Seeing the city
15 July, 2003
| Montréal is a beautiful old city, and it was delightful to walk around and see the different lively neighborhoods and the downtown area when we weren't having meetings. |
 The day I arrived, I heard music and found a downtown street fair in full swing a few blocks from the hotel where we had our meetings. Thousands of people took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a sunny Sunday afternoon. Here two girls watch some balloon creations take shape. |
 Dozens of exhibitors showed their wares along the four or five blocks that were cordoned off to regular traffic. Stores and individual artists offered their wares to the public while various musicians entertained the crowds. |
 Montréal Biosphere is a distinguishing landmark in a huge urban park spread across two islands in the St. Lawrence River. Inside the Biosphere is the world's only major exhibition dedicated to fresh water. |
 At the end of one of the islands, an old fort still overlooks the St. Lawrence River. A huge bridge, probably not even imaginable in the colonial days, arches over the fort and the islands. The three flags represent Canada, the city of Montréal, and the province of Quebec. |