Last night we wanted to go to a new bar that someone had recommended. Unfortunately for us, it started thundering and lightning as we were leaving the hotel. Instead of going on a 25 minute walk to the new bar, we opted for the pub just up the road from us, Pub Saint Patrick. After hanging out at the pub for a little while, Fatima, Julia and I wanted some poutine so we walked up to Chez Ashton to enjoy our midnight snack. I don't know what I'm going to do when I get back into the States and I can't go get some poutine whenever I want.
Today, for the first time, I went out on my own. This entire trip I have constantly been around at least one other person, but more like two or three, at all times. Today everyone was either out getting food or sleeping and I was the only one around. After I worked on my project for a little while, I decided to go on a walk. I had been wanting to climb the stairs to the top of the wall and check out the view. If I haven't mentioned this before or if you aren't aware, the upper city is surrounded by a wall with cannons placed on the interior. Our hotel is actually at the edge of the wall and it overlooks the lower city, which you can see in pictures taken from our balcony. Anyways, I followed the wall around for awhile, in an area on the opposite side of our hotel, and saw some awesome little places of the city that I had failed to notice before. With this, I better orientated myself with landmarks and had some much needed alone time. I also was able to get some pretty amazing photos. At the end of my walk, I had been gone for an hour and a half and made a huge loop around the city.
When I first walked up the stairs to the top of wall, there were about 8 guys sitting on the wall looking very grungy and indulging in some illegal substances. One of them was even sitting with his legs hanging over the wall, looking over the crowd with a fishing pole in his hands. I have no idea if there was a line attached or not, but it was another strange sighting. I chuckled to myself and kept walking.
For dinner, some of us went into the lower city and ate at a decently good restaurant. I guess they had heard us talking to each other because they handed us menus in English, something that hadn't happened to us here yet. It was a little discouraging, but most of us spoke to the waitress in French anyways, to which she responded in French. I always appreciate it when they do that.
I've finally decided that I need to go exercise. I plan on going for a run tomorrow before class. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get out of bed on time, but I'll try my hardest. Due to all the hills and walking here, I can feel a difference in my legs, the strength and tone of them, from when I first arrived here. It's no wonder that the locals are in such great shape. I really wish this ease of exercise, namely walking, was more readily available in Starkville. Yes, I walk and bike to and from campus, but that's nothing compared to this!
Tomorrow we are going on a cruise down the Saint-Laurent river for dinner. I'm pretty excited for the food and the sights. We only have a few days left here and we're going to make them count! They're action packed and I'm ready for the fun times that are approaching.
Here's a photo from my walk today. I took this after I initially climbed up the stairs and began my walk along it. Pretty cool, eh?
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