Quebec City
A Break From the Job Search
I went back to Canada for the Christmas break. My sister Cathy and I decided to start our own New Year's tradition, and went by train to Quebec City. Quebec City is one of the oldest European settlements in North America. Jacques Cartier built a fort at the site of the city in 1535. It was a rocky start. Cartier returned to France one year later. He returned in 1541, and again the site was abandoned a year later. In 1608 another French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, made an attempt. This time there was success.
We left on December 30, Cathy's birthday.
Cathy and I had booked four nights at the Chateau Frontenac. We were so excited! This was to be our big splash-out. The Chateau Frontenac opened in 1893, one of the grand hotels opened by the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1980. It is the most photographed hotel in the world! King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Grace of Monaco, and other world leaders have stayed here. And now Cathy & Donna!
We arrived in Quebec City at about 4PM. Being winter in Canada, it was already dark. I was a bit headachy and tired from the train ride. When we checked in, we were told that we had a double bed. When I made the reservation, I had requested two beds and a river view. I immediately went into pissed-off mode. My sister loudly exclaimed, "We're not gay, we're sisters!" What really got me going was the fact that the gentlemen checking in next to us asked for a bed upgrade, and blatantly slipped the clerk a $20 bill. We fussed and fumed, and were finally given a room with two beds, with an inner courtyard-view. The room was disappointingly small. We later discovered that, when the Chateau Frontenac was built, it had 134 rooms. Now it has 611. Hence the tiny rooms. But the beds were lovely, and the shower was powerful and had a never-ending supply of lovely hot water. But....we were spending a small fortune on this hotel, and our extremely high hopes had been considerably dampened.
Cathy and I went out for our first dinner in Quebec City (and her birthday dinner). Unfortunately, I was really tired and worn out by this point, so we ate and then made our way back to the hotel, and our lovely warm beds.
New Year's Eve
Cathy and went out for an AMAZING breakfast at Casse-Crepe Breton. I highly recommend this restaurant. I don't think it needs my recommendation, though, because there was a line-up to get in! Luckily we were in line with a lovely young couple from South Carolina. They were also staying at the Chateau Frontenac, and had had the same blow to their high expectations. We ended up sitting next to them at breakfast, and had a wonderful chat with them.
After breakfast, Cathy and I went for a wander through snowy Quebec City. Our one goal for the day was to buy champagne.
We asked a few people, and most were pessimistic about finding a liquor store open on New Year's Eve. But we persevered, and found one! We bought two bottles, and meandered our way back to the hotel. I had a super-hot bath, we talked to Darlene on skype (she was in Florida), and ordered room service. We feasted and drank champagne until about 10PM. Then we started bundling. First, thermal undershirts and cozy leggings, and the first pair of socks. Next, jeans and two sweatshirts, and the second pair of socks. Then foot warmers tucked inside snow boots, hand warmers tucked between two pairs of gloves, coats, hats, scarves. The end result - very warm and very hard to move.
We waddled our way through the old city gates to the ferris wheel.
We stood around in the snow and boogied to the sound of a concert in the park.
At midnight there was a fireworks display behind us, over the Plains of Abraham.
We waddled back to the hotel to unravel the layers and cuddle up in our lovely warm beds.
January 1, 2016
The first day of the year. I left Cathy cozy in bed while I went off in search of Art.
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My first photograph of 2016
I was headed to the Musee National des Beaux Artes, of course.
It was a perfect winter's day, crisp and fresh, with a clear blue sky.
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| I cannot claim any Inuit heritage, but as a Canadian, I am filled with pride by the spirit of the inukshuk. |
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| Incredible Inuit Art. |
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The view from inside the Musee.
The Musee National des Beaux Artes had an interesting exhibition of Quebecois artists. Unfortunately, the exhibition catalogue was only available in French. A bit disappointing for a 'National' museum in a bilingual country.
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When I made it back to the hotel, it turned out Cathy had enjoyed the amenities of the hotel, going for a sauna and a swim. We went out for a pretty disappointing late lunch, and a little walk before heading back to the warmth of the hotel.
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We ended the day back at the hotel, looking lovely as usual.
January 2 - Shopping Day
We took these scary stairs (known as the 'Breakneck Stairs') down to the lower town for some shopping.
This area is called the 'Quartier Petit Champlain.' It is the oldest commercial district in North America.
At one time, this area had become run-down. A group of artisans formed a co-operative and restored the area its former beauty and vitality. The shops are full of one-of-a-kind clothing, food, art, and jewellery.
After emptying our wallets, Cathy and I took the funicular back up to the Chateau Frontenac.
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For our last dinner in Quebec City, I dragged Cathy (kicking and screaming) to a gourmet burger joint, Chez Victor. She wanted steak, but I wanted a veggie burger. The meal was delicious (even Cathy had to admit it).
January 3 - Going Back to Oshawa
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| View from the train... |
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