A funeral procession in Quebec

The Mayor of Quebec, Madame Andree Boucher, passed away in late August. Her funeral was the Saturday we were in the old City.



We noticed there was no traffic when we walked past the wall. We were able to roam around and managed not to be near the Cathedral where the funeral mass was held. But while walking back up the hill, we saw hotel staff lining up for the procession taking her casket to the cemetery.



We decided to stop and wait as well. I gave the boys stern lectures to take off their caps and place them over their hearts as a sign of respect when the funeral procession came by.



I didn't feel comfortable taking too many photos of the actual procession. Each department of the city had a vehicle with flowers.

Suffice to say, I was a bit surprised when people around us broke into resounding applause as Madame Mayor's hearse came into views. The kids looked at me perplexed but I gave them a when in Rome look (or in this case Quebec) and we all joined in the applause.

Little lady started waving "to the people" in the limousines, members of her family, following the hearse. Several grandchildren (we later learned) were riding with their parents (the Mayor's children) in the cars. And I'm please to say that a few of them smiled after seeing my kids.

Only when I looked down did I realize that with one hand my three-year-old was waving while the other hand had hiked up her shirt and was rubbing her belly button.

At least they smiled.

Tomorrow: we cross the falls on a shaky foot bridge.