I guess the area is touristy and so it is pricy to eat there. Instead I headed back towards China Town, it's very close to Old City and better priced.

I then walked to the Plateau, near the station Mont Royal. It's a nice area to walk through,  with the cute little shops, cafes and colorful front buildings. There is a nice atmosphere, especially with the snow. There are also a lot of thrift stores (some of them of the expensive type, which is annoying) and restaurants. 

One of the tagged houses on the Plateau

Montreal is famous for its Dépanneur, a French word that litterally means "repairman" but in Canada means convenience store. They resemble New York delis. 

Top of the rock.! Well, almost

It's definitely worth taking the time to go up city hall's tower. The observatory in itself is not very impressive, it's quite small, but you get to admire the nice view of Philadelphia's skyscrapers. Taking the elevator is also an interesting experience (I wouldn't advise if you tend to be claustrophobic though) because you get to see the structure of the tower from the inside, which is a perfect opportunity to notice the late XIXth century style. It reminded me of the Eiffel tower's old elevator.

If you are still hesitant to go, just remember that you get to see William Penn from under; I don't really know why it's supposed to be a cool thing.

Go to the visitor's center and pay the 5$ the tour costs, get your super cool orange "Tower Visitor" sticker and follow the instructions. City Hall, from the inside, is a little surrealistic... it still looks stuck in the early XXieth century. You must first go to the 7th floor, which is completely empty (no people, no noise), probably why you feel like going back in time. The guideline asking you to "follow the red line" maintains that overall impression. You finally reach the elevator, if you have to wait there is a mini exhibit about the building (the tone of the exhibit is a bit too emphatic, things more or less stating Philly's City Hall is "undeniably the most impressive building built for the people".)

Pancakes

Homemade Pancakes, Hungry Jack Mix

Lou Mitchell's breakfast dinner in Chicago 

The Amish section of the Reading Market in Philadelphia

After eating so many of them during winter break, I should probably consider writting a guide about pancakes. Even had McMorning's pancakes (they call them "hot cakes" which is quite strange) two mornnings ago. 

Tip: when you make your own pancakes, beat the eggwhites to have fluffy and airy pancakes!

Pigeons were cold too

 

LUCKY, weather was more than okay. Chicago, famous for its low temperature and cold winds was lenient when I was there. The day I took this picture it got particularly cold at the end of the day, -7°C or so. 

From Philly to DC to NYC to Chicago, winter break

Winter break, a period during which students usually go back home (sometimes for good. Bye bye to the "one semester exchange students", it was so nice meeting you ). But not all do so, including me. I thought I would take advantage of already being on the other side of the Atlantic ocean to travel more. Breaks are the only moments I chave enough time to explore farther around Philadelphia. 

Part I. 

Spending Christmas and the following days on campus. On December 26, snow fell over  Northeastern American cities. It added a very magic atmosphere to the city and to the campus especially because it is quite empty during breaks. 

Mini Christmas Chicken - Chestuts are expensive in the States so we improvised our stuffing by replacing them with red beans. Guess what, it still tasted like Xmas

Part II. 

Washington DC. This was my second time in DC, except this time I was a better tourist and visited the National Mall, its museums and saw the White House. 

The city is worth stopping by for a couple of days, the Mall is really monumental and impressive. But as compared to Philadelphia and Chicago, it lacks a little something I would call "charm". 

Part III. 

Spending the New Year's eve in New York City. I was not discovering the city for the first time and stayed a very short time so didn't visit much more. However it was the place to be in terms of meeting up with friends, many persons I had met during the semester or friends from school were there. 

On January the first I met up with Keturah, an American friend I had met at Brown more than a year and a half. It was great to catch up! 

Part IV. 

January 2nd, heading to Chicago for 4days and a half in America's capital of architecture, a reputation which revealed to be justified. It's by far one of my favorite cities. People should think of visiting it more. Of course NY is something to see, but Chicago equally deserves to be part of people's imagination when they think of America. 

It may not be next to an ocean like NYC, but Lake Michigan is big enough to feed the illusion of standing in front of a sea.  

 

Architecture, History and Art. These are the three key words to summarize what I sensed of Chicago. 

Architecture is a very obvious one, downtown is plenty of magnificient sky skrapers. The highest tower is the Willis (or Sears) Tower and the third tallest one in North America. However the best view is considered to be the one you see from the John Hancock Tower.Trump Tower at the same time and while having a glimpse of Lake Michigan. Not the tallest building, but the best way to see the the Willis and 

Tip: Instead of paying to have access to the observatory, it is worth paying a drink at the Signature Lounge on the 95th floor.

On top of the John Hancock Tower, from which "the most beautiful view of Chicago" can be seen

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History. Chicago witnessed many key events of American history and has always been a major center for industry and agriculture. Spending few dollars to visit the History Museum sounds like a good plan. Plus, you get to be next to old town which is a really cute district. That day was probably the coldest (24°F, around -7° at the end of the afternoon). 

Art now and for two reasons. Firstly, for the public pieces of art which are scattered in different corners of downtown: Calder, Miro, Picasso, DuBuffet and Chagall are few examples.

Secondly, for the Institute of Art of Chicago which gathers one the America's most impressive collection of modern European and American Art. They have Grant Wood's American Gothic for example

Calder

Buy a warm coat : check !

I am flying to Chicago for a few days after the New Year, so I needed to buy a very warm down coat before going there because it is really freezing cold and windy.

After going to the Reading Terminal Market (covered market, absolutely amazing place, great for a walk and a meal), I stopped at Macys and made a great deal: Calvin Klein down coat, dark brown with a faux fur hood, for the equivalent of 75euros.

Also, there are not enough mirrors in Macys, which is quite a problem when trying a dozen of long down coats. A little stressful to leave my hits on  the side while migrating to the mirrror - I swear, people were lurking on my selection of coats and approached them the second I walked away.

A Friend in Philly

Old City

Old City

Visitors are always a great reson to get to know Philadelphia more. My friend Helene, doing her internship in New York came for a week end during which we explored the old city together and went to the PMA, which is pay as you wish every first Sunday of the month.