On the street: Black and colour
A walk on last Thursday, the first day of our red-zone restrictions, captured the bifurcated nature of Montreal on October 1: an irrepressible sprit colliding with a sombre reckoning—because some of us did not, apparently, get this message:
This could be read two ways: Even though we are apart again (most Montréalers cannot receive even one visitor, indoors or out, for 28 days beginning October 1), we are united in spirit—or as, Think of others: a shortfall of cooperation is what earned us this period of serious restriction.
Still, windows displayed a merry mix of colour and audacity. Some standouts, snapped on Boul. St-Laurent::
Top: Editions de robe make smart dresses in vivid colours and interesting prints, and will cut existing patterns to fit for custom orders. One of my favourite places to window-shop, and next time I need a really good dress, I'll shop there for real.
Lower left: A tiger amid blooms that reminds me of Kendo's signature tigers, but is not.
Lower centre: I liked the black and white stripes mixed with forest green and tomato red.
Far right: Fuzzy turquoise balls strung with frankly plastic beads for a cheery necklace. Uplifting jewellery need not be precious.
But in real life, plenty of black, even on this crisp, sunny morning.
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| Two coffees to go |
Left: She hurries to work. At first glance this reads as monochromatic, till you notice the magenta socks and the white detail on her boots. I also like the barrel leg on the jeans, and my comrades in crossbodies will note hers.
Right: She was lined up for her takeout, and willingly posed. A hoodie seems to be Garment of the Year! The only colour is a touch in her headband, and the hot pink logo on her mask.
Montréal is a deeply social city, with a street life more European than North American, and until our sub-Arctic winters send us indoors, we gather reflexively. Losing that at the beginning of October, when we still have honeyed days when we could meet friends in a park, feels sad indeed. But retail shops are still allowed to open, and there is some camaraderie in simply standing in line at a bakery. Not without a mask, though!
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| At Boulangerie Guillaume |
Comments
Venasque: So we'lll be nuts together! I've been saying, "Please protect me" when people get close to me without a mask. Because to me, that's the heart of the matter.
I like those barrel-shaped jeans, but only on women much taller than me; they'd only make me look stumpy. And as a cyclist, I need jeans more fitted at the hem.
I have the pleasant problem of having lost quite a lot of weight, but think this is mostly from acute anxiety due to Covid and resulting isolation - and loss of work; yes, I have a bit of a pension now, but still need to work, economically and intellectually. Except for the new-buys, all my jeans are falling down.
Indeed the colours in your photos are lovely and so typical of hereabouts. Sadly, we have a friend who has become a denier, and actually taken part in the Covidiot demo here. :( He is an intelligent, educated person.
Actually, I do find the measures rather onerous - being alone except for shopping, not even our lovely local library, and extremely depressing - but far less than dying gasping for air or killing vulnerable people.
Persons who live alone are permitted one visitor in their residences:
Source (among others): https://globalnews.ca/news/7368414/quebec-coronavirus-red-zones-guide/
Of course it depends on whether you and your visitor are willing to do that.