Visiting Quebec City has always been a dream for me. A 5-hour road trip felt so close, yet so unattainable. After many years of pining to visit this magical place, I (we) finally did it. It still feels surreal. I miss it already. 

We had less than a weekend’s time to travel back and forth. In an ideal world, under ideal circumstances, we would’ve spent at least a few days there, just to bask in the old city centre itself, then spend more days exploring local areas in the outskirts, as well as visit all that nature has to offer there. But it’s not an ideal world for us. 

Our lives are hectic; there’s no repos or time off; we’re exhausted; and our kids are a feral bunch. As people — and parents now — who’ve lived through multi-layered challenges, and more, we understand and accept that there really isn’t a right time or moment to do anything, even travelling. It’s never going to be just right. Good enough is sometimes just that: good enough. We’ve learned to adapt and ride the waves of life. 

A 10-hour roundtrip is mighty. While we knew that we’d have less than a full day’s worth to explore, we weren’t going to attempt to milk as much time as we could. Leaving before sunrise wasn’t realistic for us. The kids needed all the sleep they could get. Even we needed sleep. We left when were able to — and that was just fine. That morning, we woke up, booked our hostel, hastily packed our bags, and got ready. We set out the door in record time; and after adding gas and grabbing takeout lunch, we hit the road. 

I love that my husband and I are spontaneous and adaptable people. Together, we’re like travelling pandas. We’re incredibly lucky that our kids are very well-behaved in the car, too. As much as they exude chaotic energy, oddly, on long road trips they become highly introspective. No tablets, toys, or anything for company. Just snacks, naps, and observing the roads and sceneries out the window. We love that for them, and we love that for us. 

It was 4PM by the time we’d arrived in Quebec City. Since it was a grey rainy afternoon, visiting the Quebec Aquarium after a long car ride was perfect to stretch our legs and explore, especially for the kids. (We adults were excited, too!) We all enjoyed seeing all the fishes and sea creatures. The fluffy seals were my favourite, and for some reason — perhaps because I lack survival instincts — I just wanted to cuddle them. Two hours felt fast, but it was just right for our kids, before they dove into chaos.

Our hostel was in the city centre — its own perk, of course — but that meant that parking was non-existent, so we opted for a paid 24h parking garage. It was raining as we walked to our hostel; and it was new for us to see our kids pulling their little luggages under the rain in a new city, looking like cute gnomes in their rain boots and yellow raincoats. After a long car ride and walking a far stretch in the rain to the hostel, our kids did incredibly well. We got to know our kids in a different light and under different circumstances — and we’re proud of their resilience. 

The hostel was quaint. Being back at a hostel reminded me of when I used to travel and stay in hostels in parts of Europe and Asia. I especially fondly remembered the morning breakfasts, which were always so fun, because they’d signal that a new day had arrived, waiting to be lived and explored. Now that my family has joined me on a stay like that for the first time, it really feels as if I’d come full circle in life. It was the first time we’d stayed overnight as a family in a hostel on a trip in general. It was also fun seeing other families with kids at the hostel. (I could tell they were hostel travellers, too, pre-kids.)

After checking into our hostel, and a mini repos, we set out to walk in the evening. The air was crisp after a rainy afternoon; and with all the cobblestones and old architecture and buildings, we felt like we were walking in a mini European city (of course). The old city at night was a majestic experience, but soon after, we scurried back to our hostel to get the overtired kids to bed (sleep they did not do). The highlight of the evening’s walk was our kids stopping to admire and appreciate a talented singer; they were both emotionally invested. It was incredibly sweet. 

The next day arrived, and after breakfast and checking out of our hostel, we walked back to our car to drop off our luggages. It was raining again — it was supposed to rain heavily that day — and walking with luggages whilst holding umbrellas and trying to get two little kiddos to walk safely was a feat, but we did it. All was in the car, and after grabbing snacks and loud tantrums thrown over Bear Paws, somehow, we made it out to explore again. It’s never stress-free as parents, but alas, this is our lives in all its glory and challenges. We’ve learned to embrace the unknown.

The morning began raining and grey. Even if sunny days are pragmatically easier for exploration — and for kids’ moods, let’s be real — we loved the rain. The weather is always unpredictable, just like life itself. If it rains, and it rains hard during our walks and we get soaked, so be it. We’re not those who wait for sunny days and perfect moments. But we were lucky, for the skies started to clear up and the sun began to peak its nose. As the sun came up, it was a call to ice cream for the kids. We stopped by an ice cream shop, and what a dear sight it was to watch them feed each other ice cream at the table!

We’d spent just two hours walking around, exploring the upper and lower town. Staircases were rough for our kids’ little legs. K would often exclaim, “Oh man, another one!,” and passersby would chuckle with laughter. (Kids always blurt what we’re truly thinking and feeling.) After two hours, as parents, we knew: our kids were getting overtired, and with it, a bit dysregulated. We knew it was time to head back to the car, and then drive back home. After all, my husband had to work the next day. 

It’s crazy, indeed, to drive ten hours, and then spend only half a day at most exploring. But such are our lives. Our hearts our full. It was our first big trip as a family, and despite the little challenges, it was a success. I already long to return. I look through photos, and dream of it. Perhaps next time I could get a souvenir from Quebec City that I’d forgotten to grab. (This is my mom brain in full force during travels.)