July 16, 2013 04:55

On my connecting flight from Toronto, one of my favorite artists of all time Stevie Wonder was sitting in the row in front of me across the aisle. There was a period in college where his songs were literally the only music I listened to.

I learned that he was the closing act for the Festival d'été de Québec the following night. I would have paid the full $76 price for a 2-week pass just to see him but my kind hosts found me a ticket and I got to see him perform live for free! His voice is incredible and seems as strong as it was in the decades-old recordings I have. My favorite was "I Just Called to Say I Love You", he also played "My Cherie Amour", "Superstition", and many others of course.

Before the concert, my hosts also took me for a little walking tour of Vieux-Québec. C'est très charmant! It's so beautiful and clean, and feels very European. The view of the Fleuve Saint-Laurent was breath-taking, especially at sunset. I really love this city; it may have replaced Boston as my favorite. I'll definitely come back again.

For now I am stuck in Montréal, which so far reminds me very much of Chicago... dirty and crowded. I'll give it a chance though.

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