Walking around Quebec City

Gloriously hot sunny day, so the Ottawackers hit the trail to wander down to the Civlisations Museum and our assignation with two exhibitions: one for the adults (Pompeii) and one for the smallest member of the family (Oh Shit!). And I kid you not.

Quebec City is so different from the rest of Canada. It is almost ridiculously self-evident to say it, but it is like a little piece of Europe chucked into the seething mass of Canada. You wander around and can understand the claims of "distinct society" and "separate nation". I love it. 

We wandered down the side streets, going under arches and by roughly hewn shacks against the massive cliff that served as such an incredible natural fortress. The buildings have been maintained with style and elegance; painted with thought and the idea of beauty front and centre; and almost every corner of the old town leaves you wanting more. 

The other thing you notice is the absence of appalling American-style box stores and chains. The restaurants are individual and interesting: Breton crepes (which we sampled); seafood places; rustic Quebec cuisine... If they wore masks, we'd be in every place there is, but the absence of facial coverings is one of the few things that has shocked me: maybe it is out of support for the pro-laic bill that the province passed a while back... or maybe against it.

Despite high hopes, the exhibitions were a bit "meh"; the pooh one was fine, I suppose, and enabled Ottawacker Jr. to pose with a big turd 0 as opposed to posing with his father, which us much more complicated.

Also have to admire the efforts to prevent graffiti: and the taggers response!!!