Four hundred years ago on July 3, 1608 Samuel de Champlain established the first French settlement in Canada giving Québec City its start. Here's a shout out, even though the party began the first of the year, according to this CBC news report.

There's still plenty of time to participate since the celebration will continue until October 19 with Cirque de Soleil as the final act.

The article, written December 31, 2007 also mentioned that 80% of Canadians had no idea Quebec is 400 this year. I hope by now they do or they've missed out on good times already. The government has put $90 million towards the festivities.

Of all the events still to come, the one that piqued my interest is "Le chemin que marche: A glowing tribute to the St. Lawrence River." On the night of August 15 the river and its banks will be lit up and turned into a stage for "acrobatics, dance and megaprojections." The other events sound spectacular as well, but there's something extra special about river activities at night, particularly in the summer.

With 400 years under its belt, there are historical sites a-plenty to savor. Start off with the Historic District of Old Québec. The whole district is a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to the UNESCO Web site, this is one of the best examples of a fortified colonial city.

If I were going to Québec, one place I would take in the Henry-Stewart House. Generations of the same family occupied the house from 1918 to 1988. To me that translates to a more intimate perspective of this city through the lives of Stewart family members. Whenever I can attach real people to places I visit, I'm drawn in. Tea is included in the guided tour. How civilized is that?

Here's a link to other historic sites. There are so many worthy of note, it's hard to chose among them.

Other facts about Québec:

• The original name was Kébec
• Kébec is an Algonquin word that means "place where the river narrows"
  

Discussing how Americans are viewed abroad is a popular travel topic. But what about how Americans are viewed by their fellow compatriots? This map gives us the Californian view regarding the rest of the US. Reminds me of the Absolut Vodka map controversy...

Living in the Northwest, I am going to have to agree with the "coffee" statement. But some might find the map offensive because of the clear stereotypes; then again generalizing does provide for a fair amount of humor.

Know of any other humorous maps like the one above?

I happened to be in San Francisco for this year's Gay Pride weekend. So did an estimated 1,2 million other tourists, including men, women and the currently undecided.

Lots of people came here this year to get married since it is now legal in California. Lots of people came to make political statements: "I am thirteen and I understand equality. Why doesn't McCain?" Others came to criticize Boy Scouts of America for raising kids into homophobic adults. Yet another poster said "Christian + Gay = OK."

It was especially entertaining to watch the unsuspecting tourists stumbling upon the parade on their way fromSan Francisco's main tourist trap, Fisherman's Wharf. Different city completely! Yeah, they sell cheesy T-shirts here, too, but they are more original. I mean, what little kid wouldn't love a T-shirt that says: "I [heart] my mommies."

One of my favorite people was the guy in the picture. Part backpacker, part nudist. I could only aspire to that kind of liberation.

I've never understood how the concept of a silent rave ever got popular. People in a club listening and dancing to their own music on headphones. The hook is around the fact that you can dance to whatever music you want in a social environment.

How is this fun? Why wouldn't you just do the same at home? It's a social thing, but when do you talk? On drink breaks?

The concept originated in the Netherlands some years ago under the notion of "going wild in silence", and ever since has been floating around Europe. A couple of months ago, Union Square in New York held a huge "Silent Disco", apparently the first ever in New York.

In Madrid, it's come on a small scale. Organized by a youth center at their premises, I can't imagine it to attract too large of a crowd, but then again, it's Madrid -- you just don't know.

According to the CNN, the DJ's involved in introducing the concept say that they are confident that in the ever changing world of clubbing, it's better to be seen than heard. Hmmm.

I'd go to watch, but I doubt you can get away with just being a spectator to this silliness. Maybe I'll just go and join in.

Anyone out there living in the Big Sur area? If so, I am very, very sorry to hear about the devastating wildfires.

I am supposed to drive down from San Francisco to LA tomorrow and I was hoping to take Highway 1. Is that just completely insane? Is highway 1 still closed around Big Sur?

I have been reading a lot about the wildfires, but I can't find updated local information.

Anyone?

I know Grant has been keeping you well-informed about Virgin America's services, but I figured I would share my fresh observations.

I flew Virgin America for the first time yesterday: from New York to San Francisco. What can I say. I was impressed. Brand new plane, pleasant staff, fairly comfy leather (or fake leather) seats...For a second, you almost forget how painful it is to travel by plane these days!

One of the things I have always loved about flying Virgin Atlantic (the international version of the airline) is their in-flight entertainment set up: private screens with lots of movies, music and games to choose from.

I was hoping Virgin America would do the same.

They do, but you have to pay for it. I don't blame them. It's a great idea to target a bunch of people bored to death. We'll pay almost anything to make a few hours go by a little faster. Those in-flight magazines only go so far.

