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Quebec Travel Blogs

Background: A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Canada's paramount political problem is meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services after a decade of budget cuts. The issue of reconciling Quebec's francophone heritage with the majority anglophone Canadian population has moved to the back burner in recent years; support for separatism abated after the Quebec government's referendum on independence failed to pass in October of 1995.

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By mwink
January 4th 2006

Grande Bibliotheque Nationale

North America » Canada » Quebec » Montréal

Library

Was built in August 2005. Pretty modern-looking, but didn't have much books that I was looking for. And I couldn't go on the internet without a library card. [View Full Entry]

By mwink
January 3rd 2006

Downtown Montreal and McGill University

North America » Canada » Quebec » Montréal

Downtown

Pretty lights downtown. I finally got around to visit the Downtown campus of McGill University. I love the statue of James McGill braving the snow. Was a little disappointed by the classrooms in the main building - very old and not too pretty. But I really like the whole atmosphere and vibrancy of downtown Montreal, as well as the cool bookstore really closeby. [View Full Entry]

By catmcq
January 2nd 2006

Canada!!!

North America » Canada » Quebec » Montréal » Old Montréal

Montreal

We arrived in Montreal on the 17th Dec Jenn drove us which was great on the Saturday night we stayed in a Hotel near Cresent Street so we would close to bars and clubs for going out it was a real nice hotel and we had a class night although I dont think the drinking games went down too well with Amanda and Jenn but they recovered after and hour and so and we were all set for going out on the town!! We went to a few clubs and bars but it was expensive so ended up just heading back [View Full Entry]

By mwink
December 31st 2005

Québec City

North America » Canada » Quebec » Québec City

St Lawrence River
View from Montmorency Falls.

Started my tour to Quebec City at 7:30 in the morning, with 3 Brazillian friends. Quebec is 3 hours away from Montreal by bus. First stop was at Montmorency Falls, the highest waterfall in North America. Was there for an hour. Really didn't need that much time. It was freezing cold. -20 to -30C. Felipe kept getting "frozen" by the cold weather. Next, we visited Place Royale. An important historic site in front of the walled fortress. Had to see Chateau Frontenac and the Old Quebec Ville of course. It was a very pretty little part of town, but I must [View Full Entry]

By mwink
December 29th 2005

Casse-Noisette

North America » Canada » Quebec » Montréal

Nutcracker Ballet
Reception.

Came back braving through the frozen rain after watching "The Nutcracker" at Place des Arts with 19 other students at my school. Was fantastic. Would be even more fantastic if I weren't so sleepy. I slept through the whole intermission. Was glad I did so too because the second half was so much more spectacular. I got moved up a level in French after 2 interviews and my teacher's recommendation. Transferring from the old class of 12 people, to my new class of 3. This morning, when I was awaiting the news, I didn't care as much if I got to [View Full Entry]

By Gruxy
December 28th 2005

Leaving Home in 6 days

North America » Canada » Quebec

Winter

Terry and I are leaving God's country shortly to travel 107 days- 105 on the good ship Priensendam of the Holland America line. We will be boarding the ship in Fort Lauderdale and going south. First stop is Barnados and towns on the eastern coast of South America; we cross the Equator around the Amazon river where January and February become Summer. Big towns there are Rio the Janeiro in Brazil and Buenos Aires in Argentina. We continue down to Antarctica, see Cape Horn, penguins then travel by the Seychelle Islands as we cross the south Atlantic to Africa arriving at [View Full Entry]

By mwink
December 26th 2005

Centre-commerciale souterraine

North America » Canada » Quebec » Montréal

Atrium Le 1000
Skating rink.

Boxing Day in Montreal is crazy. Loads of people lining up to spend. I didn't end up enjoying many good deals because I don't like queues. Was first at Bonaventure metro's Atrium Le 1000 - a skating rink. Really, I was fumbling my way to the fabled Underground shopping centre. Turns out that when I reached the Grand Station, it was only a small part of the entire Underground City. No wonder I was disappointed by the lack of shops there. The restaurants, however, had very cool decorating. Each of them. The way that it seems like they spent a fortune [View Full Entry]

By mwink
December 24th 2005

Notre Dame Basilica

North America » Canada » Quebec » Montréal » Old Montréal

Notre Dame Basilica

I felt a little adventurous today, so I took the metro and did a little exploring around the old European part of town - Old Montreal. The Notre Dame Basilica was pleasantly around the corner once I stepped outside of the mall that was connected to the metro station at Place D'armes. I was already happy to see the European-style buildings. It only took me $2 to get in because I'm under 18. No surprise, the Notre Dame was very beautiful, as evident in the pictures. I'm not sure if it's because of the whole Christmas ordeal, but a lot of [View Full Entry]

By mwink
December 23rd 2005

Joyeuses fêtes

North America » Canada » Quebec » Montréal

Downtown Montreal

I've had 3 days of classes now at LSC, downtown Montreal. And I've been finding the level I've been placed in - higher intermediate - a little easy. The reading is nothing new and the grammar is review for me. I spoke to Ana and she'll figure something out with my teacher next week - whether I can move up a level to advanced. I'm only here for 3 weeks, with 1 already down. I need a real challenge before I go. Today was a day off because of the Christmas weekend. I'm going to take a trip to Old Montreal [View Full Entry]

By mwink
December 18th 2005

Fortune Teller at the Metro

North America » Canada » Quebec » Montréal

It Sure Is Xmas
We've got spirit, how 'bout you?

While I was waiting to change lines at the Metro, I dropped a quarter for a Chinese man playing the accordion. It was pretty good. Then he asked if I was Chinese, and started talking to me in Mandarin. He ended up asking me for my birthdate and told my fortune. He says I'm a lazy dragon with a big temper, and one day will be a woman of great power. 2005's been a great year for me, but the luck will end this month. Next year won't be so hot, but '07 and '08 will run smoothly again. '09 will [View Full Entry]

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