Quebec

During my trip, I didn't go only to the wilderness, I also visited the city of Quebec.

When I lived in France, I talked with different French people about Quebec and the city of Quebec. I am sure you know that French Canada is the favorite destination when a Frenchman dreams about his future hypothetical life. For the French, the province of Quebec is like a symphony, where the name of the maestro is "Freedom in North America"... All the French see Quebec city as an American French city.

When I talk with an American about Quebec city, I always get the same reply, ''Ho it's so perfect, so cute, so European, you feel like you are in France''. Maybe it's me, but I hear the same symphony but with another maestro... very strange.

So, now I will be the judge... American or European ?

The language : the language is French or almost French. You must understand, some French are at war with some Canadians. Who speaks better French ? Who uses more English terms ? If you ask me what I think, I will tell you ''I don't care''. It's not a competition, and I don't think one is better than the other. (But for the score card , the point is for France.)

The food : when I lived in France, all my friends told me : "if you want something good, tell us, and we will send it by mail.'' Ok, sometimes, the TV cooking shows are a little strange (I use this word to be polite, but I think "scary" would be better...). However I have eaten in many different places in the US, and trust me I have eaten very well. Ok not everywhere. Perhaps I will lose friends, but with regard to food, North Carolina is not my best memory. New York, Boston, San Fransisco, San Diego, Key Largo, Miami, Philadelphia and New Haven did not give me an allergic reaction, I could say I ate very well and even found croissants tastier than those in France. As in the US, Quebec is a melting pot for different food civilizations. One specialty, '' la poutine'', is French fries, swimming in a brown sauce with melted cheese on top (but I am not sure the word cheese would be used in France for this)... It is "interesting" (I do not have another word). I do have a name for this : D.I.A, Directly In your Ass. Be careful with "la poutine", it could be dangerous for your health. My stomach still remembers it. So for food, the point goes to the US.

After some considerations, I realized it is strange to try something from one country in another country. Quebec is not American, it is not French, it is Canadian... just Canadian.

Like all cities, I think, it is more beautiful during the night. Enjoy...

Homage

I want to introduce you to someone who is very important to me.

She made me who  I am. All my qualities come from her, and my flaws from... my self ! She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved teasing every body but especially me ! My passion for making funny faces comes from her. At home she loved to get a reaction from her parents by sticking her thumbs up her nose and putting out her tongue. She also taught me to eat fruit and sea food without my fingers ! She was desperately frustrated by my English. She loved western, thriller and romantic movies (nobody's perfect).

She passed away 15 years ago today, but ''her memory is my soul''.

Thank you mum, I miss you. I hope you like my pictures, and if you don't like them call me, and at the same time you can give me your secret recipe for the cabbage...