February 20, 2006
Inexplicable pleasure trip.
The last couple days were the coldest we've had in Madison, Wisconsin in years. It was a good weekend to cocoon at home. It is utterly beyond me why Nina would see it as a good time for an impulsive pleasure trip to Quebec City, but she did, and she's got the photographs to prove it.
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4 comments:
The character and soul of this town (Quebec City) is not fully discoverable in warm weather. The surprise is in how much there is to do and enjoy not despite, but because of the bitter cold. And here's another surprise: temperature is like money. At some point it ceases to matter how many degrees or millions you have. Cold is cold. In effect, it feels no colder than on an average winter day back home. Except everyone is prepared for it and adjusts accordingly. Interior spaces are warm (unlike in Wisconsin where the pastime is keeping the thermostat down)!
I've never been to Francophone Canada, but have always wanted to go to PC in the winter. Have heard that their mardi gras puts others to shame largely because it's a bunch of crazy descendents of french fur-trappers in sub zero temperatures doing crazy stuff. Bravo for Nina for having braved the cold to see what something other than a Protestant winter might be.
Quebec City is a great place to visit any time of the year. The position of the city on the bluffs over the St. Lawrence provides magestic views. The National Art Gallery has a particularly nice spot.
You must be prepared for the dominance of the hill and the many cobbled streets, as it's a pedestrian city and you will come to grief if you are unprepared. Dealing with winter conditions makes it even more treacherous. You also need to ensure consumption of mass quantities of beverage alcohol, as that's the only way you'll handle the outdoors.
I'm happily following any and all advice. Canadian wine is surprisingly good.
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