Mini Bowling with buds
Sep 22, 2022 | Montreal, QC
Eliana had told us previously about how there was a cat cafe in Montreal. We had heard of cat cafes, usually in the context of being in Japan since they're huge there, but we hadn't run into any during our travels. So away we went.
I thought this type of sunflower with the really furry rounded head was interesting
I thought this type of sunflower with the really furry rounded head was interesting
Fall seems to hit the vines first
Fall seems to hit the vines first
It's a testament to the endless entertainment of Montreal that we only made it to Duluth, a little, uncelebrated (as far as we knew) street toward the very end of our stay, and yet there was of course all kinds of businesses and things to do here. It just never ends in Montreal.
It's a testament to the endless entertainment of Montreal that we only made it to Duluth, a little, uncelebrated (as far as we knew) street toward the very end of our stay, and yet there was of course all kinds of businesses and things to do here. It just never ends in Montreal.
I had to catch a second shot of this mural to show the chipmunk breaking into the maple syrup can. Yes, maple syrup is commonly sold in cans here. We have no idea how you're supposed to store it after it's opened.
I had to catch a second shot of this mural to show the chipmunk breaking into the maple syrup can. Yes, maple syrup is commonly sold in cans here. We have no idea how you're supposed to store it after it's opened.
Cat cafe time! We were warned by Eliana beforehand not to have too high of expectations because the cats are so lazy and used to having attention that hardly any of them care to make an effort to visit you. She was right. It was still a cozy place to hang out though.
Cat cafe time! We were warned by Eliana beforehand not to have too high of expectations because the cats are so lazy and used to having attention that hardly any of them care to make an effort to visit you. She was right. It was still a cozy place to hang out though.
Erika's is so light because it's a London fog (Earl Grey tea and milk. Oat milk in this case.)
Erika's is so light because it's a London fog (Earl Grey tea and milk. Oat milk in this case.)
Chez Jose was a kooky quirky Portuguese place. We loved it.
Chez Jose was a kooky quirky Portuguese place. We loved it.
We got the classic Portuguese breakfast platters. And no we didn't order a fifth of gin to share for lunch. They serve their water in Bombay bottles.
We got the classic Portuguese breakfast platters. And no we didn't order a fifth of gin to share for lunch. They serve their water in Bombay bottles.
Erika's POV. She got the vegan version with tofu.
Erika's POV. She got the vegan version with tofu.
He was greasy with flea medicine on his neck. Oh well, can't pass one up.
He was greasy with flea medicine on his neck. Oh well, can't pass one up.
I can't imagine they call him this on a daily basis. Perhaps just Mofo.
I can't imagine they call him this on a daily basis. Perhaps just Mofo.
I was always wondering why the parking signs had those metal mechanisms at the top left corner. Finally found out. It's so they can attach even more rules!
I was always wondering why the parking signs had those metal mechanisms at the top left corner. Finally found out. It's so they can attach even more rules!
Blond squirrel in a tiny park near where we usually parked to go home.
Blond squirrel in a tiny park near where we usually parked to go home.
I got this little pastry from Jose's but was too full to eat it. It was a bit too rich/sweet for me.
I got this little pastry from Jose's but was too full to eat it. It was a bit too rich/sweet for me.
We had plans with our new buds Eliana and Keidis to go bowling that night. The evening started somewhat chaotically because as the time drew near, they suggested that we try to catch the same bus they were riding as it approached us. The buses only took coins, and since we required $14 worth ($3.5 each way for each of the two of us) we were relying on using Eliana's tips from work for the fee (I had dollar bills for her in return.) So it was a do or die situation that we were waiting at the right spot at the right time when they passed our road, and we only barely made it as they pulled up.
Keidis had asked us previously if we preferred regular bowling or mini bowling and we had no idea what he was talking about. And I had forgotten all about it until we got to the alley and it turned out to be one of these mini ball places ("duck pin bowling" is the proper term, I read later.) The balls are grapefruit sized and you grab them directly without any finger holes. The pins are smaller too, which makes it tougher because the lanes seem to be the same size and the pin placements are the same, so what you end up having is just a lot more space around each pin. So combined with a smaller ball, and there are times were it looks like a great throw and then the ball cuts straight through only taking a pin or two with it.
We got a pitcher of beer for the first round and did our best to bowl seriously. Erika won that first game. Then I went and got us a round of Jameson "shooters" (I still haven't quite figured out what the difference is between a shot and a "shooter" around here. Either they're interchangeable, or maybe a shooter is 1oz instead of 1.5, but we've seen the term used specifically a lot here.) We bowled seriously again in the second round, and I managed to blow everybody away with a 113. In the third round we started goofing around. We alternated between either a left hand throw, two balls at once, through the legs, or throwing from way back before the wood floor starts. One of the employees actually came over and "taught" us how to do it right after we were throwing from the back step. Still not sure if she actually thought we didn't know or not. All in all, it was a lot of fun, and hopefully we get to see E&K again if we drive back through Montreal.
I have videos for this occasion that show the action better, but I'll have to figure out how I'm going to host them later.
The alley was called Darling Bowling. This says "Darling, I love you"
The alley was called Darling Bowling. This says "Darling, I love you"
2nd round, Brian had his tiny balls nice and warmed up
2nd round, Brian had his tiny balls nice and warmed up
The goof ball round didn't produce the best scores, although Erika somehow beat her first round score.
The goof ball round didn't produce the best scores, although Erika somehow beat her first round score.
Where the beer and shooters originated from
Where the beer and shooters originated from