A Quick Trip to Montreal
Life often throws unexpected adventures our way, and this past week, we found ourselves on a quick, two-night trip to Montreal for our #3 son’s green card interview. It was a stressful few days prior (including our daughter-in-law having to courier their original marriage license from their home in Virginia a couple of days prior.) But what began as a brief and somewhat stressful mission turned into a memorable time away.
We checked into the Nouvelle Hotel, which was conveniently located near the U.S. Consulate. The hotel was in the perfect spot for easy access to everything. It felt like we were right in the heart of downtown Montreal, surrounded by tons of great restaurants and lively city energy.
After settling in, we decided to take a leisurely walk around the area and to grab some dinner. We were pretty tired from the long drive, so we were happy to grab something quick - Montreal smoked meat sandwhiches! The food was delicious, but it didn’t quite take away our nervous energy. #3 son had his green card interview first thing in the morning, and I think we all tossed and turned that night.
Day 2: The Big Day – Green Card Interview
Our son had to be at the U.S. Consulate by 7:30 a.m. He had some minor complications - including needing to go and get some new passport photos as the ones they provided with the application, two years ago, had expired - but the interview itself was surprisingly quick. It lasted a mere five minutes, and before we knew it, we were celebrating his approval. What a huge stress relief for both our son and daughter-in-law!
With that milestone behind us, we decided to enjoy Old Montreal. The afternoon was filled with strolling through cobblestone streets and taking in the city’s historic charm. Our first stop was the Notre-Dame Basilica, a true gem of Montreal.
Located in the heart of Old Montreal, the Notre-Dame Basilica is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. This beautiful Gothic Revival church, built in the 1820s, has this incredible wooden interior, a stunning blue-and-gold ceiling, and gorgeous stained-glass windows that tell the story of Montreal’s past. The whole place has such a calm, peaceful vibe, making it the perfect spot to just sit and take a breath after the excitement of the morning. We hung out for a bit, soaking in the architecture and the quiet. Right before we left, we got lucky and caught a short pipe organ concert. It was amazing and made the experience more special.
After the basilica, we just strolled- through the charming pedestrian streets of Old Montreal. There are so many cute cafes, little shops, and art galleries to pop into, and the Old Port has these gorgeous views of the St. Lawrence River. We took our time, enjoying the slow pace of the afternoon, and ended up at a street café for a late lunch. Nothing fancy, just good, simple food that hit the spot after the morning’s excitement. It was exactly what we needed to unwind.
No trip to Montreal is complete without a visit to La Banquise, the infamous poutine spot known for its late-night crowds and massive variety of poutine toppings. Wanting to avoid the long lines, we waited until after 9 p.m., but even then, we still had a 20-minute line-up out the door to get a seat. It was well worth the wait. The poutine was amazing - crispy fries, gooey cheese curds, and rich, savory gravy that was just perfect. It was the perfect way to end our quick trip to Montreal.
The next morning, we were up early to start the 6-hour drive back home. The trip was a success in so many ways, not just because of the green card interview, but also because we got to spend some quality time with our son before he officially moves to the United States. It felt like a bittersweet moment, knowing things are about to change, but also feeling grateful for these few days together.
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