Quebec City

Quebec City

Timing is everything they say. So is just plain dumb luck. The latter brought us to Quebec City on Aug 6, the first day of the La Fete Plein La Tete, or the Festival of New France. It is held every year in the old city and thousands dress up like the early French in costumes and put on shows, and exhibits and what all. The costumes are amazing. You would swear in the old city that you are walking around in the 17th Century. Reminded me of going back in history the day I was walking the mall in DC and came across thousands dressed in civil war costumes. Plays with the mind in a good way.

Looked at an excavation from the 1600’s of the original town. Very interesting seeing the old foundations of the early city. Right down to the foundations of the original latrines which of course I found most interesting and photographed to delight of Suzy. You just don’t find Pisseur history like this everyday.

I didn’t get a tricorn, the little three cornered hat the French wore but had my eye on a Quebec Nordique sweater. The city of Quebec is about 650,000 but they say this weekend it is will almost double in size. We will have to move our RV to another spot as we could only get one day here. The other spot is nearby so won’t take long. We are right on top of the city just across the St. Larent from town.

Also, with blind luck or Suzy’s good karma, we found an arts and crafts festival on the level of the Belevue judged festival in the NW. Amazing artisans, especially with wood. We got plenty of exercise walking the old city especially as it drops off 400 feet down to the waterfront, making for a great trip back up.

Was also told about the winter festival here which is amazing as well. Largest winter carnival in the world and lots of ice sculptures and even a hotel made of ice that you can stay in. Special beverage for winter carnival is the Caribou, made of brandy, vodka, sherry, and port. What no LaBatts or Molson. I did find Molson’s non alcoholic version of beer and it is not bad. Better then that Moose Piss they call Bitburger Drive. Speaking of piss again, only complaint I could muster about the beautiful Quebec City is all the horse drawn buggys don’t cathertize the horses pulling them. The odour of horse piss in some areas is enough to curl the tips of your tricorn. Always think of Kramer on Seinfeld and the horse “Rusty” when I see people taking these buggy rides.

When we leave Quebec City we will follow the St. Lawrence northeast until we turn inland around Matane toward New Brunswick. The French were good about naming everything “New this, or New that.” I guess they lacked imagination for an entirely new name. They should have called on the Indians more I think. Of course, I have heard that naming rights are expensive, just look at Safeco Field in Seattle. Maybe they should have called it the New Kingdome.