Blog for Ottawa:
This was to be an interlude. Five days away from home, at a hotel, and visiting a city which we enjoy, but had not explored a lot. And so it was.
On the Friday, November 18, we were driven to the Aldershot station by Richard, and got the GO to Union, waited briefly before boarding the train for Ottawa. The train itself was on time leaving, and we pulled out into a bright sunny day, for our trip through the Southern Ontario countryside, through Kingston, up to Smith Falls, and on to Ottawa. It was wonderful being in business class: we ate well, and had wine with our meal; lots of room for our legs; and large windows to look out from.
When we arrived in Ottawa, we decided to check with the ticket folks about our return ticket, and had wanted to upgrade to Business Class for that trip as well. The agent said he had some bad news: I had mistakenly booked the return ticket for the sae day and same time as the ticket to Ottawa! Oops. We had to call Customer Relations and hope they would correct this. And of course it was now the weekend. Nothing to do but get to our hotel. But from here, our luck changed.
On the way to the bus area, a woman helped us by telling us which bus to take, and directing us appropriately. The bus was quick to arrive, driven by a crusty middle-aged woman, who nonetheless ingratiated herself to us by announcing that seniors travelled free on Friday afternoons and evenings. And it got us to within a block of our hotel.
That night we walked over to Elgin Street and found a place called the Fresco Bistro Italiano, where wer had a delightful, although noisy, meal. Home to bed.
The next day, we were not in a rush to get out early. Darlene was of course up earlier than I, and out for an exploratory walk. We decided to head off to the Museum of Civilization, but first went to the Byward Market area (it being Saturday). Lovely to see some farmers still there, bravely displaying their wares, along with several other venders. We had a brief and not very good breakfast, looked around, and then walked slowly through the now-upscale area, to the Alexandra bridge, walked across it to the Museum.
And what a wonderful way to spend our tax dollars. the Museum was intoxicatingly interesting. We went through the First Peoples Gallery, then through the Canada Gallery, and then to the IMAX theatre to watch a film on the raising of orphaned elephants and orang-utans. And by then we were tired, and it was dark, and we went back to the Market to have an early supper at the Vittoria Trattoria, again Italian and again good. Another early bedtime, after more than 12,000 steps.
Sunday was also bright and sunny, but colder. We had decided to go that day to the National Art Gallery, after a leisurely morning spent mostly in our room at the hotel. Darlene had been nice enough to go out for coffees and some food, so we ate in the room before leaving on our trip to the Art Gallery. We toured the older European art, some of the Asian (mostly Indian), and finally the Canadian art. After three hours, we were tired again, and went back to our hotel via the National Art Centre. We had thought that we would get rush tickets to a play there, but the cheapest ones were still almost $40 each, so went back to the room to read and watch TV. Out for supper at the Johnny Farina restaurant, a serious mistake, but at least it was quiet.
Now Monday was a day to remember. Darlene had a surprise up her sleeve. After we walked down towards and along Sparks Street, partly to explore and partly to find out where the CBC offices were, she reneged and told me she had set up for us to visit the studio of the CBC show “Tempo”, which I love, and which is broadcast out of Ottawa with the host Julie Nesrallah. Good thing she had set it up, since I was too shy to just go in and ask. But the producer came out and led us into the studio, and we were able to spend about thirty minutes with Julie and her two co-workers, watching the show going live, and talking about the challenges and rewards of doing the show. It was wonderful meeting them: they are genuinely nice people, working to produce a quality show.
After that, one would have thought the rest of the day would be anti-climactic. But no, it was also very good. This being Monday, many places were closed. But the War Museum was open, so we decided to go there (some comments about war never sleeping...?). It was with some trepidation, since we are both confirmed pacifists. But the show was terrific. It talked about how war has always been a part of the landscape in our country, throughout its history, and contributing to its history. And the effects of war on the peoples of the countries affected by it. With the exception of the WW2 timespan, I found it remarkably balanced in its outlook, and surprising in its representation of the Peace Movements. Moving experience all around. And again, as with the other museums, a much easier time with many fewer “tourists”.
After that, one would have thought the rest of the day would be anti-climactic. But no, it was also very good. This being Monday, many places were closed. But the War Museum was open, so we decided to go there (some comments about war never sleeping...?). It was with some trepidation, since we are both confirmed pacifists. But the show was terrific. It talked about how war has always been a part of the landscape in our country, throughout its history, and contributing to its history. And the effects of war on the peoples of the countries affected by it. With the exception of the WW2 timespan, I found it remarkably balanced in its outlook, and surprising in its representation of the Peace Movements. Moving experience all around. And again, as with the other museums, a much easier time with many fewer “tourists”.
The day had been full, and it was dark,but clear. We wlked back to the hotel, and Darlene kindly went out and got some food for supper to eat in our room, while I slept briefly.
Tuesday was our final day here in Ottawa, and we had a few things we thought we might do. We were “museumed” out, so decided to walk back to the Market, via the Houses of Parliament. We went for a tour of the Parliament Building (too short, but still exciting, especially the Library and the Peace Towers. And we sat in the Public Gallery for about a half hour. (Somewhat to my surprise, there was also a family there from Dundas, who were related to a former patient of mine.) With the weather being cold, but clear again (we were really lucky), we could see a long way from the Tower, getting a good oversight of Ottawa.
When we left the Building, we went to the statue of the five “Women are Persons”, just next to the Parliament, and then went over to a restaurant I had remembered from twenty years previously, called “Santé”. there we had a wonderful and decadent meal, overlooking Rideau Street and the bustling crown, again with relatively few people around us. It was fantastic, and we vowed to come back.
And what can you do after that? well, we went over to the Chateau Laurier, looked around for a while before going into Zoe’s for a drink in High Company. And again, back to our room.
Today, Wednesday, again things have gone well. There was some snow in Ottawa overnight, which made some things a bit more complicated. But we got out to Dunn’s for breakfast, the packed and left the hotel. We went to buy tickets for our bus ride back to the Train station, only to discover that the other day for Seniors to have free transport is Wednesday. So we got the free ride to Via, all of nine minutes worth. And our ticket mess was already cleaned up by Customer Service by the time we got to the station.
So we’re on our way back home, after a serendipitous, restful, and refreshing trip to Ottawa. We’ll do it again.