I was curious to find out how much everything costs once you board a Virgin America flight. Here is a short list:

• Headphones are free
• Listening to music and watching music videos is free
• Movies go for $5-7 a piece (there are lots to choose from)
• Most TV shows will set you back 99 cents an episode (again, lots to choose from)

There is no free food on board. That's not entirely bad news. I actually like that concept.

• You can choose from about 7 kinds of meals (sandwiches, wraps, salads) for approximately $8/piece
• Snacks such are about $2/piece
• Basic drinks are free - coffee, water, soda, etc.
• You pay $5 for beer, wine, etc.

You order your food using the TV screen of Red, Virgin's in-flight entertainment system. You can just make your order, swipe your credit card and a few moments later, a flight attendant shows up with your meal.

To summarize, my roundtrip ticket was about $500. (Yes, that's what NYC-SFO flights go for these days) and I also spent an additional $15 in movies and food. I have to say, I like that some airlines are turning to the "pay as you go" model. I love being able to choose my own meal and entertainment and choose when I want to eat, watch movies or sleep. This has got to be the way to do it.

Traveling to Flint, Michigan anytime soon? Better keep those pants up!

Flint's new police chief is planning to crack down on sagging pants that expose too much skin (or boxers.) Chief David Dicks feels that "this immoral `self expression' goes beyond freedom of expression; it rises to the crime of indecent exposure/disorderly persons."

Under the order, anyone with exposed buttocks could be arrested on "a misdemeanor charge of being a disorderly person, punishable by up to a $500 fine and three months in jail."

Hmm, I wonder why they don't fine girls for wearing thong-exposing low-cut jeans?

I frequently order special meals on planes. Why, you ask? They are usually much better than the standard in-flight fare you get.

I am neither a vegetarian nor a practicing Jew, yet I order vegetarian, kosher, low-sodium, or any other alternative I get, rather than ordering the standard salt-packed meal. I never thought twice about it.

My sister's recent experience changed that.

For her recent Czech Air flight from Prague to New York, my sister ordered a kosher meal. When distributing meals, the flight attendant came over and asked her:
"Excuse me, did you order a kosher meal?"
"Yes."
"Are you Jewish?" the attendant asked.
"Why do you ask?" she replied.
"Well random people sometimes order kosher out of curiosity and then they don't like it."
Sigh.

I don't know about you, but this strikes me as incredibly rude. Asking a customer what religion they are in front of a plane load of people? I don't think so.

It got me thinking though. Do airlines frown upon people ordering special meals just out of curiosity? Is it ethical to order kosher even if you are not Jewish? I, personally, don't think so. If it's offered, it's fair game.

Perhaps Heather, Gadling's own galley expert, could help us out here?

Flight delays, baggage complications and tight seating; flying isn't really on anyone''s list of favorites anymore. But because the state of airline and airport affairs is so mediocre, whenever you have a good experience there is a sense of elation; "My plane landed on time?!?!? Great!" That feeling is a whole lot better than knowing that you'll be flying into one of the world's most delayed airports.

If you want to plan your flying schedules around the airports that are known for getting their jets in and out in a timely fashion -- so you can actually stick to your travel schedule -- where should you go? MSNBC posted an article today with America's top 15 most on-time airports. Here are the top five with their percentage of on time flights:

1. Honolulu International, 84.3%
2. Kahului, 84.2%
3. Portland International, 81.8%
4. Salt Lake City International, 81.1%
5. Albuquerque International, 81%
   

Check out the other ten here and then book accordingly.



Thanks Emma!

This is an unbelievable story. It would also make you think we live in old communist Russia, not a country priding itself for valuing diversity.

Yes, a mother and her child were kicked off an American Eagle flight because she "wasn't able to control her toddler."

According to ABC Eyewitness News, the mother says she was "doing all she could to calm the autistic boy," but got "no sympathy from the flight crew."

The flight attendant kept coming over and tugging the kid's seatbelt to make it tighter. He, in turn, kept wiggling around and trying to get out of his seatbelt. And, according to the mother, the flight attendant kept coming over, reprimanding him, and yelling at him until he got really upset and started rolling around on the floor. At which point, everyone involved lost it.

Then, the pilot apparently made an announcement that there was a woman and her child on the plane and the child is uncontrollable. He turned the plane around and headed back to the terminal.

American Airlines (American Eagle's parent), of course, had a different story. They said the mother was pitching a "raging fit" and refused to comply with FAA regulations.

My question is: what did the other passengers do? Did they try to help the mother? Did they offer to wait until the child settles down? Or, do we live in a world where independent judgment and flexibility have vanished?