Advertisement
Published: August 20th 2015
Edit Blog Post
We started the morning at a cute little local patisserie at the Byward Market. Trying to ignore the delectable brioches, fluffy eclairs and chocolate ganaches, we ordered coffees and sat to rest near an open window to watch the vendors set up their tables with colourful fruits and vegetables. A garbage truck stopped to pick up refuse and two workers descended from the cab. The large, bald, beer-bellied, army-booted one was obviously the boss as the other guy did most of the work while the big guy stuffed pastries in his pie hole. After a half-hour stop which only involved 10 minutes of work, they carried on.
On our way to the National Gallery, we stepped into Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was completed in 1846. We were dumbstruck by the opulence. The interior of the church is painted with brilliant jewel-like paint. The interior is gilded and there are exquisite stained glass windows and hundreds of statues of various religious figures. It is ornate and dazzling. We felt like we were in Italy.
It was a quick five minute walk to the National Gallery of Canada, an extraordinary glass and granite building on Sussex Drive with an outstanding view of
the Canadian Parliament buildings. A 30-foot spider, complete with 26 white marble eggs under its belly, greets you. The Gallery is home to more than 40,000 works of art and the most comprehensive collection of Canadian art in the world, including a large number by the Group of Seven. European and American Galleries display paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the early fourteenth to the late twentieth century.
We especially loved the special exhibition by Alex Colville, an artist from Nova Scotia, and the paintings in the Canadian collection which provided a snapshot of Canadian history through its art, some dating back to the 18th century. We were at the Gallery for over three hours and still missed so much. We hurriedly glanced at the Cézannes and Picassos, the Rembrandts and Degas, trying to see everything in our short time there.
As I was leaving the building, I noticed an older fellow sitting with his wife, having tea in the foyer. He was perched in a red oversized wing chair and looked remarkably like Farley Mowatt. How Canadian of him. I told him that he looked like a painting and asked if I could take his picture. "I'm
flattered", he said and smiled and nodded. I think it will be one of my favourite photos.
We headed for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which holds the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier who died in France during World War I. He was selected from a cemetery in the vicinity of Vimy Ridge. The atmosphere is even more somber there after the fatal shooting last October of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, the reservist who was performing the ceremonial role of protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There are now two reservists guarding the tomb and they carry firearms. I asked a soldier if I could get my picture taken with him. "Of course", he said. As we stood together, I leaned over and whispered, "Are you sucking your gut in?". "A little", he whispered back with a grin. It was a great shot.
We noticed a few things about Ottawa, some good, some bad. Homeless and mentally ill people abound, especially on Rideau Street. When one views the opulent lifestyles of the politicians and ambassadors - free lunches, free haircuts, free flights for spouses and children, huge pensions - it seems wrong.
A good thing
about Ottawa is the open show of affection. Lovers kiss on street corners while waiting for the light to change or sitting on a wall, entwined and amorous.
There is a however, however. Ashley Madison, the Toronto-based website created for married people to find new lovers, is popular in Ottawa. According to their data, in 2013, one in five Ottawa residents were on Ashley Madison, making it the most infidelity-friendly city in the country.
There’s a general saying in Ottawa - you go to Conservative events to get drunk, Liberal events to get laid, and NDP events to get pamphlets.
We were amazed at how accessible Parliament Hill is to the public. Tourists wander the grounds freely and come amazingly close to the buildings. Tim walked right up to the front doors of the Centre Wing and pretended to knock without any interference from security. We are still a gentle and trusting country. That's what I love about Canada.
We decided to have a look at the Ottawa Locks, which connect the Rideau Canal to the Ottawa River almost 80 feet below. The locks have been in continuous operation since 1832. We were lucky enough to
see a boat coming up through the locks. As it has been done since the beginning, each one was opened and closed using hand cranks.
Next, we boarded a boat for a tour of the Ottawa River. The view of Parliament Hill and its surrounds was breathtaking. It sits atop a majestic rock cliff like a castle. We also saw 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of the Prime Minister, the Supreme Court Building, the American Embassy, the Gatineau River, and best of all, a naked man jumping from a cliff on the Quebec side of the river, perfectly timed to coincide with our passing by and very entertaining, I must say. Oh those French!
After a day of sightseeing in 32 degree weather, which has been the case for most of our trip, we headed for the Chateau Laurier for drinks. They are outrageously priced but we only have one each and it is our goal to have a drink at every historical CP/CN hotel in Canada. The server was lovely, genuine and fun but feigned amnesia when we asked her if she had served Mike Duffy and if so, did he leave a tip? Damn confidentiality
agreements!
After drinks, we returned to our room to wash off the day's sweat and grime before heading to Fat Boys restaurant for some southern barbecue. There we met our friend Haillie and her boyfriend Jason for dinner. Haillie attends the University of Ottawa and we were so happy that we could see her and Jason while we were there. We had stimulating conversation, good laughs and waaaay to much to eat.
Whew, what a day. Tomorrow? New Brunswick! Yippie! I'm finally going to see the Maritimes.
(Scroll to bottom of page for more photos.)
Advertisement
Tot: 0.156s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 6; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0656s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb