I walked a different way through the neighborhood today and saw some more street art. I think that’s one of my favorite things about exploring a new place is seeing the community artwork that’s around. I found a very cool free little library at the base of some very steep steps. There was also a take-a-letter, leave-a-letter box. Unfortunately, there were no letters in it. Had coffee at another lovely little coffee shop, then walked to the Church of the Ursulines where they had a free woodwind concert.
It was a great spot to sit and listen to the music while enjoying the very ornate church. It made me think of how much money was spent on things like the gold leaf and ornate carvings and paintings when there were so many people starving. Is that really what God would’ve wanted? The clarinetist brought his daughters who were busy coloring while he played (but clapped after each piece). I love how one has obviously cut her own bangs and the other is rocking a headband and scarf.
After that I got quiche and a croissant and sat outside the Institute Canadien eating in the sunshine, before going on a walking tour, the Bury Your Dead tour. For all you Louise Penny fans, this name may ring a bell, it’s the name of the Inspector Gamache book that is based in Québec.
It was awesome to learn about Canadian and Quebec history through the angle of the book and visit places mentioned, including the Lit & His Society! I was totally geeking out and was in good company as everyone else on the tour had read some, if not all, of the 18 books in the series. It was really cool to relive parts of the book as we stood in the basilica, or outside the librarians house or the place Gamache had breakfast every morning. We also went to a lot of places I had not been in Old Quebec, down side streets and alleys. Marie, the tour guide, created the tour several years ago after the book came out and Louise Penny recommends it on her website. It was excellent and a lot of fun!
After that I headed to the Place Royal where there were several creative art exhibits including a mini house made to resemble rooms in a 70s era vacation home, and an office that was hit by molten glass.
After that I followed the map to the rest of the art pieces outside by the Old Port area.
This led me to Cafe Félin, a cafe where there are several resident cats. It was very hot inside (apparently the AC was broken), but otherwise a relaxing place to hang out and enjoy the sweet kitties. There are lots of places they can choose to hang out if they don’t want to interact with customers and walkways all over the ceiling and walls. What a place!
