Changing Pace

Seems like a while since I've had a weekend to kind of relax and explore the city again. Nice change from the typical "club-poutine-wake up at noon" routine.

The Jazz Festival lives up to all the hype. All of the shows are in one fenced off area, where you can buy beer, walk around, and check out one of the many outdoor (and therefore FREE) shows. So far, I've seen:

• Pyeng Threadgill. Great voice, jazzy vibe
  
• Chris Velan. White guy, reggae tunes... apparently he sounds like Paul Simon. If by Paul Simon, they mean UB40, then yes he sounds like Paul Simon.
• Guitar Explosion: Paul Deslauriers, Trevor Finlay, Jean-Sébastien Chouinard. Blues concert, 3 electric guitars... crazy solos!!!
• Marc Atkinson Trio. Classical guitar, acoustic guitar, bass. They sound kind of Latin, with some pretty insane soloing on the classical. Not bad for 3 guys from BC.

Definately gonna hit up lots more concerts before the festival ends on Sunday.


Too many shows to check out.


One of the many free outdoor stages.


Canada Day at the Old Port was pretty cool. Much more of a family atmosphere with things for kids to do.


Big crowds...


... watching an aerieals demonstration by some Canadian olympic atheltes.


Continuing with changing my routine, I went to the Jean-Talon Market today. After one hour of walking around lost (and taking the metro in the wrong direction), I finally found it:


Fruits galore.


I didn't intend on buying anything, but I tried a clementine and the incredible sweetness motivated me to buy a whole basket... lol. They probably sprinkled the samples with sugar.


They're not lying, these smell amazing.


I felt like I was a chef on the food network sampling fresh fruits and vegetables in a random market as I was gathering ingredients to cook a gourmet meal... aka buying clementines to bring to work cause I'm too lazy to make a real lunch.