La Citadelle (the Citadel), in Upper Town, was built by the British in the 1700s and completed in the 1800s, when they ruled Quebec (1763-1867). It is a fortress dug into the Plains of Abraham so that you don't know it's even there until you realize you're standing on the roof (they're all covered with grass). It is home to Quebec's Royal 22e Regiment. Once we entered the fortress, we discovered, much to our delight, that the changing of the guard ceremony was taking place.
I could not believe Tracy agreed to pose for this and the next pic - as a ram, the official mascot of the Royal 22e Regiment. :D
"Je me souviens" (I remember) is the official motto of the province of Quebec. In 1883, Eugène-Étienne Taché, Assistant Commissioner for Crown lands in Quebec and architect of the provincial Parliament building had the motto carved in stone below the coat of arms of Quebec which appears above the Parliament Building's main entrance door. The motto then came into official use, the full significance of which cannot perhaps be readily expressed in English words but which may be paraphrased as conveying the meaning “We do not forget, and will never forget, our ancient lineage, traditions and memories of all the past."
from Wikipedia
I asked this guard if he would mind if Jed stood beside him so we could get a picture. He didn't answer, of course; it was hard to tell if he even heard me, since his hat was pulled down over his eyes. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment