After a restful night we wake and take our time. I have to write up my blog from yesterday and it takes awhile to write. Bernie makes us breakfast and we don't really get out the door until 11. That is okay no big plans for today.
After two days of intensive touring we need a down day. With experience comes knowledge that you have to pace yourself. Sure we could of toured a lot more things today but we both knew it was better to have a "go at your own pace day".
Today is Saint-Jean Baptiste Day. It is a holiday celebrated on June 24 in Quebec and by French Canadians across Canad. It was brought to Canada by French settlers celebrating the traditional feast day of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. It has been declared a public holiday in Quebec and is celebrated all over with a variety of events. Many stores, restaurants etc are closed today.
This is my first Saint-Jean Baptiste Day in Quebec since 1981. We put on our temporary tattoos and we are set.
We walk to the festivities happening in our community of Limoilou. First thing I notice is it does not appear to be as a big an event as it was in the 70s.
Events are happening in Cartier-Brébeuf park only a few blocks from our apartment. This park is also a Canadian Historic site.
This park is designated a National Historic Site. In 1535 Jacques Cartier, guided by the two Iroquoians he had taken back to France on his previous voyage set out on a second expedition of Canada.
He was accompanied by 110 men aboard three ships. Throughout the summer he explored the St.Lawrence river. Of course in the winter he needed to camp over and he chose this spot at the confluence of the S. Lawrence and the St. Charles Rivers.
This location was chosen because he believed it would provide a suitable haven for his ships and crew and an easy spot to leave from in Spring.
A monument dedicated to Jacques Cartier
A cross that was erected because Jacques Cartier declared the
region French and Catholic in honour of France.
We take some time relaxing in the now iconic Red Chairs that is symbolic of the Canadian National Parks.
It is overcast today, which makes us happy. It has been so darn hot and muggy recently we are happy for a reprieve. But it does look like we may encounter showers so we decide to just stay in the neighbourhood.
We stop at a local coffee shop for a croissant and coffees and chat and reflect on this voyage. Hard to believe it is almost over. We will be in Cape Breton in one week.
Yes next Thursday we will be home. Originally we were going to stop in spots all over Nova Scotia including the Bay of Fundy and Halifax but the costs for places to stay just skyrocketed starting the long weekend of July 1st.
Since we are now retired we have to be conscious of the costs so we both said we will head home and we will return to these spots at another time when it is cheaper. Heck it is only a few hours from our new home.
After our coffees we start walking and we spot a local barbershop. Bernie needs a haircut. This is perfect! We stop and Bernie is getting his haircut and I start chatting with a guy who is good friends with the owner. He is from India and him and his family immigrated to Quebec 8 years ago. He said he spoke no French when he arrived but took intensive French classes the first year.
I asked why did you choose Quebec and not an English Province. He responded he wanted to go to Alberta as they did have some family there but his parents made the decision (as he was still not an adult at the time) to come here. Alberta was too expensive and his parents found Quebec to be a better option for cost and they wanted to learn French.
This man now has a family and a business and loves it here.
I shared our story and we spoke for a good half hour while Bernie got his haircut. We said our goodbyes as I shook his hand and I commented I am so glad he chose Canada and welcome.
Later we gathered our dirty laundry and did some wash at the laundromat is located just around the corner. Again a man arrived and started chatting with Bernie. They spoke for awhile and he found out this guy has travelled and worked all over British Columbia. He has been in Quebec for the last 12 years.
You know sometimes you need to be open to what is presented to you. Today was one of those days.
We decide to have a quiet evening in - a bit of normalcy. Plus I am finding eating out all the time to be way too much food and heavy. I miss the simpler healthier meals. So we have a lovely meal at home and tonight we are going to enjoy a quiet evening. Tomorrow we are off and travelling to New Brunswick.
No comments:
Post a Comment