Long Walks On Leafy Streets

12/13/2014 The Cemetery of Our Lady of the Snow, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
I am writing this on the Amtrak train from Montreal to New York. The train has just crossed the US border and after a lengthy stop for customs and immigration we are back on our way, smoothly rushing through the upstate New York countryside. It snowed a lot while I was in Montreal, and it has been one unbroken blanket of snow all along the way from Montreal. I have posted a video of the scenery on Facebook. The vast expanses of snow meeting the grey skies with only a sliver of brownish woods in the middle are a sight to behold. Sometimes we pass through little stands of trees all draped in white, shining like a forest of jewels in the sunlight.
I had a bit of an unpleasant experience last night. After a week of hearing about great new results in number theory at the conference and enjoying the beauty of the winter landscape in Montreal
I got to see for the first time during this trip the ugly underbelly of Montreal. I have been here before and it is not something I was not aware of. Nevertheless it was a shock to notice these establishments that exploit women’s bodies tucked in discreetly between clothing shops and restaurants. The thought that I had been walking through these streets unaware of the atrocities happening there was disturbing to me and I had a hard time going to sleep. I pacified myself by noting that it is good to be made aware of the suffering and misery in the world from time to time. This morning I woke up fresh and also rested a bit in the train. That and the great scenery passing by our windows have lifted my spirits.
Montreal can be truly described as a winter destination. Looks like they will probably have snow on the ground throughout winter. I saw many people skiing, not only in the mountain park but also near the sidewalks in some places. At one place I saw a small stop sign where you wouldn’t expect cars to stop and then it dawned on me that it was meant for the skiers. On Wednesday we were hit with a proper winter storm. It snowed all day with strong winds driving it everywhere. It was the only day I didn’t walk to and from the University of Montreal campus. I took the metro train to the campus in the morning and then rode the buses in the afternoon. There were no talks in the afternoon so I walked to the nearby St. Joseph’s church and basilica. It is quite an imposing structure built on top of a hill. I was impressed that they kept it open even during the storm. Crews were working continuously to keep the roads leading to the top as well as one of the flights of steps clear. I had to climb the steps very carefully. Being inside the majestic main sanctuary was spiritually inspiring.
The sidewalks were not so friendly to me on Thursday. I don’t know if it was because people in Montreal are so used to it or because it snowed so much, but they were quite slushy. Maybe they don’t require people to clear the sidewalks. Anyway I had to watch my step very carefully, especially after stepping into some unexpected puddles. I say unexpected because you would be walking in slushy snow and all of a sudden there would be water underneath. After watching other people walking confidently and quickly I realized that the trick to walking on such surfaces is to make firm, confident steps while keeping your center of gravity between your feet as much as possible. Leaning forward a little bit helps.
Just outside campus as I was walking a SUV properly splashed my jacket with the slush. I was annoyed for a moment, even wanted to curse the driver. But I gathered myself and continued walking. Near the park the road goes over a bridge and there is just a narrow pathway between the road and the side railing. It was difficult to walk on earlier and with all the snow I had to find an alternate route. I was worried that I might not get through that part without getting knee-deep in snow. Then I found a foot-trail near the road cut through the snow by people walking there earlier. That turned out to be easiest part of the walk and from then on I was able to enjoy the walk and was happy I didn’t turn back and take the bus. Yesterday the temperatures stayed always below freezing so the snow was more powdery and it was easier to walk on. After the last talk I went for a short walk through the Cemetery (called Cemetery of Our Lady of the snow) and also a little bit of the mountain park. It was an enchanting experience to be there alone, in the twilight, amid the acres of snow and bare trees. I walked home slowly, enjoying each step, as if meditating.

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