I spent 5 months in Québec last year, and my trip to Canada is 
one I’ll always remember. What struck me first was the scenery. 
Everywhere I went, the landscapes felt open and alive, changing 
colour with the season. The forests, rivers, and wide spaces had a 
calm beauty that made it easy to slow down and simply enjoy being 
there. Seeing the different seasonal colours, made each place feel 
unique and full of character. From admiring the warm bright colours 
of fall in the mountains, to digging my car out of the snow every 
morning, I had the blessing to experience things to an extend I never 
had before.
I also really enjoyed discovering a French-speaking country that felt 
both familiar and completely different. Québec isn’t that far from 
Europe on a map (just a seven hour flight!), but felt a long way from 
my own French heritage. The language, the accents, and everyday 
customs showed how French culture has grown in its own way 
across the Atlantic. I loved learning about this mix of history and 
identity, and noticing small similarities alongside big differences.
Overall, the trip gave me a fresh perspective. It helped me connect 
with my roots in a new way while also opening my eyes to how 
rich and varied the French-speaking world can be. Québec felt 
welcoming, surprising, and deeply memorable.
Miss Piepdie
On May half term in 2019, we went on 
holiday to a few places in North America. 
We flew out from London to New York, 
drove to Pennsylvania to see the Railway 
Museum and the Amish house open to 
tourists, then I crossed the Rainbow Bridge 
going over the Niagara Falls leaving USA 
and entering Canada as shown in the 
photo. We then finished in Toronto (Canada) 
to fly back home. The first thing I noticed 
on my return was how tiny the Shard in 
London is compared to places in New York.
Before getting to New York, I anticipated 
the places in America to be similar to they 
are shown on TV shows, movies and news. 
There wasn’t as much police presence 
as I thought there would be. The 
armed police guarded the memorial 
grounds where the Twin Towers 
used to be. It was 
quiet, 
peaceful 
and serene. 
I loved 
spotting all 
the famous 
tall buildings 
and landmarks 
that appear in TV shows including one of 
my favourite comedies, ‘Friends’ and the 
building that appears in the theme song, 
going up the Empire State Building, with the 
Chrysler Building in the montage. After a day 
at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, 
we visited Lancaster County where can be 
found America’s oldest Amish settlement. 
Cars are replaced by horses and buggies 
and modern technology and clothing are 
swapped for a more traditional way of life. 
Later on my American journey I would spend 
hours admiring the Niagara Falls day and 
night from the hotel.
The American people usually talk with a 
more excited tone in their voice which put 
a smile on our faces. I found them to be 
unreserved, They do like their coffee, but I 
like tea. Surprisingly, it was really difficult to 
get a cup of tea, so I resorted to getting it 
from McDonalds.
I would like to go to North America again as 
I have some friends who reside in other U.S. 
cities, plus I would love to visit other parts 
of America. It is a vast area, so it will take a 
while to cover more famous landmarks.
Mrs Israel
A WEST SIDE STORY
QUÉBEC: A territory three 
times the size of France
21

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