East Coast Road Trip: Quebec City
I’d been to Quebec City once for a few days with my grade seven class. I remember trying to order poutine in French, and then having the employee at the restaurant asking me what I wanted to drink – in English.
But I was too young to really appreciate it as an experience. So we don’t count that one.
Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City
This trip with my grandparents allowed me to revisit the beautiful city and really take in the culture all around me. I always thought Old Quebec was a lot different than the Canada I was used to seeing. Even throughout this Maritimes road trip, the architecture will never be as beautiful as it was in Quebec.
My favourite thing about this trip was honestly just noticing the beautiful intricacies of the city and taking as many photos as possible. But my second favourite part was that this time, my French classes didn’t go to waste.
My French is extremely rusty and definitely not fluent, but using pieces of a language that isn’t one you’re comfortable with to get further in your travels just makes you feel so accomplished.
As a child, saying “Je vais prendre un poutine” seemed like magic, and the lady behind the counter didn’t even throw me a bone. This time, I used my butchered French to speak with the bus driver to ensure we were going the correct direction, and by the end of our few days in the city, I felt like I was understanding a lot more French.
Also, if we’ve gotten this far and you still don’t know what a poutine is – fries, cheese curds and gravy.
For the love of all that is good and holy, please do yourself a favour and try one as soon as you get the chance. It is heavenly and wonderful Canadian comfort food.
I think this stop on our trip is where I really saw my travel confidence come through for the very first time. I’d been to this place before and was ready to lead my family around the city. I knew the poutine place we had to visit; I knew the art I wanted to photograph; I knew how to speak with the locals. And that confidence peeking through my personality to the surface really was very new for me at that age.
I wasn’t confident with my friends or at school, even though I had every right to be. I was just always shy and unsure and needed validation. But this was where I realized for the first time that I could be a leader. Seeing those leadership qualities in myself made me feel like I could go on a trip on my own one day – no parents, no grandparents, just me and a friend or two.
