The 400 Year Old Hospital and the Crazy True Story of Canada's Most Notorious Hotel Thief11/12/2024
I got more than I bargained for when I checked into Quebec City's most unique accommodations.  In the spring of 1639, three young nuns set sail from France, each carrying a hidden key in her habit. Upon landing in the new settlement of Quebec City, they would unseal three sturdy locks on a large wooden trunk that safeguarded all their worldly goods. It also contained something invaluable—a contract to found a monastery hospital, the first in North America outside Mexico.
Little did they realize that one of their future guests* would become Canada’s most notorious** hotel thief, taking three round canisters with them in their luggage after their visit. *Me. This story is about me. ** The dozen or so people who know this story won’t stop teasing me about it. This tiny coffee shop boasts a historic location and the power of transformative social enterprise.  “They love a social enterprise in Hong Kong.”
I wasn’t much more than 12 hours into my first trip to Hong Kong and was eagerly sharing a report of my morning’s adventures to a friend who was on their umpteenth visit yet hadn’t heard of where I had been, a teeny-tiny non-profit coffee shop. Given that we were in a luxury hotel lobby, surrounded by sumptuous designer shops, I couldn’t see much evidence of her declaration. Still, I deferred to her superior knowledge of the region. In the coming days, I would soon see she was right, and with every visit I made to The Nest, I observed just how much Hong Kongers and the people who love visiting them appreciate something different that makes a difference. At Cumberland Heritage Village Museum in Ottawa, you'll be transported back to 1920s-style Christmas at the Vintage Village of Lights event.  Some of the very best holiday experiences are rooted in nostalgia. From decades-old family recipes to nights spent carolling the tunes of yesteryear, something about celebrating the many layers of Christmas past feels incredibly cozy and comforting. Those feelings are in full force at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum.
Every December, the Museum opens its grounds for visitors to enjoy the Vintage Village of Lights. The Museum is covered in Christmas lights, 30,000 of them, in fact! They adorn the fences, the trees, and the beautifully preserved buildings in one incredible, delightful display of holiday cheer. If you're attending this year, here's what you should know before you go.  If you're planning a trip away, you've likely included some form of eyewear in your suitcase or carry-on. Whether it's a pair of glasses for vision correction, sunglasses for UV protection, contact lenses to help with eye dryness, or even goggles for water activities, eyewear is always essential to help you soak in the sights at your chosen destination.
However, a misplaced lens or some broken frames can happen at any time. Often, it's the little things that can put a damper on your sightseeing — the plastic nose pads could break off, or the tiny metal screws on your frames' arms suddenly become loose or unhinged. A visit to an optometrist might save your eyewear, but taking a side trip to get some assistance could put a dent in your travel plans and eat up some precious time. If you want to make good use of your glasses, sunglasses, or contact lenses throughout your trip, here are a few packing tips for traveling with eyewear. In Mont-Orford, Quebec, my eyes were amazed but my stomach was queasy. This is what it was like riding a chair lift for the very first time!  When I travel, I like to explore twists and turns: A windy road, a crooked bookstore, the cozy nooks in tiny coffee shops. What I don't like, and generally avoid at all costs, are ups and downs. I avoid mountains, caves, ledges, edges, ladders, crevices, tunnels, and trenches. I am not a gal designed for adventure and I'm rather proud of the fact that I've proved that you can travel around the world without the need to parachute, paraglide, or procure a pair of trekking poles.
But every now and then, there's a chink in my armour. I ignore decades of ironclad evidence that I don't have daring bone in my body and I do something rash, something utterly beyond my bravery. And that, precisely, is what I found myself doing at the Mont-Orford Ski Resort in Quebec's Eastern Townships. This is what happens when an anti-adventurist rides the world's tallest*, steepest*, most terrifying chair lift. If you want an honest, unsponsored review of TravelPro's Platinum Elite 20" Expandable Business Plus Carry-On Spinner suitcase, this is the place for you.
Some people pick their suitcase based on size, weight, or colour. But when I picked up the TravelPro's Platinum Elite 20" Expandable Business Plus Carry-On Spinner, I had coziness on my mind. Let me explain...
