We drove to Lévis and took a ferry over the Saint Lawrence into Québec. The view was breathtaking, and the Château Frontenac towered over the city. Québec is a more French speaking city, and we found ourselves having to speak French much more than we did in Montréal. We took the funiculaire to the upper level of the city, and on the boardwalk, we had our class picture taken. We then visited Montmorency Falls and Sainte Anne de Beaupré Basilica.
Dinner at le Bonaparte was delicious, but the main attraction of the evening was Maison de la Découverte. We learned so much about the history of Québec. The best part was going through our “weapons training”, learning how to actually load and fire a musket and cannon like they did back when the British were fighting to take Québec. The guides called on many of the students to demonstrate what they had learned and the students got to call on the teachers! After many laughs, it was on to early surgical procedures, demonstrated on one of the students. Thankfully, it wasn’t a real surgery, but it was still entertaining and very educational.
Our last day we ate at a Breton crêperie and then went to the Citadelle. We learned that the fort was built to protect Canada from the U.S.
The Château Frontenac from Quebec City's historic Citadelle
but was never attacked, and has now partially become a museum. Unfortunately, after the Citadelle and last minute shopping, it was time for us to leave Canada and head back home. Nobody wanted to go, but the trip had to come to an end some time.
So, who was crazy enough to take us all to Canada? Six teachers went on the trip – all four Team Gemini (French team) teachers, plus two others. The people who made this trip possible, especially Mrs. Klein (our French teacher) had been preparing for such a long time and all that effort certainly did not go to waste. I would say that this trip was just about the greatest thing I have done since I started school back in kindergarten, and for everybody who took it, this will be remembered forever. [Page 1]