Today, I was set to arrive in Montreal, Canada, where I would stay with my friend Gopal. Around 5 am, we completed customs at the Canadian border. The customs officer didn’t ask to see any return tickets but instead posed a series of questions. She inquired about my reasons for visiting, whether I had friends here, if I was carrying money, how much, and if I had brought any souvenirs. After a brief chat, she seemed satisfied, and I was allowed to proceed without any issues.

Dutch Landscapes?

Back on the bus with everyone else, we continued the journey. I couldn’t help but admire the landscape—it felt surprisingly familiar, reminding me of the trips I used to take from Amsterdam to my hometown. A long road stretched out through vast grasslands, though the absence of cows gave it a distinctly different feel.

Around 5:45 am, we crossed the bridge leading into Montreal. The skyline was breathtaking, and I realized the city was much larger than I had anticipated.

Exhausted and feeling like a zombie, I was desperate for some sleep. At the bus terminal, I quickly retrieved my bag and noticed that the subway was conveniently connected. After walking down the long hallway, I purchased a ticket. I considered getting a three-day pass but decided to hold off until I knew more about Gopal’s plans for the next few days. After all, I’d be staying with him for four days and wanted to see how the schedule unfolded.

Gopal

Gopal was someone I’d met long ago in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia—it felt like a lifetime ago. Charismatic and inspiring, he was one of the most remarkable people I’d encountered during my travels. We shared a love for the same music and agreed on most things, which made our conversations effortless. He had a knack for talking endlessly, spinning stories and ideas for hours on end—something I found both impressive and entertaining. Now, being in Montreal, I felt a buzz of excitement. I hadn’t looked up many pictures of the city online, so I was ready to be pleasantly surprised by what lay ahead.

Montreal’s Public Transport System

I bought a single metro ticket and was pleasantly surprised as soon as I stepped inside. The station was clean, modern, and elegantly designed, with a straightforward layout. The subway map was easy to navigate, and the whole system reminded me of Singapore’s MRT—though on a smaller scale.

Most of the stations had French names, reflecting one of the official languages of Quebec, the province I was in. Later, Gopal would share fascinating insights about the French-speaking population and the separatist movement advocating for Quebec’s independence from Canada.

I was heading to Côte-Vertu, the final stop on the orange line, where I planned to meet Gopal. He had given me his number so I could call him when I arrived. Without a SIM card, I figured I’d sort out a solution once I got there.

The subway station was incredibly clean and modern, which continued to impress me. The French names of the stations added to that feeling of being in a different country, and the people around me were speaking French too.

Côte Vertu

I arrived at Côte Vertu 20 minutes later, stepping outside to find the area completely empty—it was still early, around 6:30 am. Near the exit, I spotted a payphone and felt a sense of relief, as my problem was solved effortlessly. Using the screenshot of our Facebook conversation, I dialed Gopal’s number. It was one of those solutions I had to figure out on the spot since I no longer had internet access.

He told me he’d be there in 20 minutes, so I sat on a rock across the street and passed the time by taking a few pictures.

The Reunion

Gopal arrived, and I instantly recognized him—he looked exactly as I remembered from our time in Malaysia. I tossed my backpack and daypack into the backseat and greeted him warmly; it felt so great to see him again. We decided to head to the McDonald’s next to the subway station to sit down and catch up. Later, we grabbed some breakfast.

Gopal was dealing with some family issues at the moment, but he was managing well. His father had been facing difficulties, which is why we were staying at his place instead of his apartment. It was reassuring to hear that Gopal was doing okay despite the challenges. He had been caring for his father over the past nine weeks, which had been quite stressful for him.

Breakfast

We had some great conversations at McDonald’s, where I shared the details of the rough journey I’d just had, explaining how I hadn’t slept at all on the bus. Afterward, we headed back to his parents’ home in Saint Laurent.

After our breakfast at McDonald’s, we made our way to his house, which was just a 15-minute drive from the Côte Vertu subway station.

