Another milestone has passed. Saturday, September 1st was my one year anniversary of my final radiation treatment!! And since I like to get out of town to reflect, I went out of town for a few days. Last year, I went to New York, USA. This year, I went to another country….Quebec (haha). Well at least it seems like another country!!

I spent an evening in Quebec City. Haven’t been there since the early 90s. Don’t think much has changed. Then drove out to the Charlevoix region. Very scenic and beautiful. Visited little towns, Baie Saint Paul and La Malbaie. Ended up staying in La Malbaie – it was close to the water. Now I didn’t have any reservations for accommodation so went to the Tourist information office to see what might be available. A few spots on Friday but as it was the long weekend most places were fully booked except one. So I went up there. I can’t even remember the name of the place but I have nick-named it “The Shining”. The stairs creaked and all the doors of the rooms were open. Eerily quiet. Not another soul in sight. She took me to room 128. The only one left available for Saturday. I took a look, turned around and decided I’d take my chances in finding someplace else. That and because I could have any room I wanted for Friday night – it was empty!! Hence, “The Shining”.

So I stayed at the 3 Canards on Friday. I had heard they have a great gastronomic restaurant. There was a nice balcony and view of the bay and an outdoor pool. I swam that night and in the morning sun. It was great. I had hoped for a cancellation for the rest of the weekend, but it was not to be. But as luck would have it, I found a fully equipped 1000 sq ft condo with a large terrace facing the bay. It was perfect. I was able to seal the deal “tout en francais”. =). What I find strange is that even though they know you don’t speak much french, they continue to let you struggle when they can speak english. So much for welcoming tourism!! Anyhow, good thing I am good with numbers. (LOL).
I had great homemade local food (fois gras, duck confit, fresh red ahi tuna and veggies). It was peaceful, relaxing and quiet. Even walked a roundtrip 5 kms for bread…..I misjudged the distance when I had set out. Good thing I wasn’t wearing stilettos!!

One of the strangest things I saw while I people-watched at a local spot “Cafe Chez Nous” having coffee one morning was a woman who had her dog in a backpack-holster like contraption hanging off her back with all its legs/paws sticking forward. Seemed awkward and a little uncomfortable….for the dog! “Oh well – those Quebecois” was all I thought.