Meet "Daniella"

Another great lady that I met at Laura's birthday in Montreal...(check my post "Meet Laura" published on Feb 23)
When I arrived with my friend Hadi to Laura's birthday party, Daniella was the first person greeting us at the door, and since she didn't see Hadi for some time so they were happy catching up and of course when she knew I moved to Canada few month ago she asked me how is it going so far, if I like it, if settled in, if enjoying it..

And then she was kind enough to introduce me to most of the people at the party, invite me to the buffet and ensure I was enjoying food and drinks.
I had a great time with them. We danced to "Happy birthday Laura!" I left with some wonderful stories and with a longing to meet them all again.

Meet "Juliette & Chocolat"

Last day in Montreal, I was saying bye to my friend Hadi, we had a short time for a coffee, but instead we decided to indulge in some hot chocolate..

Even though while I was walking taking pictures alone, I passed next to "Juliette & Chocolat" but I forced myself not to get in trying to save some calories.. But when Hadi mentioned it and how good it is, I was super tempted and couldn't resist..

And the rest is hot chocolate, chocolate fondant and lots of calories but the type of ones you don't regret of having at all..

If I had more time in Montreal, I would have definitely done it again, and with a very clear conscious this time..I love chocolate.. What can I do..

Now let's hope Juliette & Chocolat will open in Toronto, even if this means doubling my time at the gym.. Anyway I lost hope with being fit.. So few more calories.. Who's counting?

Meet "Paloma & Nancy"

As I mentioned in my previous two posts, I got my ticket for Ane Brun concert at the last minute and I didn't mind going alone, so when I reached the venue, I picked an empty table, had a glass of wine and took a seat, but had 3 empty seats on the same table, and a bit before the concert two ladies asked me if they can share the table with me..and "of course" was my answer..

They got a bottle of wine and they insisted on me sharing a drink with them.. We tried to have a quick chat before the concert started, and we kept talking a bit between the songs..

Paloma lives in Montreal, and Nancy lives in Ottawa, they both work for the police, this is how they met and became close friends.. And Nancy was visiting Paloma and they decided to attend the concert..

Paloma and Nancy were extremely friendly, I felt as if I knew them for quite some time and they definitely made me enjoy even more the concert without feeling odd of being alone, and it was much nicer to share with them our enjoyment with the wonderful performance of Linnea Olsson and Ane Brun.

Meet "Da Silva"

Ok.. Time for a bit of drama..
It was February 14, Valentine's day.. I was enjoying a walk alone in Montreal, taking pictures, especially of the beautiful graffitis on St Catherine street and St Laurent street, it was around lunch time, and I felt Like have a bite, so passed cross this little restaurant, looked from the window and was attracted but the charming interior, it was a Portuguese restaurant.. Da Silva, Grillades Portugaises..

They had at the door a poster with a special offer that day for couples.. And here I had this dramatic look on my face.. What about the single people like me? But still I walked in and ordered a grilled salmon with rice and vegetables.. It was great.. And the ambiance was super cosy and warm and the staff very friendly..

I enjoyed my meal, payed and left wishing that next year I won't be alone, so if I'm in Montreal I'll be definitely going again to this restaurant but at least I can get their special Valentine's deal :)

Joke aside, if you're in Montreal and feel like having Portuguese grills, give Da Silva a shot, I'm sure you'll enjoy it the way I did.

Meet "Linnea Olsson"

I shared yesterday in my post "Meet Ane Brun" how I booked my ticket for her concert at Salle L'Astral and how excited I was to attend that concert..

And while waiting for Ane to go on stage, a beautiful women wearing black, holding a cello came on stage, and started playing.. It was like magic.. And then she introduced herself.. Linnea Olsson, a Swedish Cellist.. it was the first time I heard of her..

She continued playing her music and started singing.. My God.. She had a very charming voice.. You can't get enough of it.. And I was so happy when she mentioned that we can get her first album "Ah" at the door.. Which I did.. The entire album is composed of only Olsson’s velvet, gravityless vocals and her cello.

After few songs, she left the stage for Ane, but then joined her again playing the cello and contributing with vocals.. They made a fantastic duo on stage

I was so happy discovering a new artist, a real talent, which I became a fan and we'll be definitely looking forward for more of her.. More songs, more cello music, and more outstanding performance.

Meet "Ane Brun"

Last year, My dear friend Michael downloaded for me three CDs for Ane Brun, and strongly recommended that I listen to her songs and her great voice.. It was the first time I hear of her, and I was so pleased with this discovery as I really fell in love with her amazing voice and her music.. And I started following her on Facebook to know know her updates and her latest releases..

Ane Brun is a Norwegian international songwriter, guitarist and vocalist. Since 2003 she has recorded eight albums, six of which are studio albums and one live DVD. She has lived in Stockholm, Sweden since 2001, where she writes, records and runs her own label (Balloon Ranger Recordings) when not on tour.

And couple of weeks ago I discovered she's coming to Canada in a tour and three concerts between Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, and that weekend I was supposed to be in Montreal, so I looked for tickets but didn't book one waiting for my friend to confirm if he will join.. Then I kept postponing and the night I arrived to Montreal first thing I did is calling TicketMaster to check if there is any tickets left so they informed me that I have to call the venue as I'm calling super late..

