Judy Grillo
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I Heard Champlain Crying

8/19/2022

6 Comments

 
I’ve been in place for nearly a month and have made three crossings to visit Quebec City; staying away my first week as the Pope arrived with an expected crowd. This marks my fourth visit to Vieux Quebec since the late ‘70s so I’ve witnessed both the preservation of this beautiful city, and the cultural changes over a number of decades.

On my first day, I felt a little bored and a little stunned. Bored may be the wrong word versus feeling I’d “been there, done that” regarding the sites to see. The awe of seeing Le Chateau Frontenac, Petit-Champlain, Place Royale, etc. has worn off, though thankfully they’re still beautifully preserved. Unfortunately, what I did see is the degradation seen in Dubrovnik – overtourism –  too many visitors and a deterioration of cultural quality. Yes, I’m going to rant, but yes, my time here gets better. 

There’s a Starbucks at the Chateau with a sign facing the Dufferin Terrace near the tour bus congestion. Rue Saint-Jean is filled with places serving pizza, burgers and Italian food, and as I walked by the Irish pub, the guitarist was singing “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. I saw a McDonald’s, a Subway, and multiple Boutique Mary’s Popcorn shops, as well as redundant souvenir shops within the walls of Vieux Quebec. And while I understand the need for multilingual tours, most of the signage is now in French and English. 

J’ai vomi un peu.    

​Thankfully, I've learned when to take a deep breath and how to hit the restart button. So I left the neighborhood to sit outdoors at a quiet epicerie with a tarte au citron and ponder the map. There were indeed places I wanted to revisit, areas I’d never passed by, and a public art circuit of interest. And so it began... 
My original plans were to return to the USA in 48 hours and be in New England for my birthday. I've now decided to stay in Canada a few more weeks, and head to New Brunswick then Nova Scotia. More on that later as a bike ride along the river is calling me. 
6 Comments
Mike
8/19/2022 12:28:52 pm

I sure hope I find my passport!

You make it all look so wonderful - nice work indeed.

Reply
Judy
8/30/2022 10:53:31 am

Mike: Yes, Quebec Province is certainly a wonderful place to be. I'd be happy in Levis a few months out of the year! J.

Reply
Suzanne Tyler
8/25/2022 10:31:52 am

Looks lovely. My sister was just at Notre Dame and they had a mass for our mom on the third anniversary of her passing. She said it was so beautiful and emotional.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday with lots of pie!

Reply
Judy
8/30/2022 10:50:38 am

Sue: I could've met your sister? No birthday celebration till I return to people and mail etc in the USA. Not forcing it this year on the 29th. This means I can hold out on turning a year older, too, right?

Reply
Heidi Currier Ferris
8/29/2022 03:22:23 pm

Joyeux Anniversaire `a mon ami! Let me know when you will be back in New England.

Reply
Judy
8/30/2022 10:52:14 am

Heidi: Thanks for thinking of me though I'm ignoring the day till further notice! I must at least have mail to open :). I now know I'm dropping into Maine on 9/14 but can't think further than that at the moment. Expect I'll be in New England till mid-October unless snow appears early! Will be in touch! J.

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