So, this entry has been a long time in coming. I am terribly sorry about the wait, but here you have it.
What a wonderful, exhausting, beautiful weekend.
We left for Cap Trinité early Saturday morning. (Now over two weeks ago!) My friend Emily and I spent most of the 1.5 hour bus ride talking to one of the monitors named François, hearing about his various football injuries. One of these involved his calf muscle protruding from his leg. All I could think of was how glad I was that all of the descriptions were in French, because if I had thoroughly understood everything he was saying, I am sure I would have been a bit more queasy. Or maybe I am finally toughening up.
At Cap Trinité, we were left to find our own way up the mountain.
Having been told that some sort of statue and an incredible view awaited us at the top, we set off with our backpacks and cameras. It quickly became apparent that this was not going to be a simple stroll. A sign posted at the beginning of the trail told us that the hike up was 3.5 km, and that the trail's level of intensity was difficile. It definitely was.
The hike started off innocently enough, but soon led to flights and flights of stairs and trails that were all straight up the hill. Everyone was sweating within a few minutes, and the humidity was no help. After we had been hiking for a little over an hour uphill, the trail began to turn downwards. This was slightly disconcerting, because we had all thought that the statue and view would be at the very top of the hill. But, since there was only one trail, we trudged on for another half an hour, and finally made it to our destination.
(from left to right: Erica, Sarah, Emily, Anita, Myself, Morgan)
The view really was beautiful, and the statue was interesting, but not spectacular. Lunch however, was.
(from left to right: Myself, Bronwyn, Rong)
Once fed and rested, we headed back up, and then down, the hill. It felt so good to just sit at the bottom, and think of how much good we had done ourselves.
On the bus ride back, we talked with two of the monitors about everything from rabbits and fishing, to politics and abortion and music.
It was a very interesting discussion, one that left me feeling quite energized and excited about how much more French I had learned. Plus, good conversation is just energizing in general!
That evening, after a shower and short rest, Megan and I were ready to meet our respective friends for dinner.
Unfortunately.... it was pouring. Il pleut à boire debout - a Québecois expression for when it rains ridiculously hard, and which definitely applied in this situation! So... we wimped out and called a cab.
A few minutes later, I arrived at Le Barillet and met my friends for dinner, which was delicious! We were all feeling very hungry, and veritably gobbled up our food.
After dinner, we took a cab to a corner store, Le Corneau Cantin, and bought Nanaimo bars and something else that was delicious and sugary. Mmm!
We then walked to Anita and Erica's house, and watched 27 Dresses. When it came to watching the movie and actually eating the snacks, we were so filled by the sugary unidentified snack that we decided to save the Nanaimo bars for whale watching the next day. All in all, a most excellent day, and I'd have to say that the delicious dinner and snacks were definitely well-earned.
I also took a cab home after walking Morgan to her house, since it was almost midnight. First time doing that alone! Haha, exciting things happen here in Québec.
