The Haps

I've been on the road for a few days. Ended up in Quebec City on Wednesday, which, coincidentally was Saint Jean de Baptiste day, Quebec's "national holiday," and I must say it is the biggest and probably best celebration a person can attend. I left my uncles house in Beauport, Quebec City towards the downtown area by old Quebec with my cousin and his friend. The first thing we did was fill our backpacks with liquor. Before I even had the chance to ask if it was legal or allowed to drink in public downtown I saw a city bus filled with Quebecers, mostly late teens early twenties dressed completely in white and blue (Quebec's flags colors) with open liquor chanting. Obviously drinking in public is not legal, but on Fete Saint Jean anything goes... honestly. Once we arrived downtown, coming off a jam packed bus of at least 70 drunk, patriotic Quebecers I witnessed a party like I've never seen, and it was in the city's business district. We cracked open our beer and walked up the street, passing cops, who's job was to only maintain order, not prevent people from drinking and having a good time. Can you imagine this kind of leniency? I was shocked, but nonetheless excited and amazed. There was point where my cousin and I were urinating on a building, drinking a beer and chatting with a male and female police officer all in good humour. Saint Jean was one of the most amazing sights I've ever witnessed. Well over 150,000 people crowding several blocks of downtown Quebec City, all colorful, mostly between the age group of 16 and 30 chanting, wishing everyone a "Bonne Fete Saint Jean." I do think I was the only English person there, but regardless, my family comes from Quebec City. I even saw where my first ancestor in North America lived. Ballin' pad, too bad it's a Caisse Populaire now.

After spending a few nights in Quebec City I made my way to Old Orchard Beach, Maine. It kind of looks like a Jersey Shore style town, maybe a little smaller and toned down, but still packed with tourists. Here I did some shopping in Kittery, which holds a number of outlets, and checked out the local scenery here on Old Orchard Beach. The beach is in fact very nice, but nowhere near as busy as the beach back home (Parlee Beach, Shediac) even though the consumerist aspect of it definitely beats it fifty-fold.

Anyways, that's enough about that. I am really only writing this out of boredom. I am a little upset that I am missing one of my good friend Ryan's birthday celebrations back in Sackville. Happy Birthday Ryan "Tipsy Dragon" Wareham.