Saguenay, Quebec

On Tuesday morning, the Viking Sun docked at Saguenay in near gale force winds.  (Note the bend of the flag poles and pine tree in the photo above.

In spite of the wind, rain and 40 degree temperature, local volunteers decked out in historic clothing welcomed us as we disembarked for a morning tour.

A short distance outside of the city we visited "New France", a recreation of a 17th-century Quebec colony where settlers and First Nation tribes lived alongside each other.  Costumed actors provided first person accounts of what life was like.  Our village guide, in heavy French accent, shared how she had married a man who promised her a better life in the new world, but he died of scurvy after their 3-month sea voyage.  Her second husband went into the woods hunting and never returned; and so it was for 3 more husbands!  So she reluctantly decided her destiny was to be a widow. 

Then we met the Clan Mother of one of the local tribe's longhouses.  She invited us in and explained what life was like in her village.

She explained how the women did most of the work in the village and the men spent their time hunting, fishing and trading.  The Clan Mother demonstrated tools the First Nation people used made from trees, plants, animal bones and rocks.  Above she is explaining part of the medicine man's healing ritual.

In front of the longhouse was the garden.  The tribe grew 85% of their food supply.  The Indians planted corn, squash and beans together, known as the "three sisters".  The corn provided the stalk on which the beans could grow while the large leaves of the squash shaded the earth and prevented weeds.

Next we visited the nearby French settler's village.  The fort provided a home for the the Priest(s) and local governor.  In case of trouble (unfriendly Indians or the British), the local settlers would seek protection inside its protective walls.

A typical home of the early settlers consisted of a small, single-room structure.  "Small was good because it required less wood to heat during the cold winters."  This house would easily house a family of seven.

Inside the fort was the "dormitory" providing sleeping facilities for transient explorers, hunters, trappers and in times of trouble, the local villagers. 

The Governor's suite was more than just a fireplace and dirt floor.  It may have been equivalent to a 5-star hotel in the 17th century.

At the "store", we learned how trading was done using beaver pelts.  One pelt could buy a pound of salt but a pint of whisky required 3 pelts.

At 6:00 PM the Viking Sun's departure was delayed because the gale force winds had the ship pinned against the dock.  Two tugs were dispatched, one attached on the bow and the other on the stern, to assist the Viking Sun in separating itself from its entrapment.   Success!  We are free to continue our world adventure.

Nautical Term of the Day -- Skyscraper

This is the small triangular sail set above the skysail in order to maximize  its effect in a light wind.