Winterlude, Poutine and Beaver Tails!

---

Things have slowed down alot since last entry in terms of craziness, and for that I'm glad to have a bit of time off to explore and do my own thing. While I love hanging out 24/7 with people, hitting bars and acting like I was back in university, I also appreciate striking off on my own, forging my own path through the urban wilderness. Maybe I'm getting old and senile. Well senile for sure.

I spent two more days in Toronto before heading back to Ottawa where I'm currently typing this entry for the world to enjoy. Those last days in Toronto were of course fun filled days spending time with friends both old and new and taking lots of pictures. I shall miss the lovely people at the Canadiana Backpackers Inn and have always enjoyed my stays there, plus no matter how drunk you are the night before, pancake breakfests in the morning make everything all better. I shall look back on the many fond memories, such as China Town Hijinks, Subway Schenanegans and being a totally lazy putz.

Sometime about a week ago I hoped back on a train heading to Ottawa. Now I've already been here many many times before, but hey, it is Winterlude people! For those of you not in the knowhow, Winterlude is a yearly celebration here in Ottawa (and across the river into Gatineau Québec) that invovles lots and lots of snow, gigantic ice parks and lots of really fattening food. I'm loving it, to quote the annoying fast food jingle.

Most of the pictures on here will be of this awesome event. There was so much to do, I almost don't even know where to begin. Well I'll include only the really awesome things, since if I included everything, people would die of boredom or perhaps go into seizures from staring at the monitor for hours upon hours.

So I'll begin with the giant slabs of ice located right in downtown Ottawa. Oh yes! The ice carvings were in full swing the first day I was wandering around. It is a shame I forgot my camera and it is also a shame is was a warm day. So when I returned with my magical picture taking device, most of the lovely sculptures of art were in a sad state of melt.

Never the worry though, cause with a little walk to the french side of the river I hit Gatineau and the really amazing works of snowart. Wow! Holy jumping Bejsus with a chainsaw these things were fricken wicked. Dare I say cool? I watched in awe during one day as the carvers set about the great beasts of snow, hacking them apart with a religious zeal not seen since the days of the Danish cartoon fiasco. A few days later (I went back lots) the blocks of snow were transformed into wonderous creations, all of which i captured on film! Well a computer memory chip.

Now these weren't the only cool things going on this Winterlude, there were slides! Ice slides! Being the kid that I am I had to fling myself head first down everylast one of them. Little children be damned if they got in the way of my fun! There was also skating *everywhere*! The Rideau River was finally frozen over and I got to skate on the world's longest skating rink! Man that was a blast skating through the city on the frozen river pathways.

All along the way and throughout all these events are little stands selling a curious culinary creation called the Beaver Tail. Not a real beaver's tail, but a pure canadian delicacy (well only in this city it seems). Just imagine dear readers deep frying a super flat donut and coating it all over with suger/cinnamon/fruit/whatever! Then comes the french candian staple of a good diet. poutine. *drools* Only about 4000 calories per bite, but damn what a tasty treat. French cut fries oozing with gravy and cheese curds. Don't knock it till you try it. Just be sure to bring extra large pants so your gut can expand.

So besides all of Winterlude I also managed to squeeze in a visit to the newly revamped war museum, and I'll throw up a few pictures of that as well. They had a really awesome exhibit on propaganda that included lots of old posters. Alot of them were....a tad risque to be show here, but I threw em up on another one of my websites. Plus seeing tanks is always nice and all the things Canada has faught over in the past. I also managed to spot two fellows from a popular tv show that is made back home in Nova Scotia!! Mr. Lahey and Randy from the Tralor Park Boys were seen touring the museum, and I got to shake their hands! What a silly little fanboy i am! The show requires a certain frame of mind, combining the ultimate in low brow humour with even more tasteless things. I think only Canadians get it.

Hmmmm what else. Oh yes, I toured the parliment building from the Peace Tower and the giant cavernless halls. Very pretty building I must say, and seeing as the new government will be setting up shop soon, I hope they can at least appreciate the same sights I saw, all while buggering up Canada. Bah i'll leave politics out of this blog, no need to get egged and beaten.

The last day I have been taking it easy looking at snow art and watching the olympics on tv. Go Canada! I love the olympics alot, from all the events to even the CBC theme song for it. The opening ceremonies were very well done. I wish I was there! Ah well, maybe next time when they are held in Canada again!!!! *bounces*

Well I'm getting tired. All this walking I've been doing and all the fattening food I've been eating is making my eyes heavy. I'll be outta this city tommorrow and onward to one of my favorite cities of all time, Montréal! I have a feeling I will be getting back into sin there :P It is impossible to not have a good time there.

So take care gentle readers, and give yourself a big pat on the back for slugging your way through this blog entry. Give yourself a cookie too. Especially if you like the pictures :)

---