This last week in Montreal has been a time of revisiting places I really enjoyed, saying au revoir to friends, packing, and finishing up the Explore program with French tests. A highlight of the week was being able to attend the Fashion and Design Festival going in and around the McGill area downtown. I was so happy when I first heard about this event as I’m a textile and clothing major (I love fashion shows!) and what a great way to end my time in Montreal eh? This Festival is only four days long, August 1-4, and showcased clothing from typical stores from Eaton center to local boutiques and gowns made from fashion design students in Montreal. I love looking at dresses made from scratch and I think the coolest fashion show I got to see was one sponsored by Cashmere toilet paper. You may have seen their advertisements in magazines before of models in dresses made from toilet paper. Yes, toilet paper! I saw it live and it was stunning and I was so impressed by all these students’ works. There was a similar concept with metro newspapers, but I missed that show so I will have to find pictures online later. There were also a lot of neat design displays, local designers selling their clothes on public buses they designed, and even swag up for grabs during the shopping rally on the second day. 

I was also stoked for the final fireworks as part of the international competition going on this past Friday night. Not only was it the final fireworks, but it was my 9th and final show before I left this night owl city. I’m so captivated by these blown up artworks in the sky and I receive so much “light” in watching them. They really make my day regardless of how I feel and It’s probably one of my favorite things to do in Montreal next to being in Old Montreal.

Well, it has been five enlightening weeks here and I’m satisfied with all that I got to do. My French has improved drastically from knowing barely anything and I had a lot of fun touring and exploring good eats, local shops, and participating on various activities with my new friends from all over Canada. I highly recommend the Explore program to you as it’s a great way to learn or improve on your French if you are serious about it. It’s very rewarding too being able to spend  a part of your summer away from home and immerse yourself in a city like no other in Canada. 

What’s next?

I’ve been so spoiled with traveling these past few months and I just had to grab this opportunity as it came up. God has blessed me so much and in a few hours I will be off this train and in a city at quite the opposite end of the spectrum from Montreal.  Reuniting with friends on a new exploration
Can’t wait! Keep phollowing!