Nap Time

Gopal’s father, a kind and cheerful elderly Indian man, greeted me with a warm smile. It was clear that caring for his father required much of Gopal’s time, and I truly appreciated his effort to still show me around and share his city. The days ahead promised to be full of fun and exploration.

Gopal asked if I wanted to rest, and I gladly agreed. His father woke up, and I was introduced to him. Gopal then prepared my bed upstairs in a small room. It had one of those neat sofa beds that stretched out, which took up most of the space, but it was fine. The room was filled with books and had a large window. I thanked Gopal for everything. In about three hours, we would be heading out.

When I woke up, I realized I had slept through my alarm. I quickly got dressed and met Gopal downstairs—it was time to leave. He had someone from a healthcare organization taking care of his father. Our first stop was Gopal’s workplace, where he needed to hand a car battery to a colleague. Gopal worked for a marketing company. The building itself was impressive, and I couldn’t help but be fascinated by the reflections in the mirrors.

Afterwards, Gopal took me to see the Saint Joseph Oratory of Mount Royal. We drove there and parked in the nearby neighborhood.

Saint Joseph Oratory of Mount Royal

The cathedral’s architecture was breathtaking, and I absolutely loved it—it reminded me of Montmartre in Paris. As we walked up the stairs, Gopal explained that the center staircase was reserved for those who wanted to ascend on their knees as an act of religious devotion.

We made our way to the first level, and I was already captivated. The glowing candles, the intricate stained glass windows, and the stunning architecture left me in awe. By the end of my visit, I knew this cathedral would rank among the top three churches I had ever seen.

It was clear that Gopal had visited the oratory several times before, as he was eager to head straight to the higher levels. I was already amazed by the beauty of the rooms we’d seen, but there was even more to explore. After the candle-lit room, we turned left and took the escalator to the next level. “They have escalators here!” I exclaimed in surprise. I had never seen something like that in a cathedral.

Platform and More Surprises

We stepped through a door that led us to the observation platform on the next level. The views were decent, though there wasn’t much to see on this side of the city. A few days later, I’d have the chance to enjoy a much better view overlooking Old Montreal.

We ascended the stairs leading to the main hall of the church, with Gopal enthusiastically guiding the way. I was in awe as soon as we stepped inside. The symmetry was breathtaking, and the interior instantly reminded me of my visit to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona years ago. However, unlike the ever-expanding Sagrada Familia, this building was complete, which made me appreciate it even more. Some say the Sagrada Familia might never be finished, but this masterpiece felt timeless and whole.

After our visit, we descended all the stairs, taking in the grandeur of the cathedral one last time. I captured a few more close-up shots of the building and its surroundings, but I’ll save those details for another time—there’s still so much more to share.

A Quick Tour Around Montreal

After a quick bathroom stop and grabbing a Coke, we were back on the road. Gopal was now driving me to Old Montreal. Along the way, he enthusiastically shared details about the city, explaining the different neighborhoods and their significance. While I appreciated his effort, it all felt like a blur to me. Without a map, internet, or any prior planning, Montreal was just an unfamiliar maze. The subway was my only point of orientation. By the end of my four-day stay, I had a better grasp of the city, but it still remained a bit of a puzzle.

As we drove toward downtown, I was treated to stunning views of the cityscape. Montreal felt like a blend of Paris, London, and American influences all rolled into one. Gopal pointed out various landmarks, including the buildings where he had studied and the neighborhoods we were passing through. He explained that Montreal was home to a rich mix of nationalities, with distinct areas like Little Italy showcasing its cultural diversity.

Arrival in Old Montreal

Gopal gave me an amazing tour of the city, sharing an incredible amount of knowledge about Montreal. His insights were impressive, but I’ll save the details for later and let the pictures do the talking for now.

