Tres Bien, Quebec, Tres Bien!

If Montreal was like being in another country, well, Quebec City was like being in another continent. From the moment Benoit, my couchsurfing host picked me up and we ventured to the local markets where everyone conversed fully in French, to arriving at his home to find out I was the only one who didn't speak french (thankully most of them also spoke English), it was quite obvious I'd need to adjust quite quickly. 'Bonjour, parlet vous francais?' (Good morning, do you speak English?) and 'Moi Francais parlet pa beacoup' (Which I was informed is a very rough, yet endearing 'Me French speak not well'), became my most used phrases during my time three days in Quebec City.

With his expansive and extremely handy local knowledge, Benoit took a group of those staying at his house (a combination of Belgian, Portugese and French) to a show that he refused to give away any information on, other than to say we'd like it. As we arrived and circumnavigated the crowds to find a pristine viewing position, the show began, and before long we realised it was none other than a show put on by Cirque Du Soleil. I'd never managed to see a Cirque Du Soleil show in Perth, but it was quite easy to see why the shows are so highly rated as the performers completed have to be seen to believed acrobat feats.

Cirque Du Soleil

After heading down to the waterfront to watch a fireworks competition heat (they actually exist), myself and three Belgian guys also staying with Benoit headed off in search of some decent Belgian beer, in what turned out to be a masterclass for me on everything beer related. I guess beer really is religion over there.

I was up early the next day, especially so given the education I had been undertaking the night prior, and  heading into downtown Quebec. My day of exploring on foot took me through Haute-Ville (upper town), Basse-Ville (lower town), and Vieux Quebec (old-town). At times, especially in the older areas of the city, I'd completely forget that I was still in North America and not in Europe. Highlights included the spectacular Chateu Fontenac, Dufferin Terrace, and Place-Royale. A ferry ride across the the Saint Lawrence river provided panaromic views of the old-town and city walls, with the Chateau perched prominently atop.

Chateu Fontenac to the left on Dufferin Terrace

Palace Royale

An annoyingly wet day the next day included a visit to Montmerancy Falls, the highest falls in Quebec, and 30 metres higher than Niagara Falls. It was prior to a visit to the falls, though, that I ventured to the Grand Theatre of Quebec to attend a performance put on by the Orchestre symphonique de Québec (Quebec Symphony Orchestra) in conjunction with Opera Singer Jessye Norman, after receiving complimentary tickets from a friend I made in Montreal.

Whilst not a massive opera fan, I couldn't help but be impressed by Ms Norman's performance, and found myself getting goosebumps as she belted out 'Amazing Grace', and even 'You Will Never Walk Alone'. I was equally, if not more impressed, by the Orchestra alone performing a stunning rendition of the ET Themesong. The crowd at the event must have been as equally impressed as I as they engaged in what may or may not have been a world record attempt for the longest standing applause.

I headed back to Montreal the next day thanks to  lift from Benoit, and headed onward to none other than Boston Massachussets, and the first stop in my last stretch of the States, as I head down the east coast.