I Heart Quebec!

I really shouldn’t be all that surprised that a city full of cheese, wine, chocolate and beautiful art and scenery would win me over. I guess I am surprised at how quickly I have fallen head over heels in love with Quebec City. For those who have been, you must completely understand. For those of you who haven’t, you should drop everything, jump on a plane and visit this quaint, European-esque city in the heart of Quebec Province. It is well worth the trek, as today on my tours I met visitors from all over the USA, Brazil, Portugal and France. Six million visitors flock to Quebec city each year, and for a darned good reason!

Welcome!

So Quebec City was our final blood clinic cruiser event. While blood clinics are a absolutely vital necessity in every community, I can’t completely say that I am heartbroken at the thought of a different type of event. I have seen more blood this week then I ever want to again, but it was for a good cause and I am so very proud of all of those who have donated. Including my new friend Sophie at the Delta Quebec. Sophie started with Delta this week. She has never given blood before and was very nervous going in. However, she overcame her fears and donated without any issues. In the end she was extremely proud of herself (as were we!) for doing something so simple, yet so impactful. For every one pint of blood collected, four recipients lives may be saved. What an amazing thing to do. While the team were aiming for a total of 70 donours, they hit a fantastic 60!!

Mon Amie Sophie!

So all day the hotel had been hinting at a surprise for Jean and I at the conclusion of the blood-clinic. We were very excited and nervous, as we had no idea what it could be. However, come three o’clock we were elated to find out that our surprise was a horse-drawn carriage tour of the city. We were accompanied by the very fantastic General Manager of the Delta Quebec, Monsieur Stephan Guy. After touring the city and a little break back at the hotel, Jean and I headed out for our night on the town. We started with the cities best poutine (as per many locals) at Le Cafe Ashton. We then met Stephan and all walked down to the free Cirque du Soleil show which was held under a bridge close to the hotel. It was my first Cirque show and I was already in love with the wild costumes and stunning acrobatics. Once the show finished, I thought that the evening couldn’t get any better, but Stephan was right in that it did.

Ashton Poutin! Yum!

Stephan took Jean and I to see Le moulin a image. It is a film composed by famous Quebec director Robert Lepage. The film is all images of Quebec city, along with musical accompaniment. What amazed me about it, is that the film was projected onto a gigantic grain silo in the center of the city. We were able to sit on a hill in front of the long silo and watch the images as the moved along the buildings. It was absolutely fantastic. I just couldn’t take my eyes off of the images as they danced before me. Sadly the show came to an end but in true French fashion we then looked for a nice place to have a glass of wine. By the end of the night I was pooped, but in absolute adoration with Quebec city. It has a heart to it that I have not seen quite so strong anywhere else (except in our Delta Hotels of course).

Stephan and Jean

In our carriage

Suzanne