Fall break: four precious days in the middle of the semester where you feel like you can finally catch a break, for many of us after midterm exams. Many Colby students use it as a long weekend to head home or to catch up on some much-needed sleep. I spent mine in Québec City, Canada, and I think you should consider doing the same next fall.
Getting there is a lot easier than you would expect. Although it is across the Canadian border, it’s only a four-hour drive from the College. Most of the route runs through Maine forests, which are at peak foliage during Fall break, so the drive itself becomes a memorable part of the trip.
The moment you reach the city, you’ll forget you were in Waterville earlier that day. Old Québec is filled with stone buildings, cobblestone streets, and it offers views of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a castle-like hotel that towers over most of downtown. The city is straight out of a Christmas postcard, and one of the best parts is that it’s very walkable. Once you park, you can (and should) see most of the city on foot. It’s hard to believe this city is just a few hours’ drive from campus.
Then there’s the language. French is the official language of Québec, and you’ll notice it right away. As soon as you cross the border, street signs and storefronts suddenly switch to French. Nearly everyone will greet you with a “bonjour,” but most people will speak English as soon as they realize you aren’t a local. Even so, ending a conversation with “merci” is a small gesture that many locals will appreciate. And if you’re taking French classes at Colby, there’s no better way to put your French skills to use.
Restaurants are where things can get trickier for those of us who don’t speak French. Having an English translation is not always guaranteed, so I’d recommend using Google Translate or asking a staff member. But the food there makes all the effort worth it. Getting poutine in Canada should definitely be on your list; it seriously gives Pinky D’s a run for its money. Maple syrup also shows up everywhere, so if you have a sweet tooth, you’ll have lots of options for dessert.
You should be warned, though: pack more layers than you think you’ll need. Québec City was noticeably colder than Maine, even in October. You’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, so bring layers to make the long walks more enjoyable.
Luckily, the people are much warmer than the weather. Locals in Québec are so friendly and welcoming, even though I didn’t speak French. Nobody seemed bothered when I was fumbling my way through a menu or asking for help with directions. It felt like they were genuinely happy to help. Canadians leave an impression that leaves you wanting to come back.
There’s far more to Québec City than I could fit in one article, and the best way to understand is to go! So next fall break, consider skipping the extra sleep and dare northward instead. You’ll come back to campus a little tired, but it’ll be worth it.
~ Pamela Swartz `28
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