stranger from quebec city

Many months ago, I was working the reference desk at the library on a particularly slow day when a middle aged coupled tentatively approached. The gentleman spoke in broken English with a French accent, and his wife spoke no English at all. After struggling a bit to understand him, I figured out he was looking for a sculpture park he'd heard about here in Frisco (this in itself is slightly bizarre, as French-speaking tourists seeking cultural attractions are rarely encountered on the children's floor of my library!)

Anyway, I asked if they were from France, and he told me they were "on tourism" from Quebec City! It so happened that Ryan and I had just decided to honeymoon there a few days before - I was psyched! I excitedly told him of our plans to visit there, and he asked if I'd like any suggestions. Of course I said yes, and I gave him my email address, fully expecting to never hear from him again.

Well, back in June I got this email from - you guessed it - my Canadian friend! Here is what this amazingly kind man wrote, with his links included in case any of you are considering visiting Quebec City in the future:

When I was traveling in Texas (Frisco) in May, you kindly help us to find where we would want to go (sculpture). You tell me that you will be visiting Québec-City in August 2008. You likely know that Québec-City is celebrating its 400^th birthday this year but in August most of the celebration events will be over. In preparation of your trip I am pleased to send some information about Québec-City and its area.

http://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/en/accueil

http://www.fairmont.com/Frontenac/?cm_mmc=icppc-_-Branded-LCF%20-%20Le%20Chateau%20Frontenac%20-%20Canada-_-google-_-chateau+frontenac;

http://www.lacitadelle.qc.ca/section.php?lang=en&id=4

http://www.quebecregion.com/e/membres-details.asp?lnMagicNmbr=30794&lnMajMajorBc=200&sMinorMinor=0220

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/quebeccity/A20234.html

http://www.assnat.qc.ca/eng/index.html

http://www.nouvellefrance.qc.ca/en

http://www.valcartier.com/default.aspx?LA=EN

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_City

http://www.portquebec.ca/index.php?lang=fr_CA

http://www.museocapitale.qc.ca/012a.htm

http://www.mnba.qc.ca/Home.aspx

http://www.quebec400.gc.ca/bienvenue-welcome-fra.cfm

http://www2.ignatius.edu/faculty/turner/quebec/index.htm

http://monquebec2008.sympatico.msn.ca/MonQuebec2008/?lang=en-ca

http://www.jacques-cartier.com/index.html

http://www.baiestpaul.com/accueil.php

http://www.ville.levis.qc.ca/Fr/Index.asp

Some Internet sites are in French but most of it are in English. Should you need more specific information let me know.

I just love knowing that I can still depend on the kindness of some strangers (at least those from Canada!)