A return to Quebec City

I think I mentioned before that we had been to Canada many years ago.  Though much of that trip is a blur, I do remember Quebec City and its gorgeous Chateau Frontenac majestically perched on top of a hill overseeing like a fortress the city of Quebec.  The Chateau is an example of chateau-styled hotels built (surprisingly) by Canada's railway companies during the latter part of the 19th century.  While borrowing the romanticist style of 14th and 15th century Loire Valley chateaux, it also incorporates an eclecticism which was the hallmark of its American born architect, Bruce Price. We actually stayed there at the time, which I can't imagine given that that was the poverty stricken period of our life--but then again maybe that's why I remember it so well.  



Going there today conjured up the memories of those years before--the large bustling square surrounding the chateau filled with mimes, musicians and clowns, the view of the city and the harbor below, the funicular which blessedly allows you to descend and then re-ascend without scaling a thousand steps (for a fee)--it all seemed familiar and not that much different. 

Lovely mimes...

Quaint and charming winding streets...

Relaxing, shaded squares filled with mellow folks mesmerized with atmosphere...

And of course tourists...tourists everywhere...

I mean EVERYWHERE...