We arrived and parked the car on a street in Old Montreal, ready to visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Gopal mentioned that, while the exterior wasn’t particularly striking, the real beauty lay inside. He described it as more artistic and even more stunning than the interior of the Saint Joseph Oratory. I couldn’t wait to see it for myself, especially since the day had already started on such a high note.

We passed by a café/hotel that was showing the game – Germany versus Brazil. I was cheering for Germany, as I liked their team and was hoping for a Dutch-German final.

Place d’Armes

Gopal was on the phone for a few minutes while we continued walking. When he hung up, he realized we had been going the wrong way, so we turned around. Once back at the café/hotel, I told Gopal I wanted to take a picture of the bar. There were Brazilian fans there, and they didn’t look happy at all.

As confused as I was, I looked at the score – 4-0!! We had only been gone for 5 or 10 minutes, and Germany had already dominated Brazil. I couldn’t help but laugh, while hoping that the Netherlands would win their match tomorrow. Of course, they wouldn’t.

We walked for about 10 minutes and arrived at Place d’Armes, a square right in front of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. I enjoyed the view and took a few photos.

A Walk to the Canal

Gopal knew there was usually free entry, but not at this time. It was past 4 pm, and free admission was only available earlier in the day. I would have to come back later, but it didn’t bother me.

Instead, we took a walk by the canal, and I loved it. The temperature was perfect, around 25 degrees, much more comfortable than New York’s heat. We then sat down on the terrace of Vieux-Port, a stylish restaurant/bar.

We ordered a couple of drinks and spent some time chatting. It felt great to catch up with Gopal. As we talked, we made plans for the evening—he was heading to a bar, and we’d meet his girlfriend, Alessia, there.

As we walked back to the car, Gopal noticed a piece of paper tucked under the windshield wipers. It was hilarious because he had parked perfectly fine. Neither of us could figure out what the note’s writer was complaining about. I couldn’t resist joking, “Let’s track him down using his credit card number and leave a note under his wipers next time!”

Having Drinks at a Metal Bar

Back at the house, we had dinner—some delicious pasta. I loved it; Gopal was a great cook. I thanked him for everything; his hospitality was truly exceptional.

Later that evening, we headed into the city to meet Alessia at a metal café. I asked Gopal what time we’d be back, and he said around midnight, which sounded perfect to me. After such a full day, I was already feeling pretty worn out.

I really enjoyed the metal bar—they were playing some great music. The place wasn’t too crowded, as most of the people were upstairs on the second level, which required an entrance fee. The beer in Canada was noticeably expensive, but I wasn’t too surprised since I knew the taxes here made things pricier compared to the U.S.

Graffiti Toilet

I didn’t have my camera with me, which was a bit of a letdown, so I made do with my phone for photos. The toilets were covered in graffiti, adding to their already grungy, dirty vibe—kind of amusing, really. By the time I was snapping pictures in there, I was definitely a little tipsy. Looking back, I could easily imagine someone getting annoyed and throwing a punch if they thought I was photographing them mid-pee, haha.

Meeting Alessia

We waited about 30 minutes before Alessia finally joined us. It turned out she had been sitting at another table the whole time, deep in conversation with someone about work. She spotted us first and came over to explain that she needed to wrap up her discussion before joining us. Alessia was Italian, and it was evident in her demeanor. She played the piano, which was the topic of her conversation with the guy—apparently, he was offering her a job. Gopal, on the other hand, was a drummer and part of a band. He was talented, and I’d get to see him and his band, The Chair Warriors, perform live tomorrow. I couldn’t wait!

After about five minutes, Alessia returned to our table, and we ordered more drinks. The night turned out to be a lot of fun, filled with laughter and good conversation. We ended up staying out longer than planned, finally making it back to Gopal’s parents’ house at around 1:15 a.m.

I had a Coke to help sober up before heading to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day—we had plans to take care of a few things for Gopal’s apartment, watch the Netherlands-Argentina match, and end the evening by seeing the Chair Warriors perform live.