Carnival!

Saturday morning bright and early 5 of us from Montreal made our way to Quebec city for the annual Carnival in Quebec City. It was around -25C so not a good day to pick to spend outdoors but we had lots of fun regardless. Our first site was the ice castle which was nothing like I had hoped it would be. I was picturing a bar with ice stools and drinks served in ice glasses but no! It was just one room with no roof and some random ice sculptures inside. The theme was exercise I'm guessing as there was gym equipment made of ice inside. Behind that was a stage with some hideously dressed dancers teaching the kids and parent's some 2-step routine.



We made our way into the old Quebec town towards Chateau Frontenac a very gorgeous and gigantic Fairmont hotel.

We got to see dog sled teams race past us as we walked down the street since they'd turned half the road into a race course.
















We then warmed up inside the hotel. I took a picture of this old lady wearing a fox on her head inside the hotel! I made Sonja pose nearby and then I zoomed in on the lady. He he.














Next we met up with 10 other people from McGill to try an ice bobsled. It was pretty fun but not as fast and scary as it looked.





Then our entire group ate a late lunch at an authenic French Canadian restaurant and we all had the set menu. I had a glass of wine, soup, the wild game meat pie and maple syrup pie for dessert. I was stuffed. We then made our way to another area of activities in which 8 of us piled inside a round blow up raft called the tornade and twirled down a slope. It was super fun. The next event was a kid's one. Dave a fellow Occupational Health grad student and I went inside an ice castle and slid down an ice slide. It was probably the best spent 30 seconds of the day. That kid's slide competed closely with the human game of fous ball (sp?). We strapped ourselves to the bars and played soccer. It was really hilarious. Despite kicking and screaming lots I was freeeeezing after. My toes hurt. After this we had time to heat up a little inside a tent before we were due to meet others at an Irish pub to watch the hockey game. Sitting inside was desperately needed. Some of us went out for dinner and then it was time to head back to the hotel. I'm still suffering from a cold so I was beat but the whole McGill crew that was staying at a hostel went out to the bars.


The next morning before driving back to Montreal we went out for breakfast in Old Quebec and went to a really strange restaurant. The waitresses had really weird outfits on.



I will post some more pictures as soon as I get them from other people's cameras.


I never did get a photo of me with Bonnehomme ...how disapointing since I paid my $10 for the attractions and it turns out that no one else bothered paying.