It wasn't my first time in Montreal, but when my wife and I visited over New Years it felt like discovering the city all over again. Perhaps it was the foot+ of snow on the ground or how we spent our time, but part of what was different was how we took in the city. 

Hoping from neighborhood to neighborhood, we talked with locals, sampled all sorts of poutine, local beers, hot chocolate, and a range of "new canadian" fare. We marched through parks, got lost in city streets, and took in what was decidedly familiar yet also distinct. It was a lot like being back in Brooklyn - just with a northern twist.

I was particularly struck by both the architectural and natural beauty of the city. Parts of it are centuries old while others speak more of a modern tongue. There's even an Olmsted park (more themes of Brooklyn)!

As much as I loved my time in Montreal in the Spring, there was something magical about it in the snow. Whether it was the coordinated and graceful dance of the snowplows or the way runners embraced the 15 degree weather or the way couples slide across the ice on skates to a groove of their own design, Montreal comes alive in its own element in the winter and I loved it for that.

I'll be back.