Just returned from the most amazing massage (they follow it up with a complementary sauna treatment to deepen muscle relaxation and detoxification). I can’t believe it’s Saturday already. Only two days left?!  

Three days of walking, sitting, etc have caught up with me. And if I’m gonna be able to check out the other spots, I needed attention ASAP. Thankfully, the hotel spa was reasonably priced. First this trip, now a visit to a spa… quite the end-of-the-year “thing” (articulate, I know).

Making up for yesterday, I started out early. Sej joined me to check out the Basilica Notre-Dame. It was great to have company. On our way there, we stumbled onto so much more (all the things I thought I’d do tomorrow or the next day). We walked up Rue St. Catherine, the major shopping district/street downtown. (I didn’t like it at first. Nearer the hotel, they have the same shops as any major mall in the U.S. I wondered, “what’s the hype?”) As we walked farther away from dwntwn, it got very, very interesting and totally fun. First, we stopped at an artisans market. Met and chatted with a couple who, since 1974, have sold leather goods handcrafted by Quebecois. They even showed us a picture of themselves when they first opened their business. It was lovely seeing a couple that loved each other, worked together, grew older together with no signs of stopping.

Afterwards, we were both hungry and both really wanted croissants and café. Our next stop, we found cappuccino but they were out of croissants, quel-dommage (what a shame). So, we went on further down St. Catherine, and turned as we were supposed to on Rue St. Laurent. We walked on towards the Basilica, and there it was: I looked up at the red street sign—Rue St. Paul. It’s in Vieux (Old) Montreal, where the streets are cobblestone and the scene quite European.  We walked along the Vieux  Port of Montreal, where the St. Laurent River runs. It’s a lovely view. I finally realized, having walked from dwntwn to the Port, why Montreal is called a “walkable” city. There’s just no way to take it all in via automobile; you really have to walk through the city and take it all in. By the way, we found a café that had the most delicious chocolate croissants!! No milk choco junk here J

We found a wonderful (and I know I use that word here a lot) shop, an artists’ cooperative; such lovely, creative things. After popping into a few other places, we finally headed (essentially around the corner) to Rue Notre-Dame, and visited the Basilica.

What an exquisite sight! Inside and out. 85% of le Basilique Notre Dame is made of wood—all handcrafted. I took photos and hopefully captured some of the intricacies of the design and architecture. The chapel behind was rebuilt in 1980, after a fire, and is dubbed the “wedding chapel.” There are beautiful stained glass windows that feature stories/events among Christians in Montreal ‘s own history (vs. typical renderings of biblical stories). Rather cool distinction, I thought. 

We wrapped up our visit, and headed back to the hotel via Rue St. Rene Levesque. Along the way, we passed the Palais de Congress Montreal (interestingly, govt institutions are in newer rather than older, beautiful buildings).  

We were exhilarated after our three hour jaunt; giddy and satisfied to have taken in so much of Montreal in such a short period. It was “playtime” well spent. I was actually motivated, yes, even excited about my next panel at 1:30.

Back to the business it was, and this too proved equally satisfying. Faith in the Media proved to be quite an engaging panel (Religious symbolism in ABC’s Lost; Faith and Atheism in CSI, House, and Law & Order;  Evangelicals self-representation on Facebook).  An overlapping theme of these papers, is that US popular culture/communication reflects an affirmation of faith (Grissom’s belief in science and faith), although ambiguous, non-theologically specific faith (e.g. Ronald Reagan), and a rejection of faithlessness (e.g. the dysfunctional and atheist Doc on House).  As stimulating as this was, the next panel proved totally, unexpectedly stimulating. Global communication on climate change was not a topic I thought I’d go to, but as the subject has gained increasing attention in recent years I thought it wise to hear what international scholars have to say about it. Collectively, the panel explored tensions between scientists and journalists in public discourses about climate change, how different national presses cover climate change issues within their own countries, and influence of morality/religion in orienting people towards concern about climate change (e.g. evangelical “Creation care,” Hinduism reverencing nature, etc.).

As I left the final discussion of the day for my spa appointment, I thought what a fully satisfying day—business and pleasure both equally and deeply satisfying. In retrospect, my heart, my mind, and my body was well attended to today.

Wow, a much longer post than I thought.