Quebec and the Winter Carnival

Last weekend I went to Quebec for its annual Winter Carnival, an awesome celebration of all things cold and winter. I hadn't been to Quebec since I was a kid so in a lot of ways it was like my first time there. Quebec is so European and beautiful. If it wasn't so cold in winter I would immigrate. I spent all of my time in the old city, enjoying the festivities of the carnival.

Old Quebec is beautiful - Inside the gates are narrow cobblestoned streets with lots of shops and restaurants. Though it was February there were lots of Christmas lights and Christmas trees still out.
Supposedly the Chateau Frontenac is one of the most photographed hotels in the world. It is really imposing and beautiful. We got a tour and discovered that there are all sorts of quirky parts to the hotel - a crooked hallway, 4 third levels, etc. It costs between $200 - $2500 per night. Maybe I'll stay there next time ;-)

Remember how Quebec wanted to cede from Canada?? I think some people are still hopeful. I found this along the Promenade of Governors which overlooks the St Lawrence River.

The carnival was really awesome but it was so so cold!!! By the end of the weekend I was wearing: 2 pair of socks, boots, jeans, a shirt, a windproof fleece, a down jacket, 2 hats and two gloved and I was still cold!! Here's a picture of me with BonHomme, the effigy mascot of the Carnival. I think he is supposed to be like a snow man (?) but his blacked out mouth and eyes kind of creeped me out. He showed up at various places and event around the city. Sadly I didnt get any proper face time with him though I did jump around within a foot of him at an outdoor concert . . .

There were tons of ice sculptures! Just inside the Carnival gates countries completed to produce the best sculpture. I can't remember what country this was but I loved the guy on the top.
I loved these little guys!!

By the Chateau Frontenac they set up a little tobogganing area that was a big sheet of ice. We went inner tubing down a snowy hill instead but everyone looked like they were having fun.

I am so in love with Huskies!! They are so beautiful and me complete dream dog if a miracle occurs and I am no longer horrifically allergic to all furry animals. They love to run and run and run making them the perfect dog for dog sledding. I know they're most happy when moving but I still felt a little weird about watching them work like that.

I hope you can tell by the picture below that it's ski jorning. Just to the upper right of the horse you can see a guy in the air. The horse rider is pulling the skier on a rope and leading him over jumps and around obstacles.
One of my favorite things was Lumberjack Acrobatics. The guys were so so so so cute and making all sorts of jokes in French, only about half of which I actually understood. The upside down guy's feet are resting on a wire while his cute little head is resting on his partner's hand.

The Lumberjack Acrobats juggled axes!!!!!
The most bizarre event was the canoeing. The St Lawrence River is mostly frozen over in February. There are some clear spots and then there's ice that's been broken up but still pushed together. The water must have been freezing!! At first the canoers paddled . . .
. . . but when they hit the ice they left one foot in the canoe and used the other to propel themselves over the ice. It must have been freezing!!!!! The canoe at the top of this picture is a lumberjack team. I love multisports!

I really loved Quebec and the Carnival! I am anxious to return to Quebec but I think next time I'm going to go when it's a bit warmer. Maybe they have a Carnival d'Ete???