Life and Random Thinking

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!

Peace Tower

Ottawa river and Parliament buildings from the back

National Art Gallery and Notre Dame Basilica

Rideau canal skaters in winter

Looking west past the Chateau Laurier hotel

Rideau Canal in summer

Supreme Court of Canada

Parliament Buildings skyview