Farnsniente

A big sign with colorful letters that says Ottawa

Onward to Ottawa

—

in
📍 Ottawa, Canada

Photos

Trip index

Summary

Flew from Calgary to Ottawa, losing two hours due to time zone changes. Checked in to our hotel in a very fun, bustling area around the Byward Market. We had a very marginal dinner at the rooftop restaurant at our hotel then set off exploring our surrounding area. Very shortly we heard from Austin friends Gregg and Melody that they had arrived so we met up with them to continuing exploring. We headed up several sets of stairs thinking we were going towards Parliament Hill. Happily, it turned out we stumbled upon a prime viewing area for the fireworks display that was about to begin. It was Canada’s night in a multi-night competition among several countries.

Details

First day of the month, Rabbit, Rabbit. We’re up early and just put back on the clothes we wore yesterday. We pack and drag our luggage to the lounge. They hang on to it while we eat breakfast. At the appointed hour we head out to the curb for the taxi to the airport we arranged via the hotel last night. There’s a taxi queue and our taxi is of course not in the queue so there’s confusion and bad feelings. In the end we realize we should have just Uber’ed to the airport. It would have been a bit cheaper and a better experience. 

At the airport we go through security and wait for our flight. I don’t realize how far it is from Calgary (where we are) to Ottawa (where we’re going). We’re going from Mountain time to Eastern time. We’re skipping an entire time zone. It’s a long flight. 

In Ottawa we reclaim our luggage and arrange an Uber to take us to our hotel. Our driver is from Angola. He’s a hoot and we end to chatting the whole way. We drop our bags in our room and head up to the top floor for dinner. It’s billed as the highest longe in the city, on the 16th floor. They would love to seat us outside, but it’s starting to sprinkle and is supposed to rain for the next couple of days, so we sit inside. We order three things from the menu. As we go through them… one by one… we realize they’re zero for three on the items. Oh, well, maybe next time. 

We settle our check and head out of the hotel into the night. It is threatening, but cool, albeit humid. We are amazed by the number of restaurants around where we’re located. It’s Saturday and there are so many people milling about, going from here to there. We walk and window shop. We give special attention to an Eastern European deli and grocery. So many unique things we’ve not seen before. 

At one point we hear from Gregg and Melody, friends from Austin with whom we’ll be traveling for the next little while. They just flew in from Austin (by way of Toronto) and will be at the hotel soon. We hook up with them and do more wandering. Karen knows in what direction to go for Parliament Hill so we head that way. We’re not alone, strangely, there are lots of people headed that way and in fact, as we get close to the river, we find lots of people standing around or sitting on the grass. Heading over to the edge of the fence overlooking the water, we see a short burst of fire works and then see the big “island” set up in the middle of the water that is obviously a platform for a big firework’s show. We ask ChatGPT and it’s confirmed that there’s a big show here, tonight, in a few minutes. 

The show starts late but is pretty good. It’s supposedly a competition and they’re synchronizing the show with some music but we can’t hear it. In the end it’s a great show and we feel lucky that we stumbled into it. After the final volley we head back to the hotel for bed. Big day tomorrow, so we may as well get some sleep. 

Photos

Lots of construction going on in Calgary. It’s a booming oil town.
Another good breakfast buffet. We may be getting spoiled.
If you’d asked me to pick out, on a blank map of North America, where Calgary and Ottawa are, I’m sure I would have put Calgary too far east and Ottawa too far west. I’m a bit shocked as to how much of central Canada we’re flying over (missing). We’re going from Mountain Time to Eastern Time.
In Ottawa, the view from our room. Construction. Another boom town. So many immigrants, such a melting pot.
On the top floor of our hotel for dinner. It would have been nice if it’d had been better, but we’ve had lots of other good meals and it was fairly healthy.
The view from the bar/restaurant. Lots of cars visible but also lots of business for the tourists.
At a big, overstocked Eastern European deli. So many interesting products. Super Extra Hot Mustard. Should we have bought a jar (or two)? Made in Poland. Labeled in English and French. Interesting.
Byward Market. It’s a thing. It gave its name to the area where we’re staying.
Lots of food choices, including poutine, of course.
Every city needs an InstaGram-ready sign promoting the it. Each of the individual letters is the same backwards and forwards. So on the back, though not as colorful, it says “AWATTO”. Some sort of code??
Good friends and fellow retirees Melody and Gregg from Austin. Flew in to meet us for travel fun. Their plane from Austin to Toronto had another friend couple of theirs from Austin, also retirees. We’re taking over I guess.
Something interesting we walked past. It’s didn’t make sense at the time but will tomorrow.
The water below Parliament hill, where we’re headed. We didn’t consult a map, but Karen had an idea that it’s “over in that direction” (imagine her waving her hand in a certain direction). There’s water between us and Parliament Hill (the Ottawa River) so we’re not getting there, but more importantly, what’s with all these people around us??
Parliament. All wrapped up. Maybe as if a big present, just waiting for the big bow? For someone? A surprise 51st state, perhaps? (Sorry Puerto Rico).
And then feu d’artifice (fire works). Apparently they are having fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday for a few weeks. It’s an international competition and is (supposedly) it’s timed with some music that we can’t hear. Today’s entrant in the competition? Canada. Who knew? (Spoiler alert: us).