Travel Tuesdays: Soup Kitchen in Quebec City

Mixed vegetables and a roll

During our extended weekend business retreat in Quebec City, we placed on our agenda volunteering at a Soup Kitchen.  It was highly recommended by our accommodation host, and it was an experience like no other.   

The foods consisted of vegetable and beef soup, pasta and meat, vegetables and meat, mixed vegetables, and bread.  In addition, Rhonda oversaw desserts (danishes, cookies, and cakes), and Sharee oversaw beverages (tea or water).  Ironically, the hottest item of the evening was butter.  The Canadians tended to pile it on thick; hence, there was a person stationed next to the butter to ration the amount given.

Serving line

An initial barrier we thought would be the language.  However, bonjour (hello) and merci (thank you) were common phrases, and used 90% of the time by the more than 100 persons that came through the food line.  The other 10% of the time our interpreter, Charles, was very helpful and questions asked often were specific requests for a dessert or "un petit" or "a little" cup of tea. 

A key observation from the experience was that everyone had a smile on their face, and were very grateful for the meal.  They were able to stick around in the warm environment for up to 2 hours, and many took advantage of it considering the temperature was dropping quite rapidly as the evening progressed.  By the time we left it was in sub-zero degree conditions, and snow was beginning to fall anew.

A final thought of reflection came after our trip.  We met a lady in our local library that is currently living on the streets.  She has spent more than 40 years living on the streets on her own accord.  The last 30 years have been in our current city of Columbia, SC.  She gave us the real scoop of living on the streets, and despite her setbacks, she always found a way to eat or have a roof over head by being very knowledgeable about what services were available in the city.  Truth be told, many people are one paycheck from being homeless.  Another truth is that many of those classified as homeless DO work.  Cost of living has made it difficult to cover the basics of living-- a roof over their head and food for nourishment.

When you travel, have you taken the time to help those at need?  What places have you visited that tend to have a high rate of homelessness?

Travel Tuesdays: Oh Canada!!

Window view of Quebec City from Levis, Quebec 

The initial idea of going to Canada was brought about via a desire to go to an international location that wasn't too far away and in the same time zone.  The other part of the travel experience, was to host a career mentoring retreat.  We had a few initial interest but they fell through.  However, we had already made our travel plans.  Thereby, we used the time to conduct our annual business meeting.  Our 4-day agenda covered production contracts, new services rate card,  marketing materials, and an updated streamlined website to hosts our videos and blogs.  

But enough about business. You wanted to see pictures of Quebec City, and Levis, Quebec, Canada and the SNOW!!  It was a true white-out experience.

A walk around the neighborhood in Levis, Quebec

A mural on the side of a building in Quebec City

Sharee is all smiles against a white wonderland behind her

Rhonda strikes a quick smile even in -3 Celsius (26 Fahrenheit) degree weather

View from our apt in Levis, Quebec over looking Quebec City

Night view of Quebec City from Levis, Quebec apt

View of our apt from the ferry that crosses the St. Lawrence River
We took 200+ stairs down the hill to reach the ferry & back up on our return

The ferry took us across the St. Lawrence River from our Levis, Quebec apt to Quebec City and back

Quebec City, Canada (Videos)

We are excited about Phase II of Take A Leap. The Career Mentee/Mentor component will encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and go for your personal dreams. No more "woulda", "coulda", "shoulda".

View the two videos below of the beautiful sights of Quebec City, Canada, where we will be staying during MLK weekend 2014. Get your Passport and lets Cross over the Border.

Join us for the Take A Leap Career Mentoring Program International Retreat. New website coming SOON!!!

We would love to read your comments about Phase II of Take A Leap. Are you on the fence of starting a new career or striking out on your own? Do you need a career mentor/coach to help encourage you and keep you accountable?

Rhonda W.

Take A Leap Phase II

Streets of Quebec City via MotoVermont.com

In a blog post from a few weeks ago on stepping out on faith, we shared briefly that we will be expanding our Take A Leap concept to include two additional areas, careers & education and financial planning.  The Career Mentoring Program website will be unveiled in mid-June along with an E-book that will be available for $5.99 or when you pay the $50 deposit fee to participate in the career mentoring program, the E-book will be included as a bonus.  The orientation will be held mid-August for those local to Columbia, SC.

Waterfront view of Quebec City via Flickr

Those who are unable to attend in person will be provided materials via email within 24 hours of the conclusion of the orientation.  The program will officially begin in September with a number of assignments that Mentees must complete personally and in collaboration with their assigned Mentor.  In addition, Mentees will be preparing for their self-funded international trip.  We would like to formally announce that the international retreat location will be in Quebec City, Canada from January 17-January 20, 2014.  Videos from the international retreat will be documented for future segments of the Take A Leap webseries.  We are currently seeking locally and world-wide for Mentors and Mentees.  Please contact us at weconnectedprod[at]gmail.com for more information.