My first work away experience

Hi,
So the past 2 weeks I've spent on the beautiful Ile d'Orleans.
Here I stayed in motel île d'Orleans and worked as a volunteer.
The concept work away is so you can travel cheap and on the place you stay you work max 5 hours a day and in return you get your stay and food. I've learned of this from a girl in my hostel in Montreal.

Here at the motel I was helping out with cleaning the rooms and preparing them for the new guest.
It was nice that you always got a thank you for your work after each day, even if it's part of the deal.
The two hosts Stephanie and Francois are very nice people and take really good care of you.
Just across the bridge you have the beautiful Montmorency falls and on my first day Francois took me there, because he was going for a run there with Elise the other girl who was there to volunteer.
Me and Elise stayed at the motel in a room with a kitchen and bathroom, just the perfect size for 2.
We got along great and on our days off or after work we explored the island together.
The first week Stephanie invited us to go to the movies with her and we had a great girls time :)
Also my first movie experience in Canada :)
Once a week we went to the supermarket with Stephanie and we could choose our groceries for a week, which was nice.
We could also borrow a bike if we wanted to explore the island, but I'm more of a walker than a biker.
One day of I did a 16km walk and saw some beautiful nature and the richer side of the island, you won't believe the houses I saw and the view they have. If only I had the money ;)
On the island you have all these little businesses who make their own products, like I went to the chocolatier and the nougatier. But my favorite was Monna & filles where they made everything with cassis. Everything was so good there :)

Also in 15min you're in Quebec city, so one day after work me and Elise went to visit. Or should I say she was my tour guide, cause she already knew the city. Of course the day we went the G7 was going on. We saw a manifestation, but it was pretty calm.
The city is small and cute, especially the old town. Loved visiting it :)

I just had a great time here and now it's time to move on to my new adventure.
Thank you Stephanie and Francois for the great experience :)

Love,
Sarah

Ile d'Orleans

Hi,
This week I went on a adventure on the beautiful Ile d'Orleans near Quebec City.
Why I'm here you will learn in another blog :)
So Ive been up to some amazing things on this little island.

A must see is actually just of the island, but worth the trip.
The Montmorency falls, who I"ve heard are 30m higher than the Niagara falls but of course not as wide. There is a bridge hanging over the falls and thats where I was. I'm really afraid of heights so this was a big deal for me, all by myself. But I did it and proud that i did :)
The view on the side of the falls was beautiful and breath taking. The view on the other side I didn't liked so much, but thats because you really felt/saw how high you were. It was nice but I was to scared to fully enjoy it. I went down on a lookout post to enjoy feeling and hearing to power of the waterfall. I just love nature so much and there you just felt the power of it.

The other day I decided to go to a tasting and because I love fruit I went to try out some cassis.
I went to Cassis Monna et filles and had an amazing time.
I did a little walk till there cause the weather was just so nice.
You had a little restaurant, an ice cream bar and the shop. Also you had a barn to learn more about what they do there and a little workshop area.
First I went to have the tasting, for only 2,50$ you could taste 3 wines and 1 liquor. They all tasted so good, I even liked it more than regular wine :)
You could also taste for free all of their other products, like ketchup, mustard (yes also made with cassis), but also confiture and compote. It was all just so good.
After all the tasting I went to the ice cream bar and had some cassis ice cream, who was so good and refreshing on a hot day like this. Just ate it on their beanie bag with an amazing view.

On my way to the tasting I've found a little hidden way, so I decided to go and explore it.
It was a way down, I think if I would've continue following it I would end by the water. But I just did a little walk into the little forest.

I had an amazing time on the island and would recommend it to people who are near to Quebec city. It's only a 20min drive and worth your time.

Love,
Sarah