Quebec City

 

I am writing this blog post on the VIA Rail train back from Quebec

City. We are riding business to see how it feels to act like the elite.

Here are my thoughts on my birthday weekend in Quebec City.

If you asked me four days ago what I could tell you about Quebec

City, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you much other than the

Québec Nordiques had a hockey team and Carnival happens

every February. I now know slightly more things about Quebec

City. 

Quebec City is super old. Looking for the oldest hospital.

You’ll find it Quebec City. Looking for a 400-year-old pub?

You’ll find it in Quebec City. 

Did we explore anything other than old Quebec City? Of course not.

Do you know a good way to spend a birthday dinner? Steakhouse.

Getting a glimpse of how the rich live is a tough way to live because

going back makes it harder to be a commoner. 

Quebec City has a lot of gift shops.  Do you want a coffee mug

Quebec City has 2 million. Do you want a Quebec shirt?

I’ve got one for you and your grandmother. Do you want a postcard?

You better bet your bottom dollar Quebec City postcards for you

and your family. If you’re looking for some art, this place is filled

with galleries. This was our favourite:

https://galeriebeauchamp.com/en

I also learnt that there is a company that will take a picture of your iris

and make it into art.

https://en.irisgalerie.com/

Wow! Amazing. Actually, it is pretty neat.

Apparently, this door is famous:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/korean-soap-opera-quebec-city-1.4201193

Lots of hills, we watched a video about what not to do in

Quebec City and the American's advice was one, be prepared

for lots of hills;  number two, don’t be a loud American

because it’s a quiet, small town. Apparently, word might’ve

gotten out about how Americans are.

The only real downside was that it rained for the entire time

that we were there. However, that made it easier to spend

time gaming and watching basketball instead of exploring

the rainy city.

Does Quebec City need a bubble guy? 

We took a ferry to some other part of the area, and I’m a big fan

of boats.

The food in Quebec City is wild. The city is filled with

put in pogo’s, pea soup clam chowder, French onion soup,

eggs Benedict, ham, popcorn, maple syrup, cheese shops

and maple syrup pies. If you’re looking at losing a few pounds,

I’d avoid Quebec City. If you’re looking at practising your

French and eating as much dairy as your body can handle,

then Quebec City is the place for you.

Lots of tourists. I’m sure the whole town isn’t filled with tourists,

but old Quebec is filled with people taking selfies and

children running wild. Every other building is a hotel.

You see that building over there? That’s a hotel.

See the building beside it? You better believe that’s an Airbnb.

Beside that? That’s a gift shop, but beside that, that’s a hotel.

Apparently, lots of Quebec City is haunted or has ghost sightings.

Unfortunately, we stayed in a place that had no ghosts.

I will be rectifying that mistake on our next visit to Quebec City.

Here are a few other interesting facts about our time in Quebec City.

-Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, it’s one of the oldest European

cities in North America.

-Québec City was the capital of New France until the British took control in 1759.

-The Battle of the Plains of Abraham (1759) was a key turning point in Canadian history. 

-The Château Frontenac is the most photographed hotel in the world.

-The Citadelle of Québec is the largest British fortress in North America still in use.

-Québec City was once the capital of Canada (from 1859 to 1865) before Ottawa

-The walls surrounding Old Québec make it the only fortified city north of Mexico.

-Québec was the center of Catholicism in New France and has over 130 churches.

-The Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Québec is the oldest church in Canada.

-The Port of Québec is one of the oldest in Canada and handles over 200 cruise ship visits annually.

-Québec City has an underground ice monitoring system in the St. Lawrence River to track freezing.

-It was the site of pivotal events such as the 1759

Battle of the Plains of Abraham, which led to British control

and reshaped the continent’s colonial future.

The city also hosted the 1864 Quebec Conference, helping lay

the foundation for Canadian Confederation.

-The Québec Nordiques were known for their passionate fans,

fierce rivalry with the Montreal Canadiens, and iconic blue

fleur-de-lis jerseys. In 1995, due to financial struggles,

the team was sold and relocated to Denver,

becoming the Colorado Avalanche.

In summary, Quebec City is a cute little romantic town that is a fun

train ride away. 

If you’re into food, history, and La Francophonie, make a trip to

Quebec City.

“Québec doesn’t shout—it enchants.”