Quebec City: Part 4 - Hi jinks

My first night in the city I attended a social with the conference. After that I wandered around and found a couple of decent bars along the way. Eventually it started to rain pretty heavy so I ducked into the first pub along the way back to my Hotel. It turned out it was a hardcore francophone punk bar. It was pretty nuts hearing punk music in french - somehow it just seemed a lot less angry.

When I got back to my hotel and took off my new soaking wet dress shoes I got a surprise. The dye from the leather had seeped through and stained my feet. I scrubbed them down, even using the complimentary makeup remover in the bathroom, and this is the best I could get them.

Of course dirty feet doesn't discourage me. But, soon I encountered my most bitter enemy in it's natural environment. It was like my feet and society were mocking me.

 The only thing that could get me out of my feet funk was pounding them with the pavement to see what I could see.

And what a treasure I found  - the biggest celebrities in Quebec. Bonus points if you recognize the silver bearded one.

Things you learn on the road: Christina is an experienced wine drinker, but forks are an unknown to her.

Cannons are awesome

Wall are awesome.

I'm pretty sure I pulled something holding up my weight for this picture.

While on the Plains of Abraham I took the chance to campaign for love not war.

 Christina's knees got weak just being in the same spot as I was moments before.

 Needing a time-out Christina opted for a glass of wine and some chocolate mousse. I instead ordered a 9% beer and some bread. She's high class and I'm easily contented.

 The last bite of mousse.

My last meal in Quebec City - Lamb shanks. Delicious. 

And that concludes my trip to Quebec City. Until next time.

Quebec City: Part 3 - Portraits

After the conference, Christina and I walked around for a few days and took many pictures. Even with so many great sights to see, she still took a couple of shots of my ugly mug. To keep the camera from breaking I took some good shots of her.

Self-portrait in the rain

Lunch in front of the Hotel Frontenac

 Christina enjoying her Quiche Lorraine

Washing down her lunch.

Christina posing with the award won by our EEDC marketing department at the EDAC awards. 

 Hanging out near the Hotel Frontenac by the Cartier statue.

Christina chilling in front of the Hotel Frontenac.

Supper at Le Lapin Sauté. I had the rabbit duet: rabbit in a mustard sauce and a maple glaze sauce.

Looking out at the St. Lawrence from the Plains of Abraham.

 The leaves were starting to turn in the city, and I got Christina to pose in the maple trees.

Christina and I on my last day in the city split some escargot (snails) and some creme brule.

Quebec City: Part 2 - Landscapes and Buildings

The hills and scenery of Quebec City is outstanding. Whether it's the natural setting or the old brick buildings there is just so much to see.

Cannons on the top of the walls

Looking down at Low-Town and a cruise ship on the St.Lawrence from the wall.

Looking up towards the courthouse from below

Some cool buildings near a great park (Parc de l'Esplanade) inside the wall

The rockface halfway down Quebec City's longest staircase: The Cap-Blanc, 398 stairs.

The St. Lawrence at sunset.

Low-Town twilight.

Heading to the pub at night in the rain in the St. Roch area.

Quebec City: Part 1 - The Sights

Last week I was lucky enough to goto Quebec City to attend the Economic Developer Association of Canada's (EDAC) annual conference. It was a typical conference, many good connections made, some good seminars, some not so good. I decided to stay a couple of extra days on my own to mess around and see the sights of this beautiful city.

Fountain in front of Parliament

St. Louis Street in the walled section of Old Quebec

Christina also crashed the conference to see old friends and hung out for a couple days. Here she is in front of the Hotel Frontenac.

 The castle on the hill - Hotel Frontenac

Lots of cool things have occurred at the Hotel over the years but I thought the craziest was that this was the place where a good portion of D-Day was planned.

A lot of the planning went on in this ballroom which is now rented out for weddings, receptions and meetings. I have no idea what the cost would be to rent the room, but it's pretty swanky. The chandeliers are genuine crystal.

 A quick funicular ride down from the Hotel is Lo-Town. This area was my favorite.

 Notre Dame church and square in Low-Town.

 A great mural in Low-Town - pictures hardly do it justice.

In Low-Town I really liked this statue and the water that ran beneath it

Christina was a fan of all the brightly painted buildings. This one nicely matches her shirt and jeans.

Even the overpasses are works of art.

The Train Station and another cool fountain.

The St.Roch Cathedral.

Old and new Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (French for "National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec

So many awesome buildings and cool streets. Every time you take a corner you're floored by another great sight.