A few observations, by a westerner on the eastern citizens... I have noticed there seem to be more people smoking here than out west... When in Nfld, any time I asked anything about history, geography, etc., always got a different story, decided that it really didn't matter what the actual story was, the person explaining was so passionate, it was all good... A friend, following my blog, exclaimed how she would have liked to go to the Maritimes, but never had the opportunity, well, I have, but am fairly certain I just covered the high points... I would dearly love to go in the summer, especially to P E I., as well as Cape Breton... Truly the Maritimes require summertime and a car to truly appreciate... Feel blessed for the time I did have there... I have discovered Cape Breton and Nfld are all about music and singing... I also have discovered my love of violin music as well as fiddle music, just love it! A bus driver told me (after discovering a big difference in gas prices between New Brunswick and Quebec) that in Quebec there are more taxes on gasoline, but not so much on booze and cigarettes... By the way, the locals pronounce Quebec - Kbec... I have met people in all the provinces I have visited that are passionate and proud of where they live... I have had Atlantic Salmon, gotta' say, can't tell the difference between it and pacific... Enjoyed lobster, actually have "lobstered out"... While on the site of Anne of Green Gables, was told by the tour guide that Lucy M Montgomery took her own life, which really saddened me, all that talent... And lastly, am sssoooo looking forward to being able to cook my own meals in NYC, can hardly wait... Finally, especially to Gwen, I MISS MY GATEWAY!!! I have seen far too many commercials, ha! That's it for now..

This will be my last night in Quebec City, darn... Golly, I have enjoyed this hotel, this city, the people I have met... I'm sure the guys in the bar have not been charging me for all the scotche and wine I've been drinking, don't know why, but very kind of them, that's for sure... Everything is so much more expensive in hotels like this, really appreciate any break at all... Speaking of which, the Frontenac is undergoing a major renovation, that's why my rate is so low... Even tho' my room faces the St Lawrence River, it is covered on the outside with thick plastic, a tear in it allowing me to see the boardwalk along the river a little... Enuf said... Today it was warmer, above freezing, ear muffs not required... I took this opportunity to go down to lower old town... The powers that be, are half way thro' transforming the autumn theme into Christmas theme... Lots of real pine trees gaily decorated with lights, beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Lots of shops, really enjoyed the afternoon... Will be a quiet evening, then off to Montreal tomorrow afternoon... Hope everyone is well... h

Here it is, Wednesday already, Bonjour... On Monday, did find a Remembrance Day service, just thro' the gates from old town... The service was held at the cross at the entrance to the Plains of Abraham... I have yet to explore, has been snowing on and off all week, making for icy steps, but plan on going over this afternoon... The service was well attended, it was not snowing, but a bit of a very cool breeze, brrr... I met a couple attending, husband a vet, participating, the wife to watch... She and I stood together, I didn't understand a word of the service, but she explained anything I asked... There was a 21 gun salute from a real cannon, slow process because of re-loading, etc, so asked my new found friend the French words for each number... For the most part, knew the words during that service, my accent sucked, now could not repeat any un of them... I marvel at all the people that can go from speaking English to French in a heartbeat... I very much enjoyed my time at the service, over too quickly... Then on to being a tourista again... This is such a beautiful city, love the buildings, not so much the steep hills/steps... The last couple of days have been exploring, enjoying immensely, yesterday pulled out my ear muffs, went walking in the snow... Rosey cheeked, am I... The friend I made in Nfld lives in Quebec, she told me to call when I arr'd, touched base w/her the other night... I am leaving this city on Friday, traveling via Via (couldn't help myself, ha!) to Mtl, she will p/me up on Sat., to stay w/her and her hubby o/n, she said so I can use her washer - what a friend, huh? Well, guys, going to go out and play in the snow... Stay well and happy...h

Bonjour, mon amí... 'tis the happy adventurer from old town, Quebec City, in the snow, yes it is falling, started thro' the night... The hotel I was in, Auberge dú Trésol, just didn't do it for me, long story, so googled hotels in this area to find a new one... It just so happened Chateau Frontenac, a Fairmont hotel, was offering "Christmas in November" at a rate not too much different than where I was, so since there was no penalty in checking out of Auberge early, did so right after breakfast... The Chateau is right across the square, so thro' the snow, pulling my bags behind me, off I went in search of new lodging... I am so happy I made the change, a lot better accomodations... This afternoon, while having a bite to eat, watched thro' the window, all the people enjoying the first snowfall... The snow looked a lot like we get out west, very wet, probably will finish with rain, we'll see... I will feel all snug as a bug tonite, tomorrow will be a different story as I plan on attending a Remembrance Service when I find one... Then the investigating of this beautiful city begins... Golly, as I sit in the lobby "blogging", surrounded by beautifully decorated Christmas trees, seeing the snow fall outside, feel very blessed, indeed, that I am so fortunate as to be able to take this eastern adventure... By the way, on my bus trip yesterday, one of the towns we passed thro', Hartland, has the longest covered bridge, almost a kilometer long, what a bonus to be able to see it... We went through another town, Florenceville, I think the name is, and saw another one, shorter, but am really happy I saw them... Great to be able to see the country... Stay tuned... Adieu, sp?

