| | It's nice to be able to sit down and finally write more about my trip. Sitting at the terminal in Jean-Lesage Airport waiting for my ride home, I am plucking on my computer in the spanking-new building. So on goes my trip...
Stop 3: Montreal
Vieux Montreal, Basilique Notre-Dame, Musee des Beaux-Arts, Rue Ste. Cathrine, Musee McCord d'Histoire Canadienne ($13), the Underground City, Montreal Chinatown, Bulevard Saint-Laurent, Place d'Arms, Parc Olympique, Cheateau Ramezay Museum
Montreal is a very nice place to visit. There are lots of places to visit and the city itself is pretty well connected through the subway. So you can get to any of the sites relatively easily. The hostel that I stayed it was nice and clean, and the locals there are nice. Met one of my mom's friends and he helped me with getting oriented with the city. That was nice of him. Old montreal has some really cool architecture and their museums are well worth going to. I can't believe I spent much of the entire day going through the Musee des Beaux-Arts. I was surprised that I enjoyed the visit so much as I don't know much about art history. I went to a comedy club in Montreal, and that was fun... those guys do improv very well.
Also, the poutine is Montreal was very good; but their fries itself (the greasy fries that Montreal is known for) was a little to greasy for my liking. I did find a place which serves smoked meat; but they ran out by the time I got there :( Also, next time, I would love to find more night life in Montreal, and go on the Lachine Rapids boat ride.
Stop 4: Quebec City
Plains of Abraham, Basse-Ville, Funicular , Vieux Quebec, Citadel, Musee du Fort, Masion Chevalier, Parc de l'Artillerie, Vieux Port
I made a huge mistake by booking a hotel (mistake 1) in Saint-Foy (mistake 2) which ended costing much more than I have hoped for. Anyway... So I rode the train from Montreal to Ste-Foy; adjusting to the difference in distance between the two train station to where the hotel is. The hotel is real nice--when you stayed in hostels for a while you appreciate the hotel experience. Anyway, why is staying there a big mistake? Well first the price you pay for a hotel versus a hostel--$150/night vs $40/night. Second, Ste-Foy is a $30 cab ride away from Old Quebec. It would have been the same if I booked a really fancy hotel near Old Quebec; enjoying 5-star luxuries and being able to walk back and forth around downtown Quebec. Anyway, enough griping, I still enjoyed it.
Quebec is well worth the visit--so much history in and around the walls, so much of Canada's firsts happened there. The architecture is similar to Old Quebec, and with some buildings you can see the difference between french and british colonial architecture. Also, the first jail that rehabilitates inmates in north America is also at Old Quebec. That got me thinking about incarcerated inmates and should society treat them as people.
It was at Quebec that I enjoyed the advantages of traveling alone. You know those places where you can stay there forever? Well I found one in Quebec City--on the Dufferin Terrace. Sitting on the promenade where Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt and Sir Wilfred Laurier met to discuss the progression of WW2, it was such a relaxing atmosphere. Facing the St. Lawrance, with accordion music playing nearby and people strolling about; I found heaven. I found a bench and I sat there for the most part of the day. It was wonderful as I can stay there as long as I liked.
Also as I visited museums in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec, I found one thing in common: how people those before us welcomed those who are new on the land, helped each other to face difficult circumstance--whether it was the harsh canadian winter, or war, or whatever. Everyone helped each other, to build up this place we call Canada, our home. Sure we all have our differences; but we, as a nation, has learned to work around them and are able to celebrate the ability for us to work together and help each other. I think that's an awesome accomplishment. I can only imagine that better things are yet to come to our great country.
So as I am just about to board on the plane that takes me home, I can say that it was an good trip. I've learned many things about Canada and "the Canadian people". I would for sure visit some of these places again. |
| | Posted 7/27/2008 2:02 PM - 25 Views - 2 eProps - 1 Comment
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