After spending a lovely Christmas in Massachusetts with the family, my California boy flew out to meet me in Boston. We rented a car and drove to our dear northern neighbor, Canada. First stop: Montreal. We were only staying one night, so we wandered the town attempting to get acquainted in such a short time. The city was dressed for Christmas and after wandering down a cobblestone street and having fondue and quiche for dinner we wondered how Quebec City would compare.

Rob at the Place des Arts in Montreal

Montreal

After New Years Eve morning relaxing in the hotel, we jump into the Nissan and drive three hours northeast to Quebec City. Why Quebec you ask? Well, Paris had been on my mind after way too many people suggested ringing in the New Year there. However, when I realized Paris was not happening I figured Quebec is a close second. Right? French-speaking… Anyhow, that’s how I ended up in Quebec City for News Years. Also, I like new locations and dragging Rob to random cold places in driving distance from my hometown. Fortunately, we were in luck! The old city did, in fact, resemble France. The old section of Quebec City is surrounded by intimidatingly large walls and sits right along the Saint Lawrence river. What’s more, Quebec City turned out to be one of my favorite New Years yet.

It was nice to simply enjoy a new city with my best friend and get away from the typical expectations and excessive partying that tend to be synonymous with NYE. Our plan for the night: nothing in particular. We walked outside the city walls toward the Grand Allée where the main festivities take place. The parliament was stunning as it sat on a white sheet of freshly falling snow. After which we stumbled upon a castle, ferris wheel, and igloo. Such fun, but we were on the prowl for dinner and found the perfect little restaurant where we shared a bottle of red and a four course meal. It was such an enjoyable dinner we barely realized it was nearing midnight. Following the crowds back toward the Grand Allée, we found an ice bar and took in the festivities. Everyone, and I mean everyone, was filled to the brim with joy! Oh Canada. (That must be how their national anthem came to be–visitors would give witness to the bliss that exists there and sigh “Oh Canada”). A live band played while people hopped around mimicking something that could have once been considered a dance. It was less dance and more like happiness choreographed. And it was infectious. But all of a sudden the music stops and it is already time to countdown. We were trying to see the fireworks but it did not seem like we were far enough down the street.  Oh well. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. The start of another year. Fireworks explode right before us. We were unknowingly front row for the spectacle. Perfect.

Now, we were tired but you would assume most people stay out on this one very special night. Not in Quebec City. The moment the fireworks ended it seemed everyone was feeling sleepy like us. The entire street dispersed leaving the snow to swirl through the empty dim street that 10 minutes prior had been filled with such life. And that was it. Dinner, gleeful celebration and bedtime in a little hotel in the old city. I forgot to mention the best part about the hotel. The stairs to our floor were slanted and very Alice-in-Wonderland-esque. As the family sharing our floor ascended the other-worldly staircase, the father and mother stumbled, acting silly and laughing as their daughter tried to hide her smile and act nonchalant which is required by teenage code. One of those little things that makes you smile. Here’s to many more of those smiling moments and love to all my family and friends in the new year.

Quebec City