con_brio

Am posting this while waiting for DH to return from his business meeting so we can go to lunch and the Civilization Museum. We arrived Wed afternoon and just explored the Byward Market. In the cold rain. Canadians think this is Fall-- feels like winter to me. Had an okay mussel dinner at the market.
Yesterday I met my friend in the Market. After coffee we walked over to the Laurier Hotel which was spectacular and then to Parliament which was even more spectacular. We only had to wait 5-10 minutes for the tour. Our guide was personable, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. We went up to the Tower which I loved afterward. I'm so glad that this was one of my first sights since it gave me a better feel for where else I'd be touring than the map. Ottawa is really quite a beautiful city.

When we returned to the main hall of Parliament just in time to see the Speaker's Parade which reminded me that I was in a foreign country as we have nothing resembling that pagentry in DC.

We went to a charming cafe, the Longe in a pedestrian mall. We were having a very nice lunch and a good visit when my friend pointed out the donkey being led down the mall. (!!!)
Later on we ran across the Movember Movement who were using the donkey in their march.

We looked in two Canadian arts and crafts stores for a long while. In the last one we each bought beautiful decorative hand blown glass pieces ( getting mine home safely will be an interesting challenge). The good news is that the already remarkably low prices were slashed in half on sale. The bad news is that they were hand blown in Iran -- so much for Canadian crafts.

We had a wonderful dinner with colleagues in the Byward Market ( this seems to be a pattern) at a very nice restaurant -- I'll include the name in my next post.

Daniel_Williams

Con_brio,

Glad you're enjoying Ottawa; even though I live in close-by Montreal, I actually haven't been in over 10 years! I enjoyed your comments, particularly regarding the pageantry, the spectacular Parliament, the beauty of Ottawa and the differences in perceptions of what "fall" means. Believe me, if you were here in winter, you too would call the present weather fall-like.

For me also, the tours of Parliament I've been on have been informative, entertaining and the guides personable.

Anyhow, seems like you're having fun and reminds me I'm due for a return visit! Best wishes--DANIEL

con_brio

Thanks, Daniel. Our son went to McGill so I am familiar with and love Montreal ( though never visited him in the winter-- late November was cold enough, thank you! We continue to enjoy your beautiful Capital city. We had lunch at e Byward Market and then walked across the bridge to the Civilization Museum. They claim the Canada Hall can be seen in 60 minutes. We had to rush to finish in 2 hours. We are going back there and to the War Museum today before we leave town.

The restauamt that I couldn't remember was Domas, but my favorite meal here was dinner at my friend's house last night.

It looks like a sunny day outside so we need to get started.
Ellen

Morningglory47

Did you enjoy the War Museum?

con_brio

We finally got to the War Museum after hours more back at Civilization (including the IMAX film about the Hubble which was terrific--I have dreamed of what I thought was heaven and it was truly the photos from Hubble on my acupuncturist's calendar). What was most interesting was the perspective thing. I am not used to the other side being referred to as "Loyalists" instead of Redcoats or Tories. Very interesting. The volunteers were so kind. One pointed out that the cannonballs I was looking at were the "bombs bursting in air" that Fancis Scott Key referred to in our national anthem.

And another led me out to the exit to the washroom (see, I speak Canadian) and waited for me outside so that he could lead me back to my DH.

Have I mentioned how much I like Canadians?

I got weary of war by the end of WWI so we rushed through WWII and skipped the Cold War Eras (and post)--we lived through those.

Unfortunately the Fireman were doing a toys for tots parade thing at 5 starting at the museum. At first it seemed like a magic moment-- children in costume, full moon, clowns, firemen. We called for a taxi about 4:00--not knowing that the roads would be closed. We ended up walking (at 4:45)to a Travel Lodge just to call a cab again. 30 minutes later we ended up flagging one down. It took FOREVER to get to the novotel (where we'd stored our luggage)because most of the cross streets downtown were closed because of the parade. The cab driver was great. He waited for us at our hotel where we quickly picked up pur luggage. Then he took back streets and drove like a bat out of h*ll to get us to the airport in time for our plane.

We made it with 5-10 minutes to spare. Whew.

So, the answer is yes, I enjoyed the War Museum, though not as much as Civilization. Civ was spectacular. I have a friend who was a curator here who asked about it. I told her it would have been a great museum even if it was empty. It was an incredible building on a spectacular site. But it is not empty, it has a truly spectacular collection. I'm just sorry that we didn't have even more time.

So, I guess that ends our adventures in Ottawa. I had a wonderful time--if only it weren't so COLD!!!!

Daniel_Williams

Hi con_brio,

Enjoyed your report to the end. It's rare that questions get asked about our fair capital city on Fodor's Forums, let alone a trip report, so yours is a valuable addition to the Fodor's dialogue.

I think a Montreal (or Ottawa) winter truly does have its pleasures (snowshoeing, ice skating outdoors, cross-country skiing... and with some beautiful urban backdrops while doing so), so don't write off the winter altogether. That said, my Washington DC relatives (including parents) tell me they'll only visit May-September, so you've visited later than they have!

Glad you had a wonderful time! DANIEL

con_brio

oh, your folks could come in October...
It is a beuatiful city and I'm glad I went --my DH has been there on business every Nov for a few years and encouraged this trip. He loves it.