After yesterday’s failed attempt to visit the Biosphere, today I was determined to find the architectural building I had been looking for! I woke up around 10 a.m., enjoyed a lovely breakfast, and relaxed. We had to wait for the healthcare person before we could head out. Around 11:30 a.m., we left for Tim Hortons to get some wifi, as the connection at Gopal’s parents’ house had stopped working the day before due to an issue with the telephone line. Gopal, being the problem solver he is, had already called the company to schedule a fix.

Wifi at Tim Hortons

Today, Gopal had to pick up his mother from the airport, as she had just returned from India, where she had been visiting family and friends. Gopal needed to check the internet for the flight number and arrival time. We drove to Tim Hortons, parked the car, and entered the restaurant. The wifi was a bit slow, but I managed to log in on my phone. Gopal had some trouble getting his iPad connected to the internet, so I helped by searching for the flight info. Turns out, his mother had already landed at the airport.

We left, and Gopal took me to the Côte Vertu subway station. He had plans to pick up his mother and meet his cousin in the afternoon, as his cousin would be staying in Montreal for a few days at his apartment.

St Helen’s Island

Once at the subway station, I headed towards Jean-Drapeau station, located on St Helena’s Island at the other end of Montreal, right next to Old Montreal.

I arrived around 1 or 2 pm, and this time I was sure I would meet Gopal in the afternoon at the Tim Horton’s at Guy-Concordia station.

It felt warm for me since I was wearing long pants. I had expected it to be cooler outside, but I was mistaken. It didn’t matter, though – I just took it easy and relaxed more.

The Building From a Distance

I strolled around the area, checking the map. I knew where the Biosphere was, and it was easy to find.

I decided to walk around the Biosphere to find the perfect spot for a photo. Nothing felt quite right, so I ended up at the swimming pool near the subway station after making a big loop around the sphere. I was impressed by the sheer size and beauty of the white dome.

After returning to the subway station, I chose to walk in the opposite direction, away from the sphere. As I walked, I noticed many people sitting at picnic tables, and it didn’t take long to figure out why.

Flying Acrobats

There were small food stalls, but they were all closed. It seemed like there had either been a festival or one was coming soon. Either way, today was peaceful and quiet. At the end of the path, I came across a large, artistic statue. Behind it, I had a beautiful view of Old Montreal and noticed the boulevard where Gopal and I had enjoyed a drink the other day.

As I walked back, I noticed a crowd watching two acrobats soaring through the air. I decided it was time to find a spot in the shade. I would visit the Biosphere later. I asked at a nearby restaurant if they had wifi, but they didn’t, so I passed on having a drink there. Instead, I grabbed a Coke from one of the many vending machines nearby. I found a bench next to the information center and checked for networks. To my surprise, the center offered free wifi. What a win—a Coke for three dollars, a shady bench, and free wifi. I settled in and relaxed while chatting with my little brother back home.

The Sphere From Up Close

After about thirty minutes, I decided to continue and head back to the Biosphere. First, I stopped by the information center to use the restrooms. While I was there, I figured I’d ask the man sitting behind the desk for some advice. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem too eager to help. I asked if he knew of any good viewpoints for the biosphere, and he simply replied that there weren’t any.

I took a different route back to the Biosphere, passing by the pond (as seen in the last picture above). As I got closer, I noticed that the structure didn’t have any glass.

I went inside the Biosphere to use the restroom and wandered around for a bit. After some thought, I decided not to buy a ticket for the attraction—it was just another exhibit about the environment, and I felt I had seen enough of those.

Back to Guy-Concordia

After my visit to the Biosphere, I made my way back to the subway and decided to head to Guy-Concordia. I planned to walk around there, kill some time, and grab a bite to eat.

Once I arrived, I wandered in a random direction. Fortunately, I stumbled upon Tim Hortons at the end of the street. As I walked, I also passed Angela’s, the restaurant where Kim, Gopal and I had eaten the night before.

I found a subway across the street and spent some time there. Afterward, I headed back to Tim Hortons.

Live Piano Music

In the small courtyard across the street, there was a piano. I walked over with my refill drink, grateful that Canada allowed refills, especially since everything was more expensive here than in the US. Later, I learned it was due to the higher taxes in Canada.

