Québec: Day 2... Oh My!

We have truly hit the Québécois ground running. I feel like a kid in a candy shop. There is just so much here to see and do. I know we'll slow down as the days pass, but for now, we are experiencing Québec ravenously.

One must was a visit to the Parliament Building and its gardens.

Eugène-Étienne Taché created this building, a veritable monument to the glory of the women and men who marked the history of Québec and French America.

Built between 1877 and 1886 in the Second Empire architectural style, and influenced by the expansion work of the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Parliament Building is a unique construction and is recognized as a national historical monument of Québec. Both by its architecture and by the richness of its decoration, it illustrates the theme I remember, which later became the motto of Québec.

Touring is welcoming and free. We chose to do a self-guided explore.

Upon entering, we were asked to slow down and take the time to enjoy the immersive experience of Le Spectre des Lumières (Spectrum of Enlightenment), by Jonathan Villeneuve. "This unique work of art interacts with what is going on around it and invites you into an environment encouraging introspection and reflection. Its title refers to the Age of Enlightenment, a historical period rich in philosophical, political, social, scientific and artistic developments."

Prior to embarking on our tour, we dined at the Café du Parlement. It seems we were in good company as we were the only tourists dining amongst the staff. What fun.

We didn't delve too deeply in the government aspect of this tour but we did admire the art, like this stained glass canopy made by the studio Maison Gauthier et Frères (1918). It features Québec's former coat of arms at the bottom. The coat of arms depicts three key periods in Québec's history: the two fleur de lys represent the French Regime (1534-1763), the lion, the British Regime (1763-1867) and the maple leaves, the years following Canadian Confederation. Beautiful.

What we did discovered is they are not afraid of color here. How about this red room- the Legislative Council Chamber? Formerly, the Legislative Council was the upper house of the Québec Parliament, the equivalent of the Canadian Senate. Québec was the last Canadian province to abolish its upper house, in 1968. Today, the Legislative Council Chamber is used for parliamentary committee deliberations, official ceremonies, and special events.

The blue room is considered the heart of Québec democracy: the National Assembly Chamber. This prestigious, richly decorated room has been the home of parliamentary debates since 1886.

What a glimpse into a government we know nothing about. I really appreciate how welcoming it was and so very interesting.

Oh, and as one walks through the gardens of the Parliament Building upon exiting, one can observe different species of trees, shrubs, and plants representing the wide variety of flora in Québec.

I delighted in the bees!

Our evening was spent on the streets of the Petit-Champlain district where we were invited to "travel back in time to the founding of Québec over 400 years ago. The sense of history in this square is palpable. Nearby street Petit-Champlain will make you feel like you’ve landed in a fairytale." Oh man, so dang true. Basse-Ville (Lower Town) has so much to offer, including a cardio workout to return to Haute-Ville (Upper Town) where we are staying.

Place Royal is the site of the First French Settlement in North America and is, of course, steeped in history. It was here that Samuel de Champlain chose to erect his habitation which served as a fort, storehouse, trading post, and residence after his arrival in 1608. With its enchanting surroundings, the square feels like a real-life time capsule.

When does one see a home from 1688? This one belonged to Louis Couillard de L'Espinay- a fisherman, hunter, and lord who was born here in 1629 and baptized that May, just two months before the city's capture by the Kirke Brothers. Wild.

Some scenes just need to be share sans comment.

Dinner was onion soup au gratin with red beer on the delightful patio of Q-de-Sac Resto-Pub. It will not be the last time we dine there.

All through town, we are discovering the unusual and surprising art Les Passages Insolites.

Les Passages Insolites invites professional artists to create temporary, yet unique, pieces scattered throughout, just waiting to be discovered. It's an art scavenger hunt and I love it.

We had read about this door, prior to arriving in town. It has to do with a very popular South Korean soap opera which was filmed here and is drawing waves of tourists from Asia to the provincial capital.

Last year, the series Goblin: The Lonely and Great God brought its megastars here, incorporating features of Québec's historic sites into the television drama's storyline. With 250 million viewers across Asia (and it turns out NY), the soap opera's fans are now crossing the ocean to see the city for themselves. Although no one paid any attention to it a year ago, the door is a magical portal in the television series, allowing one of the main characters to step from his office in Korea into Old Québec. And why did I say "and it turns out Peru"? I got a text from my friend, Jan, last night, asking me "Have you found the red door on a narrow street that is the Korean drama's Goblin series trademark?" When I responded and asked her how she knew about it, she replied that her NY friend is a big fan. Small world.

Speaking of scavenger hunts, my goal is to see all the murals Québec has on display. The first one found is La Fresque du Petit-Champlain by MuraleCréation. "As part of our monumental wall design projects, we design and create long-lasting, high-quality pictorial works: frescoes, painted wall paths adapted to the places... We thus contribute to improving the image of the city and the environment. company in a sustainable and responsible perspective. Citizens find pride and satisfaction in it."

Some things are just so cute. Here is the Crazy Pig peeking into the window of Cochon Dingue.

We sat mesmerized for over an hour listening to harpist David Ogalde. We will return to Basse-Ville just for him.

Do googly eyes randomly placed crack you up? While I know it's a form of graffiti, this image made me laugh.

Dessert was a campfire crêpe.

Our ultimate reason for being here was for a performance at the Théâtre Petit Champlain, a part of the cultural fabric of Québec City from its opening in the mid-19th century.

And what did we come to see? "Supertramp Memories has been on stage in theaters and festivals in Québec and the rest of Canada, seducing the biggest Supertramp fans with its rigorous and energetic interpretation of the group's greatest hits. Having performed to sold-out houses (tonight's included), the group offers a breathtaking show."

For those who don't know, Supertramp was a British rock band, formed in London in 1970. Its greatest global success happened in 1979 with the sixth album, Breakfast in America. It is that album which made Steve and I fans.

This tribute band made us feel as if we had seen our 80's musical crush. What was even more cool, however, was the cultural experience of being in a theater full of Quebecers! The intimate table seating made fast friends of everyone there. We are pretty certain we were the only Americans and between songs, the performers' commentary (in French) had the audience laughing. Everyone was totally into this band. What a cultural opportunity and so dang fun.

After the concert we were in a hurry to get back to Haute-Ville. We splurged spending 10$ CAD for a quick, though thrilling, ride on the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec.

We traveled travel up the cliff face at a 45-degree angle for 282' feet. I can't even imagine how long it would have taken me to get back. It was worth every loonie (Canadian dollar).

Why were we in such a hurry? Fireworks! Grands Feux Loto-Québec rivals most pyrotechnic shows we have seen and happens every Tuesday and Thursday through August 24th. We did not want to miss tonight's.