Challenge 1 - Arriving in Quebec City, and able to speak French, Quebec was supposed to be easy to navigate, however it was soon discovered that there are several differences between Quebec French and Standard French. Standard French proved only beneficial in reading menus, signs etc. Most locals in the tourist areas are able to speak English, however, in the suburbs many hand gestures were needed.
Challenge 2 – Trying to see all the wonders of this city in one day was unbelievably difficult. You could spend days wondering around and exploring the city area alone.
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| Entrance to Old Quebec |
Old Quebec is a absolutely fascinating. It is a very hilly area, with several blocks of very old streets and avenues and has an old European feel to it. Lots of stone and brick buildings. Cobbled narrow streets with entertaining French music playing. Artists completing their works of art in the streets. Musicians singing and playing their instuments. All kinds and shapes of peoples filling the avenues with a great variety of languages being spoken and entertainers on nearly every corner.
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| Parliament House, Quebec City |
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| Inside the Plains of Abraham |
The “modern” Quebec City has a Parisian feel, which provides you a sense of how things have changed in the city. It is well worth taking a horse and carriage ride beginning in Old Quebec, and finishing in “new” Quebec to get a real sense of the beauty and historical significance of this City.
One word of advise when exploring this wonderful city - wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking around for hours but it is well worth walking down all of the cobblestone streets, looking around every corner and wondering into the many small shops. At the end of the day, you will very gratefull for the opportunity to pay the $2CA to catch the sky train back up to the top of the cliff - it's well worth the $2.
