Quebec

June 13, 2011. We left the Pumpkin Patch and headed towards Quebec. At the border the guard asked some questions including whether or not we had any weapons or ammunition. I was truthful and told him that what I had was being stored for me back at the campground we had just left. We were told to pull into a parking area where two inspectors searched our motor home. Wouldn’t you know that we forgot one pepper spray? They seized it. So add another 10 minutes or so to fill out the paper work. This is the second time I’ve been caught with pepper spay. The last time we were returning from Alaska and they got me in Toronto. I had carried in my back pack from Florida to Alaska to there before anyone found it. There are 14 RV’s in our caravan and 4 of us got searched. We were warned not to try to take any pictures at the border.

The next day we went on a guided tour of the city. Quebec was founded by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. He had been in this area earlier with Jacques Cartier (he explored and named Canada) and as they were exploring this area he realized this would be a perfect location for a city for two reasons: first, at this location the St. Laurence River narrows to about 1 km (0.6 mi) and second there a large hill over looking the river. So, the hill would make the city easier to defend and the fort would have command of the river.

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It is the only city in North America that has preserved its defenses, it is a walled city. There are several gates that allow modern day traffic to flow into and out of the city. There the citadel is home to an active regiment.

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Because of the topography the city has two major parts, referred to as Upper and Lower town. Our guide said it has a very low crime rate and that many residents don’t bother to lock their doors at night. It is also a very clean city. I saw several people stop, pick and dispose of paper and assorted trash on the ground. Quebec is a city with Elm trees. The city inoculates each tree in order to protect them from elm disease.

The city is filled with old but well maintained buildings. I was told it was a beautiful city and there is no doubt about it. It is much like the older sections of European cities. Below is the parliament building. It has many statues honoring the founding fathers of Canada. In front the center of the round-about is a beautiful fountain, the Fountaine de Tourney

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The Chateau Frontenac is now a hotel. We walked around the lobby and some of the hallways looking at the various shops. We had a little chuckle as a tourist was in a shop asking the price on some articles, as she left she was saying to her companions “No wonder they call me a Wal-Mart shopper”

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There are many statues around the city. Here are Champlain and Joan de Arc

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There are a lot of shops for tourists to spend their money. While you wouldn’t consider this a “cheap” town to visit we did find a bargain. There are little electric busses you can ride around for a dollar, which is called a luni. (sounds like “looney”). We came upon a little church and many interesting buildings. We wandered around between Upper and Lower town. You can walk from Upper to Lower town. Gravity is on your side on the way down and for a tuni ($2 Canadian) you can ride a Funicular up. Actually you can ride it both ways

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A fun day but by the time we got back to the motor home my flat feet were begging for mercy.

There are more pictures at: http://summer2011jb.shutterfly.com/pictures/695