Quebec City

On February 5^th, 9 of the scholars headed up to Quebec City for the notorious Winter Carnival. At 7:30am sharp, we were packed and ready to go. Two cars full, ipods charged, and several Tim Horton’s breakfast bagels and we were on our way.

The drive was beautiful. Blindingly white fields, slightly antiquated houses reminiscent of a slower, quieter time. Rows and rows of greenhouses begged the question, “what does grow in Quebec during this time of year?” From personal experience, I can tell you: close. to. nothing.

We arrived at Auberge Michel Doyon around 11:30pm. After attempting for what felt like an hour to communicate in French (darn I need to learn this language!), we were able to check in to our rooms and head downtown. As we descended from the 7min bus ride into the heart of Quebec City, we stood in awe at the spectacular architecture of the city.

The old part of the city or Vieux Quebec – as the Quebecois call it – borders the Saint Laurent river and is surrounded by massive walls giving it a fort-esque feel to it. Inside the walls, street performers and activities flooded the terrain. To our left: a children’s hockey game, to our right: a down-hill race car tournament, on top of the hill: the Carnival.

Ice sculptures adorned the landscape. The parliament stood as a magnificent Second Empire monument to Quebec’s rich political history. The Bonhomme, with his weirdly creepy smile, greeted us at the entrance. The rest of the day can only be described as a blur of uncontrollable laughter, extreme downhill madness, and finger-licking goodness.

On Sunday we drove out to the legendary Ice Hotel where beautiful, intricate decorations laid softly upon the icy walls. Inside: hotel suites with fur-covered beds, a chapel lined with carefully designed benches, and gaudy chandeliers hung drastically from the ceiling - all made of ice. Tourists paced to and fro, joyfully snapping future memories of ephemeral spaces bound to disappear.

After lunch, we took the ferry from Quebec City to Levis across the river. Shattered ice coated the river, drifting leisurely towards unknown destinations. The ferry gradually slicing the ice’s tough exterior as it cruised northward to Levis. From a distance, you could see the city lights, glimmering peacefully against the night sky like jewels waiting to be discovered and their stories to be explored.