Living in Interesting Times

I heard the clanging coming from up the street at 8:00 PM on Saturday night. At first it was just a couple of people here and there banging pots and pans. By 8:30, it was a full-fledged demonstration in front of our house in NDG (a residential neighbourhood in Montreal that is about a 10 min drive from downtown).

The “casseroles”, or pots and pan protests, have been going on for about a week now, and have spread to many communities in Montreal and many cities and towns outside of it. The demonstrations originally began several months ago as a student protest against tuition hikes. But since the government of Quebec imposed Bill 78, an emergency law that was passed on May 18 to limit freedom of assembly without prior police approval, the protest has broadened to the general population and now is largely a protest against this law.

Reports of violence this past weekend were fewer than last weekend, and what I observed in our neighbourhood was very peaceful, as people came together with their friends, family, and children.

Here is a brief summary of what's been happening in Quebec.

Seeing red

I found pops of red all over Old Montreal yesterday.
If you are in the US, you might want to check out One Kings Lane. Some of my canvas prints are on sale there today.
Have an absolutely fabulous weekend!

Downtown

Yes, we have our very own Hector Guimard metro entrance.




Some scenes from a downtown stroll. It's good to look up every once in a while.

The terracotta army

Last week I went to the Chinese Warriors Exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art. I managed to take a few photographs, despite a couple of warnings not to. That's the time to bat one's eyelashes and follow up with a sweet "Oh really? I had no idea. But of course". And then stealthily take a few more. If you are in Montreal between now and June 26, I highly recommend this exhibit.

Guillaume & Patricia Getting Married | Montreal Wedding Photographer

As it will become obvious from the photographs that follow, Guillaume and Patricia are an amazing couple. Patricia is a Chilean beauty whose excitement and joy illuminated the day. The love these two feel for each other was evident in every glance and every touch. It was such a great pleasure to photograph their wedding day.

Guillaume sees Patricia for the first time (prior to the ceremony):

Patricia can barely contain her excitement.

That smile says it all!

During the ceremony there was laughter.

And there were tears.

And laughter mixed with tears.

I just love this quiet moment after the ceremony.

Talent show!

And some dancing to finish off the evening.