Canada, I Salute You!
Parliament Hill
I love Canada. I can probably just end the blog there but that would be boring and you wouldn’t read about my experience in Canada from last week. My beautiful love Sarah and I decided to take a few days off and take a quick trip up to the Canadian capital, Ottawa. If you’ve never been there, you are missing out. No, it’s not built up like Toronto and not as famous as Montreal, but the experience is excellent.
After a short delay through some lake effect snow on Interstate 81 through Pulaski, across the border we go! If you’ve never driven through Southern Ontario, you aren’t missing much. Lots of farmland and plains with the occasional small town that pops up. But that didn’t stop us from enjoying the sunny drive up. Upon arrival in Ottawa, a trip to IKEA was in order. I mean, when the opportunity arises, IKEA is a must stop, especially if you are dating a Swede! Once settled in the hotel, it was dinner time at The Whalesbone on Elgin and some after dinner cocktails (at a few places….) to cap the night.
The first full day in Ottawa included a trip to the Ottawa Museum of Nature. The exhibits were excellent and the interior of the building was nothing short of spectacular. The building itself was built between 1905 and 1911 and built in honor of Queen Victoria. The building is a Tudor-Gothic Revival style architecture. It basically looks like a castle from the exterior.
Notre Dame Cathedral
The second half of the first day included a trip to the Canadian Parliament, located on Parliament Hill on the banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa. The set of buildings that make up the Parliament are also of Gothic revival style and fit into the theme of Ottawa’s architecture. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a tour of the buildings due to the passing of former Canadian Prime Minster, Brian Mulroney, as his body lie in state for the public to pay their respects. There was also a lot of refurbishing of one of the buildings that made access minimal. Outside however, we were able to take plenty of pictures. Unlike the District of Columbia, there is no need for barricades of any sort around their government buildings.
We wrapped up our first day at ByWard Market which is probably the coolest place in the city that we explored. This, which is within a short walking distance from Parliament Hill, includes several shops and a plethora of restaurants. Pretty much any cuisine you can think of is available. To say that we ate the best poutine at Bytown JOS would be an understatement. If you’ve never had poutine, then I don’t know what to tell you. Gravy and cheese curds on top of french fries. Delicious! And the poutine I had included shredded duck confit which was out of this world.
Spider sculpture outside the National Gallery of Canada
Day two featured another museum. This time, we spent a few hours at the National Gallery of Canada, which is also in the downtown area of Ottawa, between Parliament Hill and ByWard Market. The Gallery included wonderful pieces of art from a variety of world renowned Canadian artists, none of which I can even name. But I assure you, they are world renowned (at least that is what all those little placard things said). After the trip to the Gallery, we walked across the street to the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that most cathedrals with the name “Notre Dame” will be beautiful and the cathedral in downtown Ottawa is no different. From the woodwork, to the tile work and stained glass, it’s a must visit. The inside of the cathedral is breath taking. To cap things off on our final full day in Ottawa, we had the greatest Sri Laken cuisine, at a restaurant called Ceylonta in Centretown.
I know this isn’t a real comprehensive review of Ottawa, but a few highlights that may entice you the next time you want to take a trip to visit our friendly neighbors to the north. It’s a short three hour drive from Syracuse, NY and no hassles at the border in the North Country. There is a very international feel to the Ottawa and if you like history, there is plenty for you to see. Take a flyer. Book a hotel on Elgin Street and be within a 15 to 20 minute walk from everything. Only recommendation I would make is go when it’s not 25 degrees and windy!