HOWTO: Spend less in Montréal: Internet

In three days I leave for Montréal. Ahead of me lie five weeks at the Université de Montréal, studying french, paid for by a government bursary. Free education is a wonderful thing. And a lucky thing - the program wouldn't have been an option for me had I been required to pay for it.

Still, there are some fees involved in the experience for which I find my budget totally unprepared. This summer I have played the part of the Grasshopper, stupidly enough. (And not just any grasshopper - I've been the sort who buys a lot of beer and doesn't pay her parking tickets until they've all doubled. And who manages to lose paper money in a way that consistently raises her blood pressure at the thought of it, but gives great cheer to the drunks hanging out at Queen and Roncesvalles at dawn.)

So, roughly 72 hours before I'm to make my way east to la belle province, I'm scrambling to find as many ways as possible in which to spend as much money as I have, which is none.

Since internet access at the place I'll be staying costs $70 per month (!?! does their connection perform at the speed of light?), my browsing will be done on a café-roving, 'connect when I can' basis. This, hopefully, will be facilitated by an organization named Île Sans Fil (wireless island).

As stated on their website, "Île Sans Fil is a non-profit community group devoted to providing free public wireless internet access to mobile users in public spaces throughout Montréal, Canada." If you'd like to read more, check out the Montreal Mirror's article.

Internet, check.