i walked up the steps from montreal’s metro station, disappointed to see the rain falling but not surprised in the least. as i opened up my black-and-white polka dot umbrella, i realized that this umbrella has seen all the cities i have this year :: it shielded me from pouring rain in new york city as i puddle-jumped down fifth avenue and kept me (mostly) dry as i wandered through the gardens of nijo castle in kyoto , trying to snap photos with one hand and hold the umbrella in the other. and now, in montreal, it was doing its best to keep me dry as i hunted down the famousmacaronshop, point g. i was determined to find the shop (regardless of the rain) so i could try a foie gras macaron. yes, a duck-liver flavored cookie. seeking refuge from the rain in style. i don’t actually remember the first time i ate a macaron. it may have been during my first trip to seattle while wandering around pike place market, when i snuck into a french bakery to escape the chill of the early morning