Old Quebec City - Charming as it is Beautiful!
Old Quebec City is surrounded by a stone wall built to protect it at different times from the English and from the Americans. It is the only walled city remaining in North America, in a dramatic setting high on a cliff overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Within its walls is the Citadelle de Quebec, a fortress whose history started some four hundred years ago.
The Chateau Frontenac, reputedly the most photographed hotel in the world, is also within the Old City.
Our arrival in Quebec City was heralded by the rain we have encountered in all 10 provinces (this is being written while we're in Newfoundland!)
Though there is a rich network of freeways and highways through the much larger modern city, we were quite frustrated that so many were under repair or construction. There may have been some labour disputes, apparently.
The limitations of GPS navigation became evident as we kept getting directed to take highways or exits which were closed. On the other hand, the GPS can be credited with keeping our relationship relatively intact, and keeping Shamir from pulling out what hair he has left, in frustration, as we worked our way around complex routings all across the country. His sanity might be questioned, though, as he mutters or yells at the inanimate GPS affixed to the windshield with its paradoxical instructions to bear left, then turn right ... or to stay in the right lane ... then turn left!
Fortunately for Surrinder, Shamir's relative comfort and fluency in French made being in Quebec feel less foreign. We were pleased to have people start up conversations with us, probably surprised that we could speak to them in French.
In view of the last federal election results bringing in NDP, rather than Bloq Quebecois MPs, times may have changed. Perhaps most young people don't feel a burning pressure or need to separate from Canada. On the other hand, the Parti Quebecois' (provincial) recent bizarre bungling into matters of religious symbols such as headgear really make us wonder. Given that the PQ has a minority government, one hopes this will never see the light of day. Certainly a head-scratcher ...
Meanwhile, the Quebec fascination with things British continues ... Paul McCartney was to play on the Plains of Abraham the day after we left. Shamir was in Quebec in 1981 for a civil law / common law exchange program. He recalls that those most fascinated with the Chuck/Di wedding in 1981 were his Quebecois colleagues. Several were up in the middle of the night to watch the nuptials live on TV.
Meanwhile, "Vive la difference!" -- we enjoyed the flavour of francophone culture in its fascinating distinctiveness ... yet Canadian familiarity. Surrinder loved the French influenced architecture, with its elegant buildings so pleasing to look at.
More images of Quebec City ...
Old Quebec City is surrounded by a stone wall built to protect it at different times from the English and from the Americans. It is the only walled city remaining in North America, in a dramatic setting high on a cliff overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Within its walls is the Citadelle de Quebec, a fortress whose history started some four hundred years ago.
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| Throngs of tourists ... |
The Chateau Frontenac, reputedly the most photographed hotel in the world, is also within the Old City.
Our arrival in Quebec City was heralded by the rain we have encountered in all 10 provinces (this is being written while we're in Newfoundland!)
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| Convenient way to clean the feet. A bit cool for showering, though! ... |
The limitations of GPS navigation became evident as we kept getting directed to take highways or exits which were closed. On the other hand, the GPS can be credited with keeping our relationship relatively intact, and keeping Shamir from pulling out what hair he has left, in frustration, as we worked our way around complex routings all across the country. His sanity might be questioned, though, as he mutters or yells at the inanimate GPS affixed to the windshield with its paradoxical instructions to bear left, then turn right ... or to stay in the right lane ... then turn left!
Fortunately for Surrinder, Shamir's relative comfort and fluency in French made being in Quebec feel less foreign. We were pleased to have people start up conversations with us, probably surprised that we could speak to them in French.
In view of the last federal election results bringing in NDP, rather than Bloq Quebecois MPs, times may have changed. Perhaps most young people don't feel a burning pressure or need to separate from Canada. On the other hand, the Parti Quebecois' (provincial) recent bizarre bungling into matters of religious symbols such as headgear really make us wonder. Given that the PQ has a minority government, one hopes this will never see the light of day. Certainly a head-scratcher ...
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| Slogan also found on the current license plates (we prefer the original "La Belle Province", which used to be on the license plates ...) |
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| Sir Paul concert stage preps on the Plains of Abraham |
More images of Quebec City ...
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| Samuel de Champlain, "Father of New France", founder of Quebec City |
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| Yep, we found him here, too ... made us feel good. |
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| We stayed here one night ... the van gives us great flexibility. |
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| The St. Laurent felt like Vancouver Harbour! |
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| The Changing of the Guard ceremony is alive and well at the Citadelle de Quebec -- this is where the "Van Doos" are based - a corruption of the French for 22 (Vingt Deux) - they are the Royal 22nd Regiment ... |
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