Quebec

Semi Finalist 2010 Teen Travel Writing Scholarship
We came from the country, from a town with a post office, two churches, a hardware store, and probably as many cows and horses as people. It took thirteen hours in a bus to haul the thirty or so students from their small town, to Quebec, a city of both modern and historical vibes.

We came from the country, from a town with a post office, two churches, a hardware store, and probably as many cows and horses as people. It took thirteen hours in a bus to haul the thirty or so students from their small town, to Quebec, a city of both modern and historical vibes. Arriving at the Hotel Must at around nine that night, we were surprised and a little too comatose to then appreciate our quirky tour guide. But he set us up for the night and away we went. The next two days were a whirlwind of knowledge, exploration, and an awe that only comes from those who rarely travel. We broke our breakfast bread (croissants to be exact) in a tiny cafe, with little leg room for thirty of us. We adventured along the streets of Old Quebec, inside the city walls, getting to know the land, the history, and a tour guide with whom we bonded. Art was a mainstay in Quebec, street performers commissioned by the city, murals to keep the bridges and buildings beautiful, dancers and performers setting up for a cirque du soliel. What more could you, ask? For someone who hates heights, the Funiculaire was a terrifying thought, but well worth the risk. One could see for miles, and it was spectacular. We were let loose for a scavenger hunt that led many of us to talk to the locals, using our high school French and embarrassed English. The effort was taken kindly and we got no cross words about butchering their language. From Montmorency Falls to Le Château Frontenac we saw it all. It was a rather rushed experience, and we all left craving more. We had only scratched the surface of the tempting city, but with two days that’s all we had hoped for.