Since the house was empty and quiet, I spent the afternoon doing homework and taking dance breaks. (It's great when no one's watching.) I really enjoyed having the opportunity to sit down, have some coffee, and take the time to concentrate on new concepts and new vocabulary. I guess some people would find it strange that I find that enjoyable, but to each his own. For some reason, researching words and making index cards is almost relaxing to me; maybe it's the method, the order, the repetition. Anyway, there was supposed to be a French movie night at the university, and I decided that I wanted to go, since I'd enjoyed the two other films that they'd chosen. Unfortunately, I mixed up the dates, and the movie was actually Friday. So, since I was already on campus, I decided to do some wander-walking and picture-taking. (I passed that creepy guy who hit on me during the cruise on the sidewalk, too...*shudder*.)
This is the interior of that beautiful castle-like library building. It's so ugly inside...what a let-down. :P
Flowers are everywhere you look!
So, I hopped on the bus and headed down to Vieux-Québec to explore, and I thought I could try to catch the Moulin à Images spectacle (Image Mill show) down in the Vieux-Port area. First, though, I wandered through the Parc-de-l'Artillerie, a historic site of some of the original French fortifications. There are some buildings, and barracks and ramparts that have been preserved and restored to tell the story of the French defense effort, but for the most part, it's just a place for odd little social groups to hang out. From guitar-strumming poets punk rock kids, they were all there, and they were all just a little weird. It's the only place in the city so far where I just haven't really felt comfortable.
Part of the old fortifications
It's one of the only places I've found graffiti like this, too. :P
Next, I wandered down one of the little side streets and found a little used bookstore. I'd been thinking about finding a French book to bring back as a souvenir, so I stopped in to see what they had. It was a charming little shop. I was greeted by an old man who looked like he'd been reading and selling books would be his specialty, and started browsing the titles. I couldn't help but feel like he was watching me, so I decided to just shove my insecurities aside and strike up a conversation. After all, he looked nice enough, and if I didn't get out the right words, he didn't look like the type who would bury me in the basement. It turned out that he barely spoke English, which was a very good thing, because it meant that speaking in French was our only choice. Fortunately, we were able to more or less understand each other, and he helped me find some poetry books. He was trying so hard to sell me something, and I'm a sucker for those grandfather-types. So, I'm not sure if it was the book I finally found, or the fact that I felt sorry for him, that made me decide to get it. With a decorative cover, it'll be a lovely little book for my collection.
When mentioned that I was thinking about going to see the Moulin à Images, he gave me some simple directions to find the Port. I followed them and the people who seemed to be heading that direction, and I ended up in just the right place, down by the water. Now, the Moulin à Images is one of the coolest parts of Québec City's 400th anniversary celebration. At ten o'clock every night until the end of the summer, there is a huge movie/sound show projected on the grain silos that documents the history of Québec. When I arrived around nine o'clock, there was already a huge crowd gathering with lawn chairs and blankets on the grass and the boardwalk. Some of them were gathered under one of the pavilions (the lucky ones), and others were wandering in and out of the temporary buildings and stages set up in the area for the celebration. There were random entertainers doing shows for the crowd, like this one:
As far as I could tell, it was just a few people pretending to be really old. I'm not sure what the show was actually about, because it was finishing when I walked up.
Anyway, I found a place close to the water's edge and sat down to wait. Fortunately, I had brought my notebook, so I did a little writing. The lights finally dimmed at ten, and the show started. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen; I wish I could get a good video of it. Maybe this will give you a little bit of an idea of what it was like:
The sounds, music, graphics...everything fit together amazingly well. I've never seen something projected so clearly on such a grand scale (much less on old grain silos). They even added special effects like fire, smoke, and water from the larger building. What's even better: I actually understood the significance of some of the film. I'm not an expert on Québecois history by any stretch of the imagination, but I have picked up several key points from class presentations and museums since I've been here. That made the show even more enjoyable, I think. Oh, and it started raining halfway through the show. I think that's what made it a trulyQuébecois experience. ;)
After it ended (it lasts for 45 minutes) I followed the throng of people back up to the Haute-Ville and caught the bus back to my house. I was so proud that I'd enjoyed myself and hadn't gotten lost! :D
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