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Every year the city of Quebec celebrates the coldest months of the year with a Winter Carnival. Or maybe the festivities are a way to enliven an otherwise bleak cold season. But whether it was the hen or the egg that came first hardly matters.
During our second winter in Canada, Thomas and I decided that it was high time to check out the famous carnival. We both envisaged a slightly tacky tourist draw, and were pleasantly surprised to find that the activities on the Plains of Abraham were genuinely for, and mostly organized by, the Quebec community. School marching bands delivered a tireless soundtrack, brass instruments wrapped snuggly into thermal covers. Youth dance troops performed on several stages. Most importantly, there were no booths selling souvenirs or junk food. This felt like family.
Sure enough, the snow sculpting competition draws artists from all over the world. But even here, contributions from local schools and colleges dominated. We felt welcome and at home, and dived into the various activities.
First we said hello to Bonhomme des Neiges, the carnival's mascot. Then we checked out the amazing snow and ice sculptures. At this last weekend of the carnival, they were mostly finished. Quite a few sculptures were provoking or funny rather than classically aesthetic.
After that much culture it was time for some action! We boarded the snow raft, a large inflatable boat that coasted down a steep hill. Bumps in the track almost dislodged Thomas. Next, we checked out the sleigh races. Sleighs drawn by one or several completed a parcours of obstacles, all at breakneck and in the horses' case breakleg speed!
The final activity was the highlight: we went dog sledding. Never mind that the dogs' coach was nearby and 'remote controlled' our sleigh with his commands - the speed of the bumpy journey was still exciting.
After a full day of activities we returned to Cafe Chez Temporal in old Quebec for a much needed hot beverage and croque monsieur. We were wet, cold, and exhausted, but oh so happy for having done this!
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