Days 41 and 42
Cap Chat, Quebec
June 22 and June 23
All of Quebec is celebrating their heritage. I don’t know if Fete du Quebec always coincides with St. John Baptiste Day and the summer solstice, but this year it does. The festival takes place in the evening and is a big block party. Or, in the case of Cap Chat, a family reunion. We have an airbnb in Cap Chat for two nights. It is an apartment in someone’s house and is a great place to stay and do laundry and sleep in a comfortable bed. It has everything we need and I am happy to add $120 CAD to this young family’s income. I am pretty sure it is either going toward their groceries, antibiotics for the little one with strep, or parts to fix the VW Vanagon. Our hosts are friendly and speak some English.
French is spoken almost exclusively here and when we visit the local microbrewery no one understands us at all. I am surprised at how isolating this feels. The brewery is on the little river that flows toward the St. Lawrence and overlooks the Chic Choc Mountains in Parc Gaspésie. There are big garage doors that open out into the fresh air and the mountain view is peaceful and green. We are in no hurry to leave. There is still snow up in the mountains.
Saturday evening we go down to the town park and listen to music and wait for the bonfire to be lit.
We are definitely feeling like outsiders here, although we spot a few other folks who probably don't live in Cap Chat. Elderly people are hanging around and visiting with neighbors, small children are chasing each other and running all over the beach and the fields. Everyone has food and drink to share and the atmosphere is one of a party at a friend’s house.
The bonfire is all driftwood and lights quickly. The town residents move closer to the fire and stand around watching it burn. There are smaller fires all along the coast, and apparently all over Canada. There are no speeches, no ceremony, just a warm fire welcoming summer and inviting everyone to stand close together.
Cap Chat, Quebec
June 22 and June 23
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| The sunset coast |
All of Quebec is celebrating their heritage. I don’t know if Fete du Quebec always coincides with St. John Baptiste Day and the summer solstice, but this year it does. The festival takes place in the evening and is a big block party. Or, in the case of Cap Chat, a family reunion. We have an airbnb in Cap Chat for two nights. It is an apartment in someone’s house and is a great place to stay and do laundry and sleep in a comfortable bed. It has everything we need and I am happy to add $120 CAD to this young family’s income. I am pretty sure it is either going toward their groceries, antibiotics for the little one with strep, or parts to fix the VW Vanagon. Our hosts are friendly and speak some English.
French is spoken almost exclusively here and when we visit the local microbrewery no one understands us at all. I am surprised at how isolating this feels. The brewery is on the little river that flows toward the St. Lawrence and overlooks the Chic Choc Mountains in Parc Gaspésie. There are big garage doors that open out into the fresh air and the mountain view is peaceful and green. We are in no hurry to leave. There is still snow up in the mountains.
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| Julia has some clam chowder with so many clams there is no room for the broth. The beer made here is good too. We don't try the ice cream, but the flavors are unlimited. |
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| so many choices... |
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| La Riviere Cap-Chat. There are kayakers on this meandering river and nice hiking trails alongside it too. |
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| Looking back at Cap Chat from our hike along the river |
Saturday evening we go down to the town park and listen to music and wait for the bonfire to be lit.
We are definitely feeling like outsiders here, although we spot a few other folks who probably don't live in Cap Chat. Elderly people are hanging around and visiting with neighbors, small children are chasing each other and running all over the beach and the fields. Everyone has food and drink to share and the atmosphere is one of a party at a friend’s house.
The bonfire is all driftwood and lights quickly. The town residents move closer to the fire and stand around watching it burn. There are smaller fires all along the coast, and apparently all over Canada. There are no speeches, no ceremony, just a warm fire welcoming summer and inviting everyone to stand close together.
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