I did what I could for the group, and then I shirked the rest of my responsibilities. My eye seemed ok so I decided to go ahead with the planned... plans.
I woke up early. So early that I will not attach to this sentence a specific time. All I know, is that when I stepped out my door, there had clearly been a storm, as there was snow everywhere, and I was the only one in the world awake. With my bag in one arm I began the trek to the University. The snow was fresh and up to my ankle, but it was easy enough walking... if you walked on the road. So I did; walk on the road I mean. The whole time I was walking there were two cars, so it really was not a big deal, and it really is a common phenomenon in Saint John.
I made it to the University. Tossed my bag on the bus. And hopped on.
So began our voyage to Quebec City.
It actually is quite a long ride, and with the time change it can mess you up quite a bit. We were in a rather enormous blizzard so the first two hours of our trip took four, but after that we were good to go. We stopped somewhere that really shouldn't have a name... like... "Bill and Ted's house with a Timmy's next to it on a highway in the middle of nowhere." And then we stopped in Edsmonston, which though in New Brunswick, is clearly in Francophone Canada.
On we drove for about forever, or maybe two forevers, and then we reached Quebec City. We knew we were there because of the signs and the rumours shifting back from the driver and all of those type signs, but how I really knew was because when we were driving over a bridge I found that though I was mid sentence, I was speechless. The bridge was over the St. Lawrence, and only a few hundred metres was the bridge that all Canadian engineers know. It was our bridge. I explained the story to a few people as we passed it, and then when it was gone I was able to resume my sentence.
We made it to our hotel just before 4 pm.
This is where the real amazement started. To be honest... we did not pay much money for this trip. I mean, two nights in a hotel in downtown Quebec City, transportation from Saint John to Quebec and back, admission to the Carnaval, bus tour of Old Quebec, tour of the Ice Hotel... to be frank. With all of the add-ons, I would not have been surprised if we were really sleeping in the bus overnight. Well, we weren't. We were sleeping in the Palace Royal, and was it ever.
Still. We reached Quebec late, but the night was young. We ditched the Hotel and headed into Old Quebec to find some grub. It was really like walking into Europe, but in a much more affordable manner. We found a restaurant, and though it was not Tim Hortons cheap, it was affordable, and the food was great. The other reason we selected that restaurant is because if we walked another step we would have frozen. The temperature was -17... no big deal... and I was dressed for about -17... but the "feels like" was -32. It was cold.
After being warm and satiated we were ready to brave the cold for another few minutes, plus, we had no choice; very soon the Carnaval was about to have its opening ceremonies. We walked frozen to the Carnaval and went in. It did not seem like a big deal. There were not many people there, sure there were people starting to work on ice sculptures, but other than that it was pretty quiet. I suppose it was -32... Anyways. We wandered a bit, made some plans for the future when it was less cold. And went inside.
Soon the opening ceremonies would begin. Then what? Stand outside in the cold? No. That would not do. Oh wait, I saw an ice bar on the way in... let's go there... so we did. I have not ever been to an ice bar before, and though I would have preferred a non-alcoholic beverage, drinking at an ice bar is one of those few exceptions when I will consume alcohol.
Ice Bar
Then we braved the cold. We got their early, but when we look back later the entire area was full of people. They had dancing, singing, gymnastics (which all must have been very cold at -32) and then the fireworks. They were something else, that is for sure. They do it right...
Opening Ceremonies
Opening Ceremonies Gymnastics
Fireworks... Uh... Part of the Fireworks from the Opening Ceremony
I would love to have more complete video accounts of some of these things. But at -32 your camera battery freezes really quite quickly, and since you are also frozen, there really is no way to heat it up. The way that the crowed seemed to stay warm is by dancing around. It was amazing to see and be in the middle of... it was like a high school dance but where everyone was in snowsuits. Wild!
After the opening ceremonies a band was coming on to keep the crowd alive, but we thought we had had enough. We knew we could come to the Carnaval on Saturday so we thought that was sufficient for one night. We were out and on the street looking for a bar to warm up in before going back to the hotel.
There were lots of bars and restaurants and while we were walking we saw what looked like a converted mansion. Not converted into anything you know... productive... but a night club. In front of the mansion was a long long long line. Then as we walked we were passed by several hoochies wearing jackets, boots, and almost nothing in-between. Very very short skirts and shorts with legs open to the cold. Wow. Maybe they did not know the line was coming, maybe they did not care. Perhaps showing off your assets is more important than NOT FREEZING TO DEATH. Perhaps.
We had our drinks, and returned to the hotel exhausted.
Me and my MBA compadres settled into our beds and slept.
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