The only time I had been to Quebec was on a tourist excursion last year, during my first visit to Canada. It was in March, and the weather was absolutely brutal. A major-looking snowstorm that wouldn’t lift made the city especially difficult to explore.

I decided I’d return in the summer, on my own schedule.

First let me say that traveling in a minivan makes the trip alot more fun. Apart from being able to stretch out in any direction, there are 12 cup holders, tons of interesting compartments and adjustable air conditioning for every passenger.

All of this came in handy during my extra long nap on the road.

The first sign of French-only speaking natives was in Montreal, where just about everything except for McDonalds and Future Shop has a new name. I was trying to match-up logos to their strange, accented titles. But, no, we didn’t actually stop in Montreal.

On the road to QC (short for Quebec City, ok?), we stopped at a little gas station off the highway. Everything in French! And they were all speaking French as well! In fact, on the way out, I held the door for a guy who responded, ”Merci.” I stood there in disbelief as I realized that this is the Lost Civilization, forgotten by the surrounding nations in the Lands That Speak English.

So, getting back to my journey…

We arrive in QC, and start looking for a place to stay. As we drive around the old part of town, I am blown away by how beautiful it is. It’s MUCH nicer in the summer. And there’s like, a trillion people in the streets. Very exciting.

But there aren’t any hotel rooms!

Finally, after about two hours searching for a place, we come across Hotel Le Cofortel. Yes, they have a room with - surprise - broadband access. And so here I am. Day one of the QC adventure.