Montreal

Ah Montreal.... "ma ville natale" as R. so aptly put it. I had been away for almost a year and a half... It holds lots of memories and is the home of many of my most cherished friends, not to mention family! Spending a few days here is a whirlwind of food, friends, more food, favorite restaurants, family, favorite hang outs, croissants, bagels, and really good cheese. Oh and did I mention food?

The friendships that I have left in Montreal as very special to me. They are the most long-term-long-distance relationships that I have, and such friendships that have withstood the test of time and space are incredible. Seeing M., for the first time since Hawaii, made my heart swell. Then seeing K. for the first time since California made it swell bigger. Then seeing my brother and mother for the first time since they visited me in Vancouver just made it burst. And then of course there was E., Am. and An. who I hadn't seen for a year and a half, and more and more and more people. It's like my heart was on sensory overload.

Last time I visited Montreal I didn't feel very connected to the city. This time, I felt like a tourist, marveling at all the things that I recognized, surprised at all the changes. Now, for the first time ever in my life, I am actually completely free. I can, if I feel so moved, just pack up my Vancouver home and move it back East (though just thinking of moving all my furniture gives me shivers of disgust)... so I was looking at the city with new eyes, thinking "Can I really see myself living here?" Now, before you get too excited, no I'm not planning on moving back to Montreal. I was just thinking of it, as a possibility, and it was interesting for me to realize that I actually do have that possibility.