We had a great visit to Ottawa and Montreal this month. It was surreal to be back in Montreal and totally comfortable and familiar to be in Ottawa (family helps with that, I suppose). Sebastian was constantly doted on (subsequently rather difficult to deal with upon returning to BC, mostly in need on constant Mommy cuddles and waking up throughout the night) and Alex and I enjoyed being childless for a lot of the week. The highlight of the trip for me was definitely walking through Montreal, wandering around all the old neighbourhoods that had such a punch of nostalgia, and seeing the beautiful faces of old friends. It's reassuring to know that even after being away for a year and a half, it's pretty simple to show up. I forgot to take many Ottawa pictures (Alex's parents have approximately 1000 photos on a disk, barreling our way via Canada Post), but here are some Montreal highlights:

Sebi's morning in Montreal started with a chocolate croissant and a tiny steamed milk in an espresso cup at Blanch de Blanch. Petit Henri!

Fabienne and her beautiful zoetrope.

Alex, Sebi, Julia & Emmy. Oh, and Restaurant John 2.0, best reno ever. 

We broke into our old place! Well, sort of. 

Saint Henri

Rue Sainte Philomene, where it all went down.

Sebastian's first Ottawa Halloween pumpkin carving. Took much convincing to get that hand in there.

The best way to come home after a long trip on a chilly October day is to light a fire. The stillness of the house quickly gives way and it's like having a wild creature take care of the strangeness of an unlived-in house while you crawl into bed and have a nap. It's good to be home.