No matter what happens anywhere in the world; some places, some cities will always keep their allure.

Such a city is Montreal in Canada.

Perhaps, it is because of its French-ness, reminding one so much about Paris. Embracing one, making one feel at home, an easily accessible guide is provided, with a translation of often used words, by grouping it in sections, eg traffic: - Arrêt (stop), Droite (right), Sens unique (one way), Ralentir (slow down) Soyes prudent (be careful) and many more.

Apart from the obvious greetings and thanking, the conversation guide also contains: Comment puis-je me render…? (How can I go…?), Quelle heure est-il? (What time is it?), Où puis-je trouver…? (Where can I find…?), pouvez-vous m’aider? (Can you help me? Quel est le prix…? (How much does it cost…?).

A general guide: Gratuit (Free), Souterrain (Underground), Salle de bain (Washroom), Renseignements (Information), Billets (tickets).

And of course, Shopping!: chaussures (shoes), comptant (cash), cuir (Leather), Etage (floor), monnaie (Change), prix réduit/rabais (discount or reduced price) and vêtements (clothing). Of course one’s ears have to be tuned to the rapid flow of words!

But perhaps it has its own specific charm.

Like Paris, I found Montreal’s streets irresistible! Immediately, I got bowled over by the beautiful fountains! Some with arresting sculptures, like one depicting a young boy and girl under an umbrella in the ‘rain’. Another favourite was of two youngsters (also a boy and girl) sitting on a park bench with enough space left for you to join them! Of course, one could also sit at sidewalk cafés, watching the world go by, or lounging in a cosy bar, at ‘happy hour’.

Montreal offers a delightful mix of the human race. A Puerto Rican lady said to me: “This is the only city that will fully accept anyone.” Apparently she had lived in many cities!

Like Paris, one of the great joys is being able to explore on foot. Walking becomes an enjoyment in itself, the added bonus being that you become fit and by working up a healthy appetite you can relish the wonderful French food in cosy bistros, served by waiters in crisp uniforms! Especially dusk is my favourite time to wander and linger, to soak up its specific ambience, when all the colours are muted, traffic diluted and human voices seem intimate.

Taking the Metro to Old Montreal, (with stations with names that sing: Lucien L Allier, Honore, Henri Bourrassa, Beaugrand, Pie- IX and Viau) another world awaits one. Eighteenth century architecture: Old Grey Nun’s Hospital, Place Royale, Old Customs House and, on top of the hill, one of the oldest buildings, the Sulpician Seminary. Next to it is Notre- Dame Basilica - neo gothic, with stained glass windows and rich ornamentation. Also beautiful is the Capelle du Sacré-Coeur.

Walking on the old cobbled street past pavement cafés, we were lured to enter quaint shops in the old buildings, with wide timber beams, wooden floors, old wooden counters and armoires selling beautiful hand-made crafts. At their backs, against walls, old porcelain and crockery were displayed on thick wooden shelves. Here we ate oatmeal biscuits with potage de joie au fromage (soup of the day –which happened to be mushroom, with cheese). Delicious! We were served at small round tables, on even smaller round chairs. Time was of no consequence…

But during the day, we explored art galleries and museums. One gallery exhibited soapstone sculptures of Indian artists, everyone with a symbolic connotation, in which Mother Earth played an important role. A tortoise was often symbolically portrayed.

The following day we again utilised the Metro to visit the 73-acre Jardin Botanique (botanical gardens) right next to the Olympic Stadium, on the hill. In this heavenly place you could ride around on a miniature train, or wander through an insectarium or marvel at the profusion of colourful flowers, or just lie on green grass watching squirrels chasing each other.