Well it was a short and sweet trip to Quebec city. I must admit that my first impressions were not all that great. I was very tired and it seemed to me that there was noise everywhere. Then Giulio showed up and explained to me that I was in the core of downtown (well, one of them, as I got further information later to the effect that there are two downtown in Quebec City) and this was rush hour. As we traveled through the city, I realized how much the place share with its european ancestry, the sweetly adorned houses going up and down hills, all freshly and brightly painted. The noise quickly faded away and the footsteps of people became one of the only thing we could hear.
We took some time to walk around then went to the Musee de la Civilisation, where Dragons from all the countries of the world where on display. The most impressive and intricate where the Japanese and Chinese, for whom the beast had heavenly traits that emperors would duplicate for themselves. In the courts, the nobles would be dressed in robes with dragons, use a dragon letter opener, use a censor with a dragon curled on top, carry jewelry of jade with dragon while the Emperor would sit on a throne, large and impressive with, again, a dragon watching over him. I could not help but think that I wanted one of those.
We then saw St-Foy, the most active suburb of Quebec City. I didn’t like the shopping mall atmosphere, long, unwalkable roads and shiny but soulless buildings that have cropped up there. We left soon enough.
We then walked on the Plains of Abraham, where the battle for the destiny of Quebec was waged. The sharpness of the cliff there made the climb and ultimate victory of the British all that more impressive.
We then had another person join us. By that time, it was getting late, so we ate in a great tasting restaurant where the service was less then stellar. We then walked all around the Vieux Quebec, which, under the sway of night, shone of orange glows, small intimate atmosphere. The trees and plants, the cobblestone road, the gorgeous ancient architecture, everything about the Vieux Quebec speaks of luxury. As the days get shorter until the 400 birthday of the City, the pride of the habitants in the beauty of the place is tangible. I wish I will be back next year to see Quebec in its full glory.
But for now it’s back to Montreal, on the way to Toronto.
