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 The
ByWard Market was a
block from the Marriott Courtyard, and on our path to the Canadian
National Art Gallery. We walked around the stalls, and enjoyed the
sights and sounds, bought some souvenirs and noted a restaurant for lunch. |
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As we were buying museum tickets, a strange sound wafted in the air,
slowly approaching which we identified as ... bagpipes! Sure enough,
the ceremonial guards were marching up the street toward parliament
building with police escort and children running alongside.
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  The
National Gallery of Canada
was mildly interesting, although it had a special exhibit of Van
Gogh's Iris paintings on the day of our visit. Jesse and I viewed the
four pictures, usually at different galleries around the world but on
tour due to the Van Gogh museum's remodeling, while Lyn checked out
galleries full of art works, many by Canadian artists. |
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 Directly
behind the museum at Napean park, on a small bluff overlooking the
river and the back of the parliament building, was a large statue
honoring Samuel de Champlain. Prior to the trip, Jesse had read
quite a bit about Champlain's journeys and we were tromping on much
ground originally "discovered" by him (which were, of
course, inhabited by hundred of generations of local tribes). |
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 The
back of the parliament building shows its immense library. We read
later that it had been destroyed, then rebuilt, after a spectacular
fire. The trademark "Peace Tower", built after the end of
World War One, is a carillon, and an observatory deck that we planned
to visit after lunch. |
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After a quick lunch (Indian buffet), another trip around ByWard
market, and more souvenirs, we walked from the hotel back to the
Parliament complex. We passed the Rideau canal (made famous to us in
the Stompin Tom Conners song about "Big Joe Mufferaw"). The
ancient locks are still operated, manually, by a crew of muscular
college age guys. While once a thriving waterway (before the days of
the railroad), it is now mostly limited to pleasure craft.
We toured the parliament
building, walked about the grounds, bought more souvenirs, and
took the elevator ride up the tower. Everywhere we went, we might
delightful people with ready smiles and marvelous dispositions.
(Click here to see the Parliment
WebCam) |
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We bought a book about the Canadian Prime Ministers, and were
surprised to learn that a couple of them were buried in the area.
Having visited all of the gravesites
of American Presidents, I sensed a new photo hobby and we
scheduled to stop by the local ones tomorrow on the way out of town.
We did some shopping and had dinner on the downtown pedestrian mall,
then after dark took a car ride all around town. We crashed in bed exhausted. |
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Original Web Upload December 2000
Last Update: August 5, 2001 |
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Ottawa