Ms.Swiss in Montréal

Some photojournalism. Inclusive and not exclusive.

[misswissmtl]

The best thing about spending time in the South of France is that a short train or bus ride away will bring you to an array of different landscapes. Here, we took a two-hour bus ride along the Mediterannean coast line to arrive to our final destination, Saint-Tropez. Nevertheless, the journey is not to be neglected for along the way, we passed through countless cream and camel coloured villages and vine fields. All of this, driving along snake-like roads making the drivers take sharp turns every 50 meters and leaving us worried about whether or not we would fall off the cliff. We arrived to Saint-Tropez greeted by hundreds of tourists and the iconic face of Brigitte Bardot hanging all around town. A walk up through the busy town brings you to the town’s fortress and a breathtaking view of the surrounding.

[misswissmtl]

Little pic-nic in our very own creek on the Île du grand Gaou in the South of France. This protected island was once a fisherman’s paradise and still is today. An hour and a half walk all around the island will bring you through an amazing array of flaura and fauna as well as different landscapes that range from dangerous cliffs to serene little sand beaches. It is truly a paradisiac spot that any nature lover will not want to miss. That’s me sitting on top of the cliff feeling as little and unimportant as ever amongst nature’s beauty.

[misswissmtl]

After 9 months back in Canada, I finally made in back to Europe! A quick stop in Paris allowed me to see my family and friends as well as immediately reconnect with my european roots that I left behind about 10 years ago when I first moved to Washington D.C. and then Montréal, Canada. Everytime I go back to either France or Switzerland, my two home countries, it doesn’t take me long to remember where I come from and where a big part of me belongs. Having lived abroad for so long, I am constantly stuck in an in-between: in a state of constant nostalgia that follows me everywhere I go. I then realize that I am exceptionnaly lucky to have been able to call home 6 totally awesome countries at different times in my life and I understand that this nostalgia is a positive feeling that will always move me forward.

[misswissmtl]

For this last weekend of April, my friends and I made it out to a cabane à sucre in the Laurentians, Quebec. A cabane à sucre is a place that produces maple syrup. At the end of winter when nature works hard to get its beautiful green and colourful coat back on, the maple trees start to thaw and the sap flows down from the trunck down through a man made hole that collects the sap into a bucket. The farmer would then collect the liquid and work the liquid until it transformed into sweet, delicious maple syrup. In the modern days, however, the maple water is collected through a tubing method as seen in the second picture. At a cabane à sucre, you can learn about the entire maple syrup process right up to a tasting. You are served a three course dinner, everything cooked in maple syrup: pea soup, beans, ham, oreille de crisse, potatoes, sugar pie and crèpes... all this enjoyed with traditional music and square dancing.

[misswissmtl]

Last night’s full moon as seen from the Mount Royal. A short hike up this mountain will lead you to a breathtaking view of the Montreal skyline. There are many lookout points from which you can enjoy the view but my advise is to find your own unique spot for the full experience, unbothered by other mountainers and tourists. I arrived at this spot during the “golden hour” when the sun was just setting on the other side of the mountain, leaving a golden trail on the skyscrappers. I stayed until the full moon rose and witnessed its absolute full body terror in its plus size and bloodshot colour. It was a stunning experience which I enjoyed on my own, making it that much more special to me. I particularly like the contrast between the nature and urban landscapes; a constrast found all throughout the city of Montreal.

[misswissmtl]

First time walking along the Lachine Canal this spring. I was welcomed by a contrasting mix of blue skies, clouds, icy, mud, snow and grass: this sums up Montreal spring in a nutshell. If any of you have ever spent a spring in Montreal, you surely understand how moody the weather is: at times sitting at below 20 Celcius and other times at 15*C, at times snowstorming, raining... Montreal is not for the weak, it is for those who will not get put down by the weather and learn to enjoy life no matter what it looks like outside!

[misswissmtl]

Today was day 2 of my urban exploration initiation and I have to admit that these guys did not take it easy on me. We were shooting a music video for C.H.U.C.K’s track “Put the mic on” in an iconic Montreal building along the canal. Today was exhilerating, challenging, unexpected and absolutely epic! I learnt to challenge myself and rely on my own mental and physical strength to overcome some tangible barriers. As I explore the city, I fall in love with her more and more and I appreciate all the charm she has to offer. And yes, I do refer Montreal by the female pronoun; personifying the city makes me feel closer to her.

[misswissmtl]

Last night marked the start of my initiation into urban exploration and this spot couldn’t have been anymore epic! Enjoying the backdrop of the iconic Montreal skyline on a conveniently placed leather sofa at a chill -13 degrees Celcius. Having experienced this unforgetful experience, I can now call myself a real Montrealer and I am damn proud of it!

[misswissmtl]

A short travel video of my trip in the beautiful Costa Rica filmed and edited by the one and only Will Mack (@mtlwill: youtube, @pabstman, instagram). This is the 3rd video he made in our travel video serie. It shows our adventures through the world so far in Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Costa Rica. These videos are the most special and vivid memories that I have of our trips and I am so thankful for these souvenirs. Amazing edit and fiming shows the beauty of our world in HD!

[misswissmtl]

Volcán Arenal, Costa Rica.

This volcano elevates itself at a colossal 1,670 meters and is the youngest volcano in Costa Rica. After 300 years of inactivity, it had a major erruption in 1968 destroying an entire town at its foot and killing over 80 people. It stayed active and explosive until 2010. It is now sleeping but looking very much like a threat.

[misswissmtl]

Beautiful sunset at Playa Samara. A little 30 minute walk to the end of the beach will bring you to a paradisiac spot where the sun sets into the ocean. No words to describe this scenery really, enjoy the pictures.

[misswissmtl]

Spending some time in a little town on the West Coast of Costa Rica. This town is called Samara in the region of Guanacaste, it is most famous for its breath-taking, long, sandy beach. It's definitely mostly renowned for its beautiful beach but the town itself holds many little treasures in its many cafés and friendly locals. Costa Rica's famous catch phrase is "Pura Vida" and I can assure you that life does not get any more pure in this soulful village.

[misswissmtl]

Traveling, finally! There's nothing like getting on a plane with the motive to go explore a new destination... Especially when that destination is Costa Rica and you've been experiencing -20 degree Celsius for months now.

[misswissmtl]

Throwback to a trip to the iconic South of France: featured here, the cities of Nice and Monaco. The Côte d'Azur is known for its faithful sun, beaches and friendly people but ironically, the Easter week I spent there was full of rainy days and storms. Under the grey skies, Monaco shows off its more sombre face and casts a very melo-dramatic light on its cityscape. Walking in the little streets of these cities makes time stop and the arid landscapes cut off by the Mediterranean Sea creates a unique contrast. Home region of my mother, I can't help but to feel nostaligia and relive memories full of scents, taste and beauty.

[misswissmtl]

A study of the Pont Jacques-Cartier in Montreal. An industrial part of the East side of the city where bridge-steel meets train-steel meets amusement-park steel. Urban Montreal at its best portrayed by the contrasting colors of the greens and oranges.

[misswissmtl]

Québec defining winter wonderland...

[misswissmtl]

A photo dramatization of Yiddish-Montreal poet Jacob-Isaac Segal's poem "Vieux-Montréal". In his poem, Segal portrays two contrasting Montreal communities that are geographically located next to each other: Old Montreal and Chinatown.