,
Who knew that a little piece of Berlin was ensconced safe
and sound in a shopping mall in old Montreal? Say what?
Traipsing along the cobblestone rues and avenues of this French-Canadian
metropolis, my pink-sneaker clad feet were beyond tuckered out, sore and
blistered, as per the usual sad state of affairs. You’d think that after having meandered for
decades on end traversing the globe, my endless kilometre long journeys would
have at least prepared me for packing those handy dandy bandages and orthopaedic
soles. You’d think, but alas, no such
luck or even a smidgen of common sense accompanied my suitcase stuffing, as
truck-loads of travel mags and journals comprised the bulk of my luggage, with
nary any room for those oh so cumbersome
practical necessities.
Who says with age comes wisdom? Not me!!
So here I was, one hobbling mess, literally stumbling feet
first into any edifice that was closest in proximity, my raw and blistered
appendages oozing quite the liquefying blood hued sludge, on the lookout not
for shops, but instead, chairs, chaises and benches! Yes.
Chairs! Now that’s a first –
where the hunt for cushy seating takes precedence over the quest for discounted
bargain basement reduced designer satchels. Yikes!!
Sinking to an all-time new low of not shopping till I dropped, I was
instead reduced to scouting out the plumpest and cushiest of chaises, in desperate
straights to plop and drop on the nearest bench, eager to prop up my dogs and
take a load off my feet.
Envisioning languishing the afternoon away over a cuppa tea (heck - better make it a lunch time vino instead!) with tootsies
comfortably sprawled on several white plastic recliners, my vision of a day of
carefree indulgence was, alas, not meant to be.
For you see, I had unsuspectingly ambled on through the
doors of le Centre de Commerce Mondial Montreal (The Montreal World Trade
Centre), and had set foot onto what can only be described as a mélange of
historic brick, modern glass, trickling fountains, and so much more. Comprising a total of 11 architecturally
preserved buildings, their exterior facades restored and incorporated into a stunningly
modern layout, le Centre de Commerce is a magnificent showpiece that
successfully marries both design and ingenuity.
A juxtaposition of both old and new equally balance and highlight the
other, resulting in a visually arresting display of art, history and
imagination. The stunning glass-domed
roof bathes the entire complex with natural sunlight, its promenade flanked on
both sides with offices, shops and restaurants.
And the piece de la resistance, a massive black granite
reflective pool, creates the illusion of a mirror-like sheet as shimmers of
dancing light bounce playfully off the water.
A serene and tranquil parcel of paradise amidst the hustle and bustle of
urban living, the perfect spot to rest, contemplate or merely observe.
Anxious to kick off my heels (Keds, actually) and meditate
with the best of them, my respite was short-lived, as my curiosity was further
piqued by what other wonders this art gallery of an arcade had to offer the
unsuspecting wanderer.
And, lo and behold, there it was. The.
Berlin. Wall. Gifted by the city of Berlin in 1992 to la
ville de Montreal for its 350 anniversary, the graffiti coloured slab of concrete
sits smack dab in the centre of the complex and is a permanent fixture in the Trade
Centre. A visual reminder of oppression
and the struggle for freedom, this fragment of history is a testament to the
tenacity of people worldwide to never give up and envision the impossible.
One part shopping arcade, one part art gallery, one part
historic, one part modern – le Centre de Commerce Mondial Montreal offers us a
glimpse into the past while at the same time catapulting us into the future, onward towards a continual journey of delight and discovery.
And to think, had it not been for my raw and bleeding
tootsies…..
Come stumble along with the best of us - skedaddle around town - oftentimes disoriented and clue-less - on a mission
for a patio with a view, - on the hunt for a chaise lounge - yet somehow discovering
art and history along the way.
Next week –Stay tuned!! – Where oh where in
la belle province do my pink-sneaker clad feet take me?
Yikes!! – Actually, the week after next,
which is Wednesday September 10th, is when I will be posting my next
blog post. Due to work commitments and
various Pink Sneaker projects, I will adhere to my summer-time posting schedule
and post every second Wednesday.
Coming soon – Travel tales of the Kid’s
escapades in Portugal. Stay tuned!!
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