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Montreal and Colombia comparison

Not many people know that when the English and the French fought over what is now Canada, most of the Native Canadian tribes sided with the French.

The reason was that when the English landed to trade guns, tools, & jewellry in exchange for meat & fur, they would do their business and leave. The French would trade, and then, with typical Gallic joi de vivre, there would be a big party. So, the Indians thought that the French were just more fun.

Montreal has the well-deserved reputation for being a place where people enjoy life. Parties last well into the night, and don't end at 11:30 like they usually do in Toronto. At clubs you can find people of all ages boogying until the early hours. And people take pride in how they dress.

So, are Colombian cities more like Montreal? I know from Elmo's posts that they live and play hard in the barrios on the coast. What about other places in Colombia? Are there any posters that know both Montreal and Colombia?

By Crazy Eagle on Nov 23, 2005, 18:27 in Friendly Talkzone.

kernow62 says on Nov 23, 2005, 18:33:

Yes, they all speak French in Colombia too.

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morphus says on Nov 23, 2005, 18:35:

its hard to compare Montreal to Colombia. Montreal is still freezing in April. i know a Colombiana that is going to Montreal soon. she asked me how Canada is? i said "es como Colombia pero mas frio". i hope she is'nt disappointed.

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Crazy Eagle says on Nov 23, 2005, 18:36:

Glad to hear it. Do they all Glad to hear it Kernow. Do they all drive like maniacs too?

Morphus, I wasn't talking about the weather dude!

"The gate is straight, deep and wide. Break on through to the other side." Jim Morrison

"The natural rhythm of life is routine punctuated by orgy" Aldous Huxley

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kernow62 says on Nov 23, 2005, 18:44:

Yes and they have more Renault 4s in Colombia than Montreal.

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Colombiche says on Nov 23, 2005, 18:54:

I know Montreal and I know Colombia Montreal has a more latin feel to it than Toronto definitely. Come to think of it, Toronto looks very much like a graveyard these days. Winter is starting and everything is looking so glum.

Of course, Montreal is even colder than Toronto, but these people are far more lively. I am referring mostly to Le Vieux Montreal, where the streets are paved in stone, the place is packed with restaurants and you see mimes and poets and human "statues" on the street. I certainly like the Montreal ambiance much more than that of Toronto, but I can't really compare it too much with Colombia.

The closest thing I can think of to Montreal is La Candelaria district of Bogota, where the streets are narrow, packed and you can go to chorro Quevedo to listen to cuenteros and poets. Very bohemian, I liked it.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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utopiacowboy says on Nov 23, 2005, 21:58:

Having spent the first 22 years of my life in Montreal and having experienced Colombia, I would say that anyone looking for Montreal in Colombia or vice versa is bound to be disappointed. San Antonio is more reminiscent of Colombia than Montreal is but even that is not saying very much. Actually Monterrey, Mexico reminds me most of Medellin with their natural settings of towering mountain ranges, their absolutely crazy drivers, their industriousness as exemplified by the many manufacturing plants, the pride in their respective cities.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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utopiacowboy says on Nov 23, 2005, 21:58:

Having spent the first 22 yea Frigging mouse.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Rubiazo says on Nov 23, 2005, 22:13:

Depends a lot on the city Colombia seems to be a pretty varied place depending on where you go. Bogota and Montreal do have a lot of similarities.

FWIW I think Montreal drivers are even more nuts than Bogota drivers. They maybe don't go as fast on average but they slow down even less when cornering, and don't even bother with the horn before they go blasting through a stop sign or red light.

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kernow62 says on Nov 24, 2005, 03:47:

Those weren't "human statues" they were just frozen solid! Who the hell would live in such a cold place on purpose is beyond me.

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cdunn77 says on Nov 26, 2005, 05:56:

Kernow, I really enjoyed living in Ottawa (only a short 2 hour ride from Montreal) for 3 years as I went to univeristy. Yeah it's cold, but you know what, it's also fun! With the cold comes the snow and the frozen canal (which turns into the world's longest skating rink), where you buy hot chocolate and beaver tails from the booths set up on the ice, and of course there's Winterlude, with the unbelievable ice and snow sculptures that can easily reach 20 feet or more high! It's unbelievable! Of course you can't get this in TOO many countries in the world but when you're there, and even though it can be an unbelievable -50 with the windchill and the gas in your car might freeze, it's a great time to be in Ottawa!!!

Although I must admit that I LOVE the sun too, and it's FINALLY decided to show it's face a bit more around Bogota lately! Woohoo!!!

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kernow62 says on Nov 26, 2005, 10:56:

No thanks, I don't mind cool temps, but forget cold ones, and I don't really care for hot temps either. Bogotá is actually pretty close to perfection for me re: weather.

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Crazy Eagle says on Nov 26, 2005, 11:27:

sunshine How much of it do you see in Bogota? Are blue skies the exception rather than the rule? Is it overcast and grey more often than not?

"The gate is straight, deep and wide. Break on through to the other side." Jim Morrison

"The natural rhythm of life is routine punctuated by orgy" Aldous Huxley

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kernow62 says on Nov 26, 2005, 13:47:

Sunshine is the exception, that is what makes it all the more special when it does shine.

Where I am from I think it rains more than Bogotá, so it is really no different. The only thing is Bogotá is too far from the ocean for my liking. I have been thinking a lot about retirement lately and am beginning to think I should move back to Kernow, perhaps Penzance.

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Rubiazo says on Nov 26, 2005, 15:06:

There isnt that much sun in Bogota which is something I really like! I would be perfectly happy if I never saw that thing again!! But if you are one of those people who craves sun, Bogota is probably not the best place for you long-term.

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Crazy Eagle says on Nov 29, 2005, 17:27:

gracias Gracias for the heads up, lads. Bogota sounds more like a weekend getaway place for me, rather than a home base - if I do in fact relocate to Colombia.

I guess I would be happier in Cali, Cartagena, BAQ, or Medellin.

"The gate is straight, deep and wide. Break on through to the other side." Jim Morrison

"The natural rhythm of life is routine punctuated by orgy" Aldous Huxley

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