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To: Crocodile who wrote (35130)	8/16/1999 3:28:00 PM
From: Ilaine	Respond to of 71178

Yes, Fort Louisbourg was quite a trek, but well worth it, at least my husband and I thought so. For those who have never been there, in the 1960's, the Canadian government rebuilt a French fortified city that had been razed by New Englanders in 1759, and then abandoned for 200 years. Archeologists excavated the site, and historians gathered documentation like deeds, plans and plats from archives, and then out of work coal-miners were taught how to use archaic methods to construct buildings and make metal fittings, and then the old city was reconstructed, in completely authentic detail, from the ground up. It's awesome. That, in itself, would be remarkable, but many of the buildings are "inhabited" by people who dress like the former residents, and are taught a history, and can discuss "current events" and their own niche in the place and time. For example, the first place we were taken to after we got off the bus from the entrace was a house owned by a cod fisher, who described why the French were there ~ salt cod ~ as Catholics, the French ate fish 150 days a year ~ Friday, Saturday, and Lent. Then we were allowed to wander around the immense acreage, dozens of buildings, maybe 50 were inhabited or else had a museum inside. One of the most fascinating was on construction methods, another was on metal-working. There was a blacksmith who was making nails, and could discuss how to work iron using 1744 techniques. There was a cook, showing how to cook on an open hearth, and a baker, showing how to bake in a wood-fired oven, and a lace-maker, and so on and on. I would say that if one is interested in eighteenth century European and North American history, and I mean truly interested, as I am, then it was well worth the trip. One of the most interesting conversations I had was with the town engineer, a very intelligent man, who was able to explain, for example, why the sea is a meter higher now there than then (plate techtonics, not global warming). The lace-maker explained that the inhabitants were dependent on food brought in from France because they were fishermen, not farmers, and did not grow potatoes, which is one of the few things that grow well on the poor soil because the French did not eat potatoes until almost the twentieth century. This dependence is how they were defeated, they were beseiged in late winter when they were low on food. I wish we could have spent more time there, but the children got bored, and we were only able to stay six hours. But it's so far away, I don't think we'll ever go back.

To: Crocodile who wrote (35130)	8/16/1999 6:15:00 PM
From: Ish	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71178

<<apologizing and saying "I'm sorry" when our toes get stepped on by someone squeezing past in a lineup. >> In the States a lineup is where they show criminals to witnesses. <<And stopping to let pedestrians cross even if there isn't a crossing, or waving at motorists to go ahead and make a left hand turn in front of us at intersections. >> That's also small town Midwest. <<Hmmm...yes..., you usually won't find much "litter" around here.>> When I was in Germany they painted their electric towers green so they wouldn't show in the woods. Litter was unheard of. Where I live people toss McDonalds wrappers and beer bottles in their neighbors yards. A real shame.