My need for a cozy suitcase came roaring to life while waiting in line at Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport. As I patiently queued, I noticed a well dressed man carrying a duffel bag. It looked like a regular bag but on closer inspection, it had the ring of something expensive, well made, and well loved. The man wore a luxurious peacoat and carried a conventional briefcase, so why was he shunning the conventional black roller bag in favour of something so unstructured? Was it a tiny signal of rebellion, forgoing practicality for sentimentality? Was the bag a relic from a past career? Whatever the case, it was clearly HIS bag. I wanted that. Not necessarily the duffel itself, but to have a bag that was so clearly my own. That seed for cozy luggage had been planted more than two decades earlier when I read that my idol, Evelyn Hannon of Journeywoman, traveled with an orange suitcase. Orange! Who, exactly, chooses orange luggage? Was it one heck of a deal, so good that she was willing to overlook the unconventional colour? Did she seek it out on purpose, knowing that it would never blend in on the luggage carousel and would make her easy to spot in a crowd? What mattered, ultimately, was that it was HERS. She and her bag were a team. And I wanted that. I have been on the quest for find MY bag, that mythical combination of beautifully aged leather duffel and garish orange wheelie bag, for years. I've been travelling with TravelPro's Platinum Elite 20" Expandable Business Plus Carry-On Spinner, a suitcase I purchased specifically because I thought it would be MY bag, since 2020. I think it's fair to say that I've put it thought its paces! Does it measure up to my lofty standards? Here's what I think after several years and several dozen trips. Step into a world of glowing pumpkins, intricate artistry, and community spirit at Upper Canada Village’s enchanting PumpkInferno.  Where can you go to hang out with Vincent van Gogh, Freddie Mercury, a giant octopus, and a few dinosaurs? If you’re me and it’s October, you head to Upper Canada Village, a heritage park in Morrisburg, eastern Ontario. Each autumn, this genteel farmland setting is transformed into an incredible pumpkin-focused experience, the decorative gourds transforming the landscape into every possible tableau, from classic art, rock and roll bands, undersea adventures, and, well, dinos. If you’re looking for an autumn experience that combines creativity, community spirit, and a touch of whimsy, you need to head to Upper Canada Village’s Pumpkinferno. My October wouldn’t be complete without it.
Perfectly located near Plattsburgh and Montreal, Chazy Orchards invites you to indulge in the best of fall. Savor the flavours of autumn with fresh apples, delicious cider, and mouthwatering treats at this historic orchard.
Looking for a sweet spot to visit this autumn, one filled with cinnamon, cider, and cozy vibes? You have to visit to Chazy Orchards in Chazy, New York. Located just minutes from the city of Plattsburgh and a short drive from Montreal, this is more than just a tasty culinary destination. Chazy Orchards is part of American food history, the world's largest McIntosh apple orchard, and an amazing dog-friendly site that is Clover-approved. Just look how cute she is sniffing the apples!
Sociable! Exploring Port-Royal National Historic Site and Discovering The Order of Good Cheer26/9/2024
Journey through history: Food, friendship, and resilience at Port-Royal National Historic Site.  Picture this: Saint Croix Island, the first French settlement in Canada, where in 1604, 79 brave souls faced a winter beyond description. Water, food, and shelter were all but nonexistent. 35 men perished from the cold, disease, and lack of provisions (including scurvy-preventing vitamin-rich foods). If the French wanted to establish a presence in North America, something had to change, and quickly.
It did. Thanks to the generosity of the local Mi’kmaq people, the French learned about a more hospitable site nearby on the mainland, a site that was likely very close to the current Port-Royal National Historic Site. Conditions improved, but life for a French soldier in the early 1600s was anything but luxurious. Scurvy persisted, and morale was poor. But what to do? Turns out, soldiers living about 400 years ago are just like you and me. They work best with full bellies and a little good cheer. As such, in 1606 Samuel de Champlain founded The Order of Good Cheer, the first dinner club in Canada (and probably all of North America). These dinners were spirited affairs, complete with gourmet food and visiting dignitaries. Here's what it's like to walk in their footsteps. |
Recent Posts
Posts by Location
Post Categories
All
Posts by Date
December 2024
|
Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy |
Top 100 Travel Influencer
As named by the Obama White House in 2014. 
|
 © COPYRIGHT 2024. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
|