I sat down and listened to a few people playing the piano. It was pleasant in the sun, and I was able to unwind despite the bustling surroundings.

At around 5:20 pm, I stood waiting in front of Tim Hortons, by the bus stop, thinking that Gopal would pick me up right there, in front of the store.

Phone Fiasco

Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, it was 5:45 pm. I started to worry and tried the payphone behind me. My phone was nearly out of battery—just 5% left—and I knew I had to act fast. I put in a two-dollar coin, dialed the number, but nothing happened. I tried again, and again. After wasting 8 dollars, I switched to my credit card, which finally worked. I was able to make the call, but Gopal’s number wasn’t connecting. I was certain I had the right number—it was the same one I had used to reach him at Cote Vertu when I first arrived in Montreal.

I decided to go inside and write down Gopal’s number, along with my reservation number for the Greyhound bus later that night. It was only stored on my phone, and I knew I’d be in serious trouble if I didn’t have it for the bus. The girl behind the counter was kind enough to give me a pen and paper. Outside, there was a large crowd gathering, and I had no idea what was happening. More and more people showed up, and soon the police arrived. “What the heck is going on?” I thought. People were shouting, and I heard something about Palestine. That’s when it clicked—I hadn’t been keeping up with the news for a while, so I had no idea what it was all about.

When Gopal Answered Before I Could

The phone still wasn’t working, and the credit card didn’t go through. I walked back to the store and asked if I could use their phone. The girl was incredibly hospitable, and I really appreciated that. I offered to pay for the call, but she wouldn’t hear of it. I dialed Gopal’s number, and just as I did, he walked into the store, haha. He answered the phone, and I laughed, saying, “Hey!” He looked at me from both sides, and we both cracked up. I hung up and thanked the girl. Gopal explained he was stuck in traffic—it was around 6 pm by then.

Mount-Royal

The plan was to visit the lookout at Mount-Royal, which was nearby, but traffic wasn’t on our side. We finally reached the spot around 6:15 pm. Gopal walked at a quick pace, and I kept up, knowing I had to be at the bus station by 7. We found the lookout easily, and I absolutely loved the view. While Gopal went to the restroom, I took the chance to start snapping photos.

When he returned, Gopal started explaining the buildings around us and what each one was—one was a hospital, another a university. He also pointed out the three main bridges of Montreal, which was awesome. It felt like having my very own personal tour guide.

Ice Cream and Goodbyes

We had some ice cream, and afterward, I went to use the toilets. They were located in a beautiful mansion, and I couldn’t resist snapping a few pictures of the interior. Outside, I waited and took some close-up shots. Soon, I noticed Gopal heading my way, so I captured a few shots of him too.

Afterward, we had to head out. Once again, traffic was heavy, and it took a while to get to the bus station. We finally arrived around 7 pm, and we said our goodbyes. Gopal mentioned that one day he’d make it to Europe, though he wasn’t sure when. Update: he did in 2019.

Waiting For the Greyhound Bus

I got my ticket at the booth and settled in, everything going according to plan. I decided to use the Wi-Fi and unwind for a bit. Around 8 pm, I headed to the terminal and took a seat. I was scrolling through Facebook when I noticed a girl sit down next to me. She looked a bit upset, so I subconsciously mirrored her actions. I tend to do that when I see someone angry, haha.

A guy sitting across from us in the corner asked something in French. “I’m sorry, I don’t speak French,” the girl replied, sounding a bit agitated, at least in my view. It caught me off guard because she looked like she might be from Quebec or France. The guy then switched to English and asked her to watch his bags. She agreed and even told some other travelers to vacate his seat.

Meeting Sofia

About 30 minutes later, people were told to board, so nearly everyone stood up. We formed a line, but after about 10 minutes, they announced over the microphone that they were only boarding passengers for the 8:30 pm bus. I made a sarcastic remark, which sparked a conversation. The guy was heading elsewhere, but the girl was also going to Toronto.

The French guy left after about 5 minutes and caught the 8:30 pm bus after all. Sofia and I continued talking, and before long, we were discussing travel. She was in Montreal for a short trip but lived in Toronto. Her name was Sofia, and she was from Sweden. We chatted for a while, but that’s a story for tomorrow.