My American friends in Canada

"The Americans":

Elisa & Nickie

visit Ottawa (Canada's Capital)

February 16 - 19, 2018

Elisa, Nickie & I first met here in Moscow as diplomats. Elisa & I taught English classes together to other attaché spouses.

When Elisa learned I was going to be in Ottawa she asked if she & Nickie could come visit me to which I, of course, said "YES"!

They arrived around lunchtime on Friday and I immediately brought them downtown on Elgin Street where we had poutine for lunch! Apparently Elgin Street is going to close soon for an overhaul. Elisa, being a vegetarian, assumed the gravy was a beef gravy... it took me a while to realize she was picking at the fries (avoiding the gravy), so I asked the waiter who told us it was mushroom based, so she went hog wild after that! 🐷

Afterwards we tried getting into Parliament Hill for the tour, but it was all sold out for the day because it was a holiday weekend.

Parliament Hill Peace Tower with the "peace crane" for Tristan's school project beside the statue of Terry Fox (the Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist). In 1980, with only one leg, Terry Fox ran an epic journey across Canada (called the Marathon of Hope) to raise awareness and money for cancer research. Sadly, his run was cut short as his cancer had spread to his lungs, but he still managed 5373 km's in 143 days. His legacy of this journey continues on in the annual Terry Fox Run which involves millions of participants in over 60 countries. 

Back home enjoying their first "Caesar" drink (similar to the US "bloody Mary")

Dad wanted in on the photo action!

It was actually the first time I had ever made or drank a Caesar also!

The 3 amigos skating on the world's longest naturally frozen skating rink - the Rideau Canal. It was very busy as the canal had been closed until that morning and it was the long weekend, so getting skates took a while. Unfortunately for Elisa and Nickie, there were no figure skates left in their size, so they had to use hockey skates... a 1st for both of them. Nickie wasn't too steady on them, so Elisa & I skated up to the 3.2 km marker and returned. Apparently we passed right by her on the way back and didn't even know it. My niece and nephew were also on the canal that day, but we never saw them.

After lunch @ "Play Food & Wine" (try this restaurant! Not large portions, but some very tasty food) I had them try the traditional #1 Beavertail - cinnamon & sugar.

The classic tourist photo! Sadly, I first tried to read this sign from behind / in reverse and said "what's that spell"? Oops! 😲

Lieutenant-Colonel John By statue... he was an English military engineer best remembered for supervising the construction of the Rideau Canal also founded the Bytown in the process.

It was a little chilly out, but could have been much worse. We were prepared for the cold.

Saturday we were able to obtain the Parliament Tour after our skate on the canal. We had planned to do the tour first and then skate, but the tour time dictated that we would skate first and tour parliament afterwards. The Centre Block constructed in Gothic Revival style was destroyed by fire in 1916, but the library survived. The entire Centre Block will be closing later this year for a major, 10-year renovation...so glad we were able to see it when we did!

Our tour was of the Centre Block, which is the main building of the Canadian Parliamentary complex on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. This block contains the House of Commons, The Senate and the Monarch and other offices, halls, etc. 

This is the House of Commons (established in 1867 it is a democratically elected body - members are known as Members of Parliament (MP's) - there are 338). Seats in the House of Commons are distributed roughly in proportion to the population of each province and territory.

This is the beautiful library that was saved in the fire because someone thought to close the big steel doors in time.

This is the Senate of Canada (located in the East wing of the centre block, has 105 members appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister): it is another component of the Parliament of Canada as well as the House of Commons and the Monarch (represented by the Governor General). Along with the House of Commons, the Senate plays an important role in the operation of Canada's government. Any piece of government legislation must be approved by all for it to become official law.

Confederation Hall

Views over the Ottawa River towards Quebec from up high in the Peace Tower

The ice rink erected on Parliament Hill for Canada's 150th at a cost of $5.6 million (ouch)!

You can see all the people on the canal? We were very lucky to get on the canal during their visit as it was only open on Saturday and closed the other days. Good planning on my part! lol

The Peace Tower was built to stand as a landmark and also to function as a memorial to Canadians who lost their lives in WW1. Below the Peace Tower is the Memorial Chamber with stained glass windows and books of remembrance. Originally all the names in these books were to be carved into the walls, but there wasn't enough room for the 66,000 names. Brass plates within the chamber are made from spent shell casings found on battlefields and inlaid on the floor.

One of the books of remembrance

Nickie looking at the book of remembrance

Sunday morning we went for a lovely walk on the path behind our house. I love this cute little covered bridge

Our attempt at snow angels, but the snow was just not cooperating.

After our leisurely morning

Sunday we went to Le Nordik spa in Chelsea, Quebec for massages and the thermal baths outside. There were no cell phones allowed in there, so no pictures unfortunately. It was a lovely afternoon spent being zen despite the hundreds of people there.

Poutine

beaver tails

 Caesar drinks

 bacon

 skating on canal

 Parliament Hill tour

 forest walk

Le Nordik spa...

 what a fantastic weekend ladies! Thank you so much for visiting, I really had a great time with you!