What an incredible force the rain is. Manifesting the power of creation, rain bears one of the essential ingredients of life as we know it. Without rain, our Earth could not be such a naturally lush, diverse, and accommodating place. However, rain can bring destruction.
Floods cause damage wherever they are found, from the mightiest city to the smallest town. Yes, the rain has other abilities as well. I recently learned of one: the power to remind.
On an utterly innocuous Thursday morning, our food writing class was scheduled to meet in the residence hall and head to Jean-Talon Market. It began to rain before we got on the metro. Well, full disclosure: I missed the group and got on the next train. It was not a hard rain, it was barely more than a drizzle. There would be no flooding, no real suffering or pain. Still, an important fact remains: cities are not pretty when it rains. Getting out of the metro, the streets were dark, damp, and dreary. Troubled by my failure to meet up with the group, I chose a direction and began to walk. A few phone calls and some personal guidance later, I found the group and arrived at the market.
We went over some history of the market and handed papers back and forth for a short time, then we began our tour. It sounds sensational to say it now, but I promise I am not lying when I tell you that the world brightened up as soon as we started making our way through the market. We were totally surrounded by delicious looking food and drink, and an enticing smell like samosas was wafting through the air.
Along the tour we were treated to the history and methods of many of the shops in the market. We ducked into a homemade pasta shop and saw the machines they use to create their fresh, plump noodles. We talked to a man about harvesting local mushrooms, and the massive range of distinct identities those mushrooms have. We went to a spice and tea shop where we got some heavenly bajji (a savory and slightly spicy fried Indian snack). Along the tour we saw so much magnificent food – cheese, coffee, desserts, barbeque, oysters, cider – there was all that one could want and more than one could handle.
Then we got to the produce. We talked to a funny and passionate man about his peppers, and walked through his aisles of red, green, and orange delights. An older man gave us a lesson on the different kinds of tomatoes used for sauce – when we should use a San Marzano and when a Super San Marzano might be more appropriate. We ended our tour at a general farm stand filled with all manner of colorful, lovely, fresh fruits and vegetables.
After the tour we were left on our own to search, sniff, shop or merely salivate as our hearts desired. I, in my rush to meet with the class, had forgotten to bring money and was therefore part of the salivating group. Still, the leisure time allowed me to reflect. The incredible colors and smells enhanced by the rain reminded me of why I love cities so much. They create an environment for people who are passionate about something to share that passion. From that little seed, in our unique city, many different cultures, people, and passions swirl together to create one vibrant Montreal.
– David Johnston, Game Programming Major, Fall 2014