View from Westjet flight of homes in Quebec City
December 31st, 2011
Lots of white powder everywhere is what I saw as we descended on our Westjet flight to Quebec City. I was soooo happy! It has been rather warm in Toronto lately. Gone are the days of having a white Christmas. I was scared that when I went to Quebec City for New Years Eve that there would be no snow. Everyone said the magic of Quebec City is with all the snow which is why when Montreal got dumped with snow 2 days after Christmas, so I was happy!
Here I was looking down from the airplane to a winter wonderland not scared as I came fully prepared with snow pants, ski base layers, fleece sweaters, gloves, a warm hat and my new winter Sorel boots!
Descending on Westjet Flight to Quebec City
I went to information at the airport and asked if there were any buses to the centre. She told me there are, but not on weekends. Taxis are available outside for a flat rate of $32.50. I was happy to do that! I walked outside where there was a line of taxis waiting.
Bonjour I said with a big smile. Ok, so maybe my accent when I say “Bonjour” sounds good, and it’s as though I can speak French, but after that there is nothing else. LOL…. My French accent is just terrible. I can understand a few words just from the Spanish I know, and understand more or less what they are saying at times. Not always, but at times. I told him Je m’applle Elaine. Je suis du Toronto. He was probably thinking another Canadian that doesn’t know French. hahaha He asked me something like Vous Avez companion which I understood if I have a boyfriend. No boyfriend porquoi je suis siempre en vacanses. LOL No Boyfriend because I am always on vacations!!! LOL Then I started looking in my French phrase book and starting reading to him. Fun times trying to communicate in foreign languages. He gave me his card and told me if I need anything to call. 
British Tourism Ads at Yonge Subway Station in Toronto
Last week I was riding the subway when I came across some British tourism advertisements at Yonge subway station in Toronto. I was actually on my way to a travel host audition for a show, so when I saw these advertisements, I thought perhaps it was a sign I will be in the U.K sometime soon. Me and my signs! lol I remembered my one week in London last March and all of the magical historical places I visited. I can’t wait to go back and explore some more. I hope these British Ads inspire many Torontonians to travel to the U.K. They inspire me just to go to Yonge station in Toronto. xx Please check out my British You Tube Videos!
Culture is Great, Heritage is Great!
Culture is Great
Countryside is Great!
Paillard Cafe on Rue Saint Jean, Quebec City
December 31st, 2011
Sitting at a long wooden table at Pillards, a cafe on rue Saint Jean, one of the main streets in Quebec City. It’s a large open concept space with different counters; cafes, soupes, boissons, chocolats, patisseries, pains and many more that I can’t pronounce. It’s really cute! I think I could eat from all of them. I could even go for coffee with the French speaking Quebecois gentleman who served me. 
Mmmmmm yummy… Maybe even drinks instead! lol He had such a nice smile as he passed my Mediterranean tuna sandwich with coffee.
Mediterranean Tuna Sandwich & Coffee
It’s amazing how you can take a one hour airplane ride from Toronto and feel as if you are in a part of Europe. Now that’s WINNING! I flew out this morning with Westjet at 8:15 a.m. from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport. My flight return was just around $290 Canadian. At first I was looking at taking a Megabus to Montreal and then the Orleans Express Bus to Quebec City. Being that I was only going for 3 nights and the price I found by flight it wasn’t much a difference. I will fly! I woke up at 5:00 a.m. and made a You Tube Video. What else is new? lol
Here it is:
A taxi picked me up at 6:00 a.m. and took me to Richmondhill Center and from there I took a GO Bus to the airport.
Elaine waiting for a taxi to leave for Quebec City!
Cost of Taxi to Richmondhill Centre: $15 with tip
Cost of GO Bus to YYZ: $5.35
Cost of Taxi from my house to YYZ: $60
My way for $20.35 was definitely a Permanent Vacationer savings price! WINNING!
Oh there is a man playing the accordion while singing I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. Awww, it’s so nice and cozy in here.
Seat F1 on Westjet to Quebec City! WINNING!
I got seat F1 on my Westjest flight which means I was in the first row next to the window on the right hand side of the airplane. The lady at check-in asked how I scored such a great seat. Well I asked for it when checking in. Don’t you know Ask and you shall receive?
I think it was honestly karma from my flight flying from Toronto to Montego Bay on Canjet when I was placed next to the washrooms. LOL That was smelly!
Elaine Sarantakos, Permanent Vacationer's 12th Vacation of the year!
More to be continued…………
Room in Samsara Resort
November 30th, 2011
I’m in our king size bed at The Samsara Resort in Negril. With who? Oh, the Czech man I met 2 days ago at The Bethel Court Bed & Breakfast in Montego Bay silly. Wink Wink…… I am lying down in our king size bed which is in a large open bungalow with mint green curtains. Our bungalow is sooooo cute in the middle of lush green nature. Who would have known I would have ended up here? I certainly didn’t… but I’m sure glad I did!
My Czech friend & I having some yummy Jamaican food.
I could have stayed in Montego Bay at the hostel alone since there weren’t many backpackers to explore with or I had the option of going with a handsome friend from Prague to explore Negril. My Czech friend and I had so much fun in Montego Bay, so it wasn’t even a question to contemplate. And here I am lying in our beautiful room!!!! He is off to exchange our US currency to Jamaican dollars and to buy some fruits on the road for breakfast. I keep using the word “our” as if we are together. Well I guess that is what it seems like to everyone. I keep telling people I am single and they just think I’m trying to be funny. lol No really, I just met this dude 2 days ago. lol
Outside Our Bungalow
To Be Continued……….
