Quebec City, Quebec

People are quick to tell you the Quebec City is the most European city in North America. We heard it from people when planning our trip and I’ve heard it repeated several times from other travelers we have chatted up on the trip so far. It’s time to see what the fuss is all about. It’s true, what a truly unique city for this part of the world. In the old town, the streets are narrow and cobbled. Restaurants and cafes spill out onto the walkway in a very, well, European way. It’s hard to describe the city without comparing it to quaint, charming European towns. The buildings are historic and designed during a time where uniqueness was either appreciated or a necessity because every single boutique and bakery look so different from their neighbors. As if strung together with no plan or foresight. It creates a very unique sort of marketplace, what I imagine experiencing a medieval village or Daigon Alley would feel like. After the past few days we are anxious to get back to the wilderness but I can’t pass up such a hyped city, so we stressfully maneuvered the bus along the narrow roadways and tried to translate signs on the fly, it’s difficult enough to find RV parking in a city downtown when you know the language. Some festival was going on so all of our Google leads were useless. We eventually found a park where, after speaking with someone in a uniform, he let me park there for three Canadian dollars per hour. Perfect, I think? The signs don’t support me parking where he put me. We walked and walked and walked, put in our steps literally. We just followed Google Maps. It turns out half of the city is at the bottom of a cliff, the 400+ steps down were scary as hell and locals had to be rolling their eyes running by me while I clinch the railing, I remember thinking, I’d rather have a big splinter from this stupid wooden railing than let go even for a second. Amy and everyone else seem to think I’m overreacting but we were way high above nothing with big gaps all over these steps. I’m not the crazy one. We spent the descent discussing finding any other way back to the bus for when we return. We eventually turned a corner and the entire town came to life, hundreds of tourists like us flocking to see this uniquely European city. We chose to sit and eat at one of the cute restaurants spilling out onto the walkway. We spent time in stores full of local crafts but mostly nonsense and tchotchkes. We then walked to the slightly more modern part of town which was alive with locals commuting to work and endless field trips visiting the countless museums and historic sites. The city still is surrounded by the historic fortifications on all sides, every other major city in North America tore down their old walls while Quebec invested in saving them. This gives you an idea of the values of this place. We find the locals here to be friendly and non hostile towards English. We would find a steep hill back to the bus i would take over those stairs any day.

Reflecting on the bus. Every bump and rumble makes me nervous, it’s going to take some time to regain trust in the bus. It sucked at the time but didn’t ruin anything premier or the trip. We missed one amazingly beautiful spot, but I’ll return. The worst part is the trip was barely starting, it is hard to get in to the groove after such an exhausting ordeal. As a foreigner in a foreign land, we have to remember to be extra kind, super patient, and at least attempt our French, even if it’s incomprehensible, people are more likely to meet us in the middle. Occasionally I’m surprised how long it takes them to realize I don’t know what they are talking about, I must be able to pass for a local with my Bonjour.

After the city we still had three hours just to catch up to where we should’ve been. It’s hard to drive through the wilderness area we would have stayed in. It’s incredibly gorgeous here. We finally entered the boreal forest, known for its short summers and endless pine trees. It’s a dream, but it’s also known for rain, almost daily, and so we settle into an understanding that we must adapt and be prepared for ~~any~~ every weather.

With the bus parked in a campsite next to a fire pit, my body feels free from tension for the first time since the second the bus sputtered.