about Quebec
October 12th 2008 00:49
Quebec is somehow an unreal city.
I think it's the steeple copper green tops of the castle buildings that made it. After all, real buildings, especially buildings in north America, don't need those pompous heavy medievalish green roofs, do they? and whey they rise big and high on hills (Castle Frontenac), they look much like rooting in the clouds fit for giants and spirits to live...by the way the train/bus station (Terminus Gare du Palais) was one of the castles too, although this one is on the street. But still. "Je me souviens (I remember)", the car plates here say, and I quickly learned they really really do. Unknowingly bumping into the 400th aniversary celebrations, I felt like walking in a whole city of history lesson shows; stages on which kids dancing in 17th century country dresses, costumed martial show of soldiers in grey and blue uniforms and Napolean hats, performance and film shooting of the settlement history of Quebec in the Petit Champlain Street that had in it wilderness, laboring and heroic battles (with the English), and the immense 600 meter long sound and light show of Quebec history at the water front, that was sheer visual bombardment. I also overheard a lecture with a scattered crowd in which " la France" and "patrimoine (heritage)" were mentioned in every other sentence, and I believe I got the gist, without understanding other words.
The petit Champlain street is one to feast the eyes, whether you're interested in the elegant crafts and gifts shops, or just the old restored street itself. A hugh eye-catching mural at the entrance of the street (la fresque du Petit-Champlain) showing the 18th century community sets up a nostalgic and artifull atmosphere. When night fell there were singers on the spacious Dufferin Terrace nearby. An old singer was singing one after another light French tunes, dittos, folk songs and maybe old timers, and keeping the beat with his foot. The audience, a semi-circle of four women cheered and swayed with the songs, some other people passed and stood to listen, and coins gathered. The light hearted rhythms set the rather chilly night space alive, although a short distance away another singer was singing and playing with no one listening and his guitar case empty.
| 25 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