Good day everyone... Friday was a cultural afternoon, took in some art museums and the like, it actually snowed a few flakes, didn't amount to anything, but the beginning of things to come... Quite chilly, especially with the wind, but the sun was trying to stay out... Got my bus ticket to Quebec City, had a bite to eat, then took a cab to St Francis Asissi (sp) Church for the Newfie Kitchen party... It was presented by the church, well attended by congregation and friends... I really enjoyed it, again meeting very nice people, sat at a table of 10... A kitchen party is a gathering of friend/family, in kitchens (surprise, surprise), which involves lots and lots of singing... All the songs sung, were old standards of Nfld, sung by the cast of the show... One of the presenters used to live in Nfld 'til recently, and arranged for a couple of vocalists, still living in Nfld., to come over to Fredr'n to perform... We were even served lunch, bar was open and a good time had by all... On Sat., got packed up, again, caught the Maritime Bus, early afternoon, arriving in Quebec City 11:00ish (P M), that is... A long day, but enjoyed the trip... I know I have mentioned this before, but that is a good company, good trips and friendly helpful people... 'til manana... h

Well, already today is Friday, tomorrow I am on the bus again to Quebec City... I have calmed down from the excitement of booking my stay in the big apple... To bring you to date from, Wednesday, I believe... Unfortunately have been spending a lot of time on my tablet with NYC details, plus w/stocks... You know me, there was an IPO (initial public offering) for Twitter, wasn't successful, but them's the breaks... Yesterday it was a rainy, sloppy day here, but off I trotted, have gotten to know the bus routes (am staying uptown, requiring either a bus or taxi)... Did some sight seeing yesterday aft., looking fwd to the Opening Night Gala Film... I have never participated in a movie premier so was really looking fwd to it... The 13th Annual Silver Wave Film Festival is on this weekend, Nov. 7 - 10... The 1st film is called "All the Wrong Reasons", starring Cory Monteith (and was dedicated to him), Kevin Zegers (for those of you that watched "The making of the Titanic" TV mini series - he was the young hunk), Karine Vanasse (she was the cute little French girl in "Pan Am")... The writer/director is from here, Gia Milani... The film is very good, one of the films winning ?? @ TIIF... FYI, the film is being shown in Van., currently - worth seeing... It was shot locally and the film community here is very proud of it... Again, met some really nice people, made some more g/friends, was nice to sit with them, visiting, all the while... After was a reception/gala, gala due we were all invited to at the Crowne Plaza Hotel... It was a very enjoyable night, felt like a "high mucky muck, ha!" Now as I bring you all up to date, will head off shortly to go and buy my bus ticket to Quebec, do a little more site-seeing, then tonite am attending a Newfie Kitchen Party, can hardly wait... FYI have already booked into Auberge du Tresor, old town Quebec City, so talk to you from there... Stay safe... h

Yesterday was the day I wanted to get serious with lodging in NYC, after all time is marching on... Too easily I found an apt in Queens, 5 min from Times Square, or so the ad says... Many emails later, was lucky enuf to find something for the whole mo. of Dec, having a 2nd look, found that the apt is available from Nov. 25th to Jan 1st... Long/short, the previous tenant will be pro-longing their stay due to work so David (my landlord) is putting me in a 2 bdrm 'til the tennant leaves... Here are the links: http://www.citysonnet.com/east/blue.html ( 9 nights) http://www.citysonnet.com/east/white.html ( 28 nights) Info on the neighbourhood: http://www.citysonnet.com/east/lic_photos.html http://www.citysonnet.com/east/lic_links.html All last night, didn't sleep 'cause I was worried but this is thro' vrbo, have filled the reservation form, given my Visa, so it better be legit... Am I excited, you betcha'! I will be able to see Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, plus spend Christmas in New York and be in Times Square to see the ball drop, bringing in 2014, yahoo!!! All of you know you are welcome to visit... David has said that for every person visiting, it is a $20.00 bill, so if any of you are up for it, will only cost you $20.00, plus whatever booze you want... Food, we can talk about when you are here... But you are all welcome, absolutely!! It will be on a 1st come, 1st serve... Let me know as soon as you can, if interested.. Yahoo!!! stay well... h