If These Walls Could Talk

The walled city of Québec is an enchanting experience, especially after the hullabaloo of Montréal. Built between 1608 and 1871, imagine if these walls could talk. What would they say? No doubt something in French that I, as an undereducated American, would not understand...

Mia and I got driven into the old city by a sweet local woman who happened to be apartment hunting near where we were staying and who I just happened to make understand we don’t know where to catch the bus. She was kind and friendly and helpful, like all the lovely Canadians we have met. We began our exploration at the top of St. Jean and quickly walked past the expensive shops and wound our way to the expensive restaurants and ice cream shops where we splurged on lunch.

We walked past artists to stand on the terrace and view both the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and the St. Laurent River before taking a short ferry ride to Levis to view the sights from the opposite side. We walked the 9-10 flights up to see the old city while sweating and panting and to see the charming neighborhoods that make up the area. Back on the ferry , up the funicular for expensive ice cream for Mia and a much deserved rest on a bench under a covered pavilion overlooking the river before making our way back to our apartment and a nice fresh and easy meal of garlic chicken in wine sauce and crispy salad.

Maybe the walls would say, ‘Take time to relax and enjoy the moments. Sit under the pavillion, eat the ice cream and drink the wine.’