Quebec City in October.
Canada in the fall is as beautiful as one might imagine, with its changing and falling leaves. The colors are brilliant and the process is further along here than it is in North Carolina - many trees are nearly bare, or have already said farewell to all of their coverage. Today, Quebec City is overcast and drizzly. I was able to catch a few hours of sun that broke through the clouds, but now, as I watch the city from my hotel window, I see tiny people with umbrellas, wet walkways and roads, and a grey sky. This time that I have for rest and relaxation, for aloneness and quiet, it is working well with the dreary weather. I've finished a book already, between hotel and airplane reading, and I just made a cup of hot tea, thanks to the hotel room coffee maker.
I slept in this morning, until 9:15, then I went out for coffee and breakfast. I found a bench, the same bench on which I enjoyed my coffee during our last visit, and I sat. It is so strange to have absolutely no other responsibility than to feed myself when I'm usually in mommy mode, nearly forgetting about my needs. I saw lots of babies and small children as I walked Old Quebec and I missed my own. I had my camera, of course, so I took pictures of this beautiful place and thought a lot about how much God has blessed us with. I wondered how much beauty I walk right by and never even notice.
A man from the city approached me and we talked briefly about where I was from and why I'm here. In very broken English, he invited me to stay at his apartment next time I visit without Sean. He tried to give me his number. He told me I was beautiful, and while I'll take the compliment, it was so creepy and made me think of what a small percentage of people must respect marriage these days. I told him I would never be here without my husband and quickly walked away.
After I recovered from that conversation, I visited a few shops and literally walked until my feet hurt. The city is decorated for fall and Halloween, so while I've been here only 15 weeks ago, it doesn't look exactly the same.
I'm now waiting for a) Sean to return from work and b) an update on one of my best friends, who is currently in labor! I'm so excited, but also so disappointed that I'm going to miss this baby girl's birth. I was present when this friend gave birth to her son 4 year ago, and it was just one of the best experiences ever. I was able to take pictures for them of those sweet moments right after birth and I was hoping to do that again. Sweet girl had other plans and you can be sure meeting her will be at the top of my to-do list once we return home!
I slept in this morning, until 9:15, then I went out for coffee and breakfast. I found a bench, the same bench on which I enjoyed my coffee during our last visit, and I sat. It is so strange to have absolutely no other responsibility than to feed myself when I'm usually in mommy mode, nearly forgetting about my needs. I saw lots of babies and small children as I walked Old Quebec and I missed my own. I had my camera, of course, so I took pictures of this beautiful place and thought a lot about how much God has blessed us with. I wondered how much beauty I walk right by and never even notice.
A man from the city approached me and we talked briefly about where I was from and why I'm here. In very broken English, he invited me to stay at his apartment next time I visit without Sean. He tried to give me his number. He told me I was beautiful, and while I'll take the compliment, it was so creepy and made me think of what a small percentage of people must respect marriage these days. I told him I would never be here without my husband and quickly walked away.
After I recovered from that conversation, I visited a few shops and literally walked until my feet hurt. The city is decorated for fall and Halloween, so while I've been here only 15 weeks ago, it doesn't look exactly the same.
I'm now waiting for a) Sean to return from work and b) an update on one of my best friends, who is currently in labor! I'm so excited, but also so disappointed that I'm going to miss this baby girl's birth. I was present when this friend gave birth to her son 4 year ago, and it was just one of the best experiences ever. I was able to take pictures for them of those sweet moments right after birth and I was hoping to do that again. Sweet girl had other plans and you can be sure meeting her will be at the top of my to-do list once we return home!
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