Canada


Pictures I took in Canada during various conference trips. Note that the circles indicate where I was.


* Montreal *
A view of the buildings in downtown Montreal.
Montreal is the second largest French speaking city in the world (Paris is the largest) and the French influence is obvious, particularly in "Old Montreal".
Here is a pair of horse-drawn carriages in "Old Montreal".
A very French looking building in the "Old Montreal" section.
A skyline view of "Old Montreal".
An interesting design for an apartment complex (in Montreal).
An entrance into Montreal's China Town.
Here is an underground shopping center. I believe the shopping center is part of Montreal's "Underground City" a series of tunnels which extend all over (under) downtown Montreal. The tunnels were built to cross under streets, thereby connecting buildings to each other. Many tunnels are large enough to have shops on both sides of the passage. There is over 20 miles of tunnels spread over more than 5 square miles connecting shopping malls, hotels, banks, offices, museums, universities, seven metro stations, two commuter train stations, a regional bus terminal and the Bell Centre amphitheatre and arena. There are more than 120 exterior access points to the underground city. In winter, some 500,000 people use the underground city every day. Because of its Underground City, Montreal is often referred to as "Two Cities in One."
Here is what is directly above the shopping center (a church). PS The lighted building in the foreground that looks like a subway entrance is the shopping center entrance.

* St. Johns, Newfoundland *
St. Johns is the oldest city in North America and while its port is no longer a fishing port, it is still very busy servicing the North Atlantic oil platforms. Here is a view of the buildings and the port in downtown St. Johns.
Since Newfoundland is an island, everything must be shipped in by boat. Here's a view of the shipping container facility.
St. Johns is the oldest city in North America and while its port is no longer a major fishing port, fishing boats are still common.
While fishing may have declined, servicing the North Atlantic oil platforms is now big business. Here's an oil tanker onloading.
Here's that tanker leaving port and a view of St. Johns. Note that this picture was taken along our hike up to Signal Hill. Also note that it was raining and we got soaked.
Here's view from Signal Hill looking out into the North Atlantic. On August 5, 1583, the area was claimed as England's first overseas colony. This island has been fought over since it was found. The Dutch seized St. Johns in 1665 and attacked again in 1673. The French attacked in 1696, 1705, and 1708. The final battle of the Seven Year's war (1762) was fought here. America built fortifications here during the American Revolutionary War and the war of 1812. The port was again of military importance during the First and Second World Wars.
Here's Signal Hill, note that the guns are located next to the building on the right of the hill top (overlooking the harbor entrance). The building towards the center (with the "cross" above it) is the signal tower were soldiers would watch for ships and then use the "cross" to hang flags indicating what type of ship was approaching. We didn't make it to the signal building as the wind was blowing, it was cold, it was raining, and we were soaked. Fear of pneumonia was setting in.

Thanks!


Last Modification: November, 2007