"Do they really speak french?" a Montreal Travel Page by excentrus

OK, I live here...but I wasn't born here. Sometimes people tell me they have not found their home yet. I arrived in Montreal in the early 70's and immediately fell in love - not with another human, but with this amazing island in the Saint Lawrence River. I never left. I witnessed this city go through difficult economic times in the 80's and 90's only to rebound with great fervour and energy. Montreal used to be Canada's largest city. That honour now goes to Toronto but Montreal remains Canada's most interesting and unique urban place.
The summers are hot and the winters are cold...there are four distinct seasons. The people are gorgeous. A certain "je ne sais quoi" and a two cheek kiss are emblems of a true Montrealer. The citizens come from all over the world - large Haitian, African, South American, Greek, Italian, Portugese and Southeast Asian communities mix it up in a most interesting way. And yes, we all speak french! Come and practise with us...you may never leave!