I am just returned from my nation’s capital, Ottawa – I’m a Canuck, as in Canadian (maple leaf, nanaimo bars, and much more, click here to learn about things invented in Canada
I digress obviously, I am returned after flying nearly all the way across this huge country of mine and back again.
I left my home nestled between Okanagan BC lakes and wineries and flew 3,537 kilometres (one-way) from Vancouver to Ottawa ~ again being reminded just how immense my country is.
I left home to enjoy time with a long-time friend which was watering my own lawn sort of. I am fortunate to have this friend for a long time, and it was a friendship that just came about. Any time spent with a friend, one you can really be yourself with, is refreshing – and my time with him was that.
Ottawa is a city but feels small. It is a city of stone buildings, green parks, and embassies. It is a bilingual city where when you enter a store you are likely to be greeted with “Bonjour” which is french for “Hello”. It seems a young city since the University of Ottawa is downtown. It is a multicultural city where the traffic is aggressive but the people are polite. Food ranges from poutine (french fries with gravy and Quebec cheese) to tacos, whatever your taste buds desire.
Museums and things to do are galore in Ottawa, and if you have a friend like I have, he will point out the different types of architecture, the English style buildings versus the French – check the Supreme Court of Canada building versus the Parliament Buildings. Monuments, and statues abound like Tim Hortons (it’s an ubiquitous coffee shop).
Not often can you return from a trip and feel refreshed. I did thanks to my friend.
Lawns like friendships take care to keep them green, and healthy. My friend is kind and generous, and a trip for him to visit here is always welcome but he can’t always do that. I went to visit there, and we had an exceptional time, some laughs, some exercise, (he arranged for a one week free gym pass in advance!), always comfortable, and refreshing.
Visit Ottawa, make friends with an Ottawa native, you will have a capital time, have some good food, see some statues and interesting things. You may even return refreshed, it’s that kind of place.
BTW – I visited Toastmasters club as a guest while in Ottawa. I was impressed because there are so many there, ninety!
Life and Random Thinking 
Great read.
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Thank you. Any suggestions for improvement?
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Wonderful photos to summarize the beauty of your trip, Ottawa, and of course your friendship. You use such a good analogy with the importance of taking care of a lawn, it needs watering and care…and the best part: “Any time spent with a friend, one you can really be yourself with, is refreshing – and my time with him was that.” The result of the watering and care. Wonderful message, and also the reason you had such a wonderful trip. Great post.
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I wondered if anyone else would like the analogy, I really appreciate your feedback.
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Yes, more people should travel to Canada.
While living abroad I have learned to ask if someone is North American-
With respect to all my Canadian friends who
Have to correct Americans who make the wrong
Assumptions.
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Back refreshed – glad you had a wonderful time with your friend. Great photos! 🙂
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It was great having you visit, but it was too short. Ottawa is also close to Montreal and we did an easy day trip there for the big European city experience. Next trip you have to bring more than just one bottle of Okanagan wine.
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Ottawa is such a great city! My son & daughter-in-law have lived there for the past few years so I have had the opportunity to explore a bit when visiting. How wonderful that you continue to make the effort to stay in touch with your friend!
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Beautiful pictures and a nice write-up… 🙂
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Love Ottawa! We lived nearby for a year awhile back. Such a clean city but it always felt that everybody went to sleep way too early for my liking 😉 love your pictures! We will be flying your way shortly from the East coast to the West coast. We are stopping for a night in Kelowna on our journey from Edmonton to Victoria. Is there anything you would recommend we do/visit while there?
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I enjoy time walking in the park by the bridge; some good restaurants downtown but if you want to try something different go to the Mad Mango Cafe downtown for lunch, for an excursion Peachland is close and visit parrotisland.net which has parrots Emily will meet. Dawat restaurant in downtown Kelowna is always delicious.
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Thank you. If we could only visit one winery, which one would you say is a must? I am not looking at the most popular necessarily but something original/unusual. I will look up Parrot island. I was always looking at a lavender farm… It looks so beautiful!
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Mission Hill Estate Winery is worth visiting definitely for the building and architecture. I like many wineries closer to penticton where I live also.
Local visitor centres can be helpful but nothing beats a local for advice, I know Penticton even better though.
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