I called L'Astral, where the concert is taking place, and I was so happy to know that there is 4 tickets left so I urged them to keep one for me as they don't take payment through the phone and I rushed to get mine..

By mistake I took the west side of Saint Catherine street where I had to go east, and when I realized I'm heading in the wrong direction I started running like a crazy in super cold Montreal until I reached the venue and got my ticket (huge smile)..

My mobile battery was dying, and I thought I need to take some picture of the concert, I had an hour left before the concert so I rushed to the hotel where I plugged it on the charger for 20 min and ran back to Salle L'Astral..

The venue wasn't huge but the ambiance was really warm and cosy, had a glass of wine waiting for Ane to come on stage..
I was alone but I was feeling so happy.. Listening to her wonderful voice knowing all the songs and enjoying her pleasant character..
I didn't want the concert to end -the whole audience didn't want it to end- and make her go on stage again for another round of 4 songs..

I will not talk much about her golden voice.. Her songs and let you enjoy few links..
After this concert I became a bigger fan of Ane, and her songs are my friends making my moments more enjoyable every time I listen to them.

Ane brun "One"

Ane brun "Do you remember"

Meet "Au Kouign-Amann"

Before going to Montreal, I agreed with my friend and ex colleague Bassem that we have to meet at least for a coffee to catch up, and discuss so far our experiences in Canada.. Bassem left Dubai around 8 month ago and moved with his family to Montreal.

So in my second day in Montreal, Bassem called me early morning and didn't accept to let me take a cab, so he picked me up from the hotel, and he asked me if I have any preference for breakfast, and being very flexible when it comes to food told him I'm fine with anything, so he decided to take me to a small cosy bakery where everything is so yummi..

We went to "Au Kouign-Amann" on 322 Rue Mont-Royal E, Montreal, a very modest place, when you look at it from outside, nothing fancy, and you can feel the charm this place has from its facade and once you're in you got taken by the wonderful smell, and your eyes feel already full from the delicious pastries..

It took us some time to decide what to order, and between the two of us we ordered four different pastries and they were all incredible so we enjoyed our hour there, having our coffee and catching up and sharing our stories from Montreal and Toronto and Bassem telling me how his kids are adapting to the new life in Canada..
And then Bassem was kind enough and offered to drop me to Laval to visit my cousin and her family..

I loved Au Kouign Amann, so unpretentious, simple and fantastic..So next time you're in Montreal and feel like having a good breakfast, do not miss!!!

Meet "Laura"

I was very excited about my weekend in Montreal to catch up with my cousin, with my friend Hadi coming from New York to visit his parents, and on top of that to discover this beautiful city, its cultural scene, its night life and of course meet new friends..

After a five hours trip by train from Toronto, I arrived to Bonne Aventure station, and walked to my hotel which was a 10 minutes walk but the crazy cold made it feel like hours, and I couldn't wait to reach my room at Espresso Hotel and feel a bit warmer..

An hour later, my friend Hadi arrived to my hotel, I was so happy to see him after almost a year and a half and the plan was to join him to the birthday party of his close friend Laura..
So we went to the Vieux Port to a nice venue, Espace 64, with beautiful artistic pieces, and nice music and of course met Laura, her husband and lots of her friends..

At the beginning I was a bit shy, not knowing anyone except Hadi, but people were extremely welcoming and friendly and half an hour later I was talking to most of them, and as usually being to new immigrant they were all making sure I'm fine, well settled and managing to handle to cold and the snow, especially in Montreal, where it's was colder and a lot more snow than Toronto..

Laura was very sweet, happy surrounded by her friends, she kept making sure we're all having drinks and enjoying the food, and by midnight it was the time to cut the cake, so we all wished her happy birthday and then she delivered an emotional speech thanking her friends and parents for always being there for her..

We kept dancing till around 2am and then I left with Hadi to catch a cab..
It was a great evening, celebrating Laura's birthday with great people and I hoped to see them all soon in my next visit to Montreal.

Meet "Karim"

Meeting Karim was different from the other friends I met so far.. I met karim virtually and not in person yet.. but Toronto is behind the reason I met karim..

My friend Zina sent me a message introducing Karim, a friend of hers, he decided to leave Lebanon and move to Canada but he is confused where to move between Toronto or Montreal, and he wanted to ask some questions about the city as he’s never been here before and he can’t make up his mind.. lots of people convinced him to move to Montreal, especially that he’s fluent in French and he has family there, but he’s more leaning towards Toronto, so he need to talk to someone..

I met Karim through Skype and I made it clear to him that I moved here less that 3 month ago, so I can help him with what I know so far, and I felt happy that I managed to answer most of his questions, and I found myself a big fan of Toronto and I kind of assured him that picking Toronto is the right decision, and shared with him my short experience so far.. we talked about rent, condos, continuing education, subway, expenses, art scene as he’s an illustrator, night life and of course the beautiful weather J

We added each other on Facebook, and told karim to feel free to ask me any question he has before taking his final decision and wished him the best of luck and hoped to meet him for real soon in Toronto.

And if you like to have a look at Karim’s page on Facebook look at Karim Al-Dahdah illustration studio.. a really nice talent.. https://www.facebook.com/karimaldahdahillustration

Or check his website: www.Karimaldahdah.com