Ep. 069 - Montreal
The Skiptown All-Stars recently embarked on an adventure to Montreal, Canada's vibrant second-largest city. While there for a few days, they uncovered an expansive subterranean world and gained a new perspective on a polarizing American sports figure.
Beneath the hustle and bustle of the streets lies Montreal's famous underground city, known as “RÉSO.” This network of tunnels spans over 20 miles connecting metro stations, shopping malls, hotels, banks, offices, and even college campuses. It provides an extensive reprieve from the city's frigid winters and scorching summers. The hosts were astounded by the scale and offerings of this "city under the city" after taking a guided tour. From cozy pubs to art galleries to train platforms, it contained everything needed for daily living without requiring time above ground.
Beyond RÉSO, Montreal enchanted the James and Denise with its abundance of European charm and big city amenities. They soaked up the sights of Old Montreal's cobblestone streets and historic buildings. Yet the language proved a formidable barrier, as French prevailed over English. Though many residents spoke some English, menus and signs appeared overwhelmingly in French. The hosts recounted dining frustrations over incorrect food temperatures, prompting future travel with a French dictionary in hand.
Amid the language struggles, the fashion and diversity of Montreal dazzled Denise. Locals dressed to impress, emanating class and style around every corner. Hearing native French spoken by non-white residents also surprised her, further dispelling their stereotypical American worldview. The trip showed that Montreal occupied a world all its own.
Looking ahead, the hosts plan to return for an extended stay to fully experience everything they missed. From museums and concerts to vegan restaurants and high-end shopping, Montreal charmed them into scheduling a month-long expedition. They aim to augment their wardrobes and refine their French before touching down again in this mesmerizing locale.
Beyond Montreal, the Skiptowners dove into the career arc and redemption of Coach Prime. Deion Sanders landed coaching jobs at Jackson State University in 2020 followed by the University of Colorado in 2023. This represented an opportunity for the flashy two-sport superstar to rebuild struggling programs and change student-athletes' lives.
James confessed his previous disdain for Sanders stemming from arrogance, egoism, and a self-centered reality show. But Coach Prime’s radical turnarounds at both universities demonstrated sincerity in uplifting young Black men through discipline, care, and leadership. He also guided his sons, top recruits Shilo and Shedeur Sanders, elevating their games and prospects. The co-host expressed regret over misjudging Coach Prime's mission and impact.
As Sanders brought excitement back to Jackson State, James thought it was admirable to see Deion giving back to an HBCU. When he announced his ascent to Head Coach at Colorado, though, it did elicit a bit of an eye roll. With the ups and downs of his first season and seeing how Coach Prime is dealing with the adversity of actually losing games for the first time in a long time, James also realized the damage of writing someone off based on perception. Seeing Coach Prime in a new light profoundly changed his outdated assumptions for the better. It illuminated the importance of giving people room to grow, because Coach Prime will ultimately prevail at Colorado. It’s only his first year in a totally revamped (and previously dismal) program!
Whether beneath Montreal's streets or football stadiums, revelations await those who explore with open eyes. The Skiptown All Stars' travels uncovered hidden gems near and far. But the greatest treasures shone through reassessing entrenched beliefs. Discovering the unexplored, externally and internally, makes every journey rewarding.
The hosts plan a return to immerse themselves in Montreal's many museums, galleries, restaurants and culture. A month-long stay will remedy their too quick previous visit. The captivating city offers much for foodies and culture devotees alike!
1. Montreal has the second largest French-speaking population of any city in the world, after Paris.
2. The Montreal Metro opened in 1966 and was modeled after the Paris Metro. It is Canada's busiest subway system.
3. Montreal has more restaurants per capita than any other city in Canada and also more bars per capita.
4. The famous Montreal bagel was introduced to the city by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe in the early 1900s.
5. Montreal was home to Prohibition-era bootleggers who smuggled alcohol into the United States. Al Capone once maintained a residence there.
6. The first FIFA World Cup was held in Montreal in 1930 at Estadio Olímpico. Italy won over Uruguay.
7. The Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team is the longest continuously operating professional sports team and oldest existing NHL team.
8. Montreal has one of the lowest crime rates for a metropolitan area in Canada and the United States.
9. Montreal has the second highest number of college students of any city in North America after Boston.
10. The Underground City (RESCO) connecting malls, hotels, offices, banks and more spans over 20 miles of tunnels beneath downtown.
And here are some key real estate and lifestyle facts about Montreal:
· The median household income in Montreal is around $59,822 CAD ($44,000 USD) as of 2021.
· Montreal home prices average $532,300 CAD ($392,000 USD). Condos average $371,500 CAD ($274,000 USD).
· Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center averages $1,218 CAD ($900 USD) per month.
· The overall cost of living in Montreal is over 20% lower than other major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver. Groceries, transportation and utilities are especially inexpensive.
· Montreal has a relatively low crime rate among major North American cities. The burglary rate is 237 incidents per 100,000 residents.
· Highly walkable and bikeable city with extensive public transit system. Owning a car is not essential.
· Montreal is rated one of the top student cities in the world. It has the 2nd highest number of college students per capita in North America.
· 30% of Montreal's population are immigrants, contributing to its multicultural diversity. Over 140 languages are spoken.
· Highly rated for quality of life. Montreal offers abundant arts/culture, food, affordability and European charms.