Austin and the kids surprised me with a trip to Quebec City for my fortieth birthday, complete with a stay at the Chateau de Frontenac! The Frontenac is not only the city's nicest hotel, it is an architectural landmark and, if you read Percy Jackson, the home of the North Wind. Brrr! Quebec is a magical city in every season and I could not have had a more perfect birthday.
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| The Chateau de Frontenac |
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| Quebec City is even prettier in the winter. |
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Canada has the best candy stores.
Lucy would know. |
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| City lights. |
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| Light projections on a church facade. |
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| Cool light installations, with Cirque du Soleil-esque music. |
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| I love this man. |
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| Frontenac at night. |
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| Cones full of maple syrup. Only in Quebec! |
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| Riding the toboggan luge on the Terasse Dufferin. |
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| Birthday cake(s) from the Christmas market. |
Turning forty in a foreign country gives me a certain amount of plausible deniability (what happens in Canada, stays in Canada, right?) On the other hand, I couldn't have scripted a better life for myself on the cusp of middle age. I have a great little family, lots of projects to keep me busy and fulfilled, and a tenured professorship at a nice university -- plenty to show for forty years of living!
