Ottawa

Ottawa is in Ontario, but doesn’t look as big as Toronto. Toronto is the capital of the Province, but Ottawa is the Capital of Canada.

Summary of time:
• Stopped in Jail for 6 nights (only 4 nights in a cell)
• Visited the Parliament, Supreme Courts, Governor General and the British High Commissioner
• Visited the Museum of Civilisation in Quebec Province
• Walked for Miles
• Went on an Amphibus
• Ate Beavers tail

Handy Hints –
 If visiting any government or legal buildings you will have your bags searched / scanned. So no scissors otherwise they will be taken, but you collect them as you exit
 If visiting Museum’s, you will not be allowed to carry a rucksack – you put it in the cloakroom, usually for free.
 Visit Ottawa the first weekend in June – it is Open Doors. Many Government, Embassy’s and Other Buildings not usually open to the public are open, as well as some you can visit, check the times for them being free.

The City has some buildings that have been there for many years, but also some look as though they have been around for centuries, but were only built in the 1910’s. They are built as steel structures and then facades are built around them. In the 1920’s a Paris City planner was employed to beautify Ottawa, and now the city is dotted with many parks, and the land along the waterways is for recreational use. So there are plenty of places to walk, jog, run, cycle or just to relax in. The cycleway is 170km in Ottawa and along the Ottawa river.

Enough of the Info...what was i up to?

The train journey from Toronto to Ottawa was great, a relaxed affair. You could almost imagine the queuing at the Train station as waiting to get on the plan. Many staff to help check you on and make sure you were in the correct carriage. The space on the train was great, even in Comfort (Economy) class. Big seats, 2 either side of the gangway that was so wide. Also there was a socket at every seat for you to plug your laptop in, and a service trolley (although you had to pay for anything you had). But it was Comfort. It was a more expensive way to travel than the bus, but it was easy. I took the easy option from the station and got a taxi...it was rush hour and i was up for a lot of searching by myself, easier door to door!
I had arrived in Jail! The Ottawa County Goal, which was a prison from 1862 to 1972, has been transformed into a hostel, not long after the jail closed. The top floor has been kept in the style of the prison with cells for 1 person or for 3 people. Also on the top floor is death row, and the working gallows are situated down the back stairs. Officially the gallows could still be used, but they will not. In the history of the prison only 3 people were ever on Death Row and hung. Of which 1 is supposed to haunt the jail.
Today 2 3 person cells are now joined to make it a 6 bed dorm (bunk bed), which is where i slept...Cell 4-2 (level 4 cell 2 – original cells no 5 and 6) There are only dorms on floors 4 and 6 in the jail. Floors 5 & 7 were “The Mansion” original guards quarters and office, are used for staff or family rooms. Floor 9, original the hospital wing and then the women’s wing (unless the women could get someone to look after their children, they came to prison as well), is also family rooms or 8 bed dorms. Floor 3 is reception. Floor 2 originally..Chapel, Entry Process (they came straight from the court via the underground tunnel) are now the kitchens, laundry, dining area and lounge.
Each floor has ladies/men toilets, but floor 4 and floor 7 have the ladies showers, men are or Floor 6 and 5.
The corridors were really dark and not much light got into the rooms, as the doors had a metal sheet covering the 1 side of the original bars, to give some privacy. We were given the keys for our rooms!!!
My first night i took the Crime and Punishment tour so that i could see where i was staying.
I then went for a wander to grab a quick bite to eat.
The next day the weather was looking a little better so i took the opportunity of going on the free walking tour so that i could get my bearings better. Advice is to make sure you have good footwear, as it is much easier to walk everywhere.
We went into the Hotel Laurier (4 star hotel next to Parliament Hill – and looks like a French Chateau (facade)), and we missed Elton John who had stayed there the night before as he had been performing in Ottawa. It did seem odd to be in “scruffs” walking around the posh ground floor, but then some of the guests at reception did not look much better dressed. From there we walked around the grounds of the Parliament building, visiting the Cat Sanctuary (set up as cats were needed to keep the mice away from Parliament buildings, and they are funded by donations), which was reasonable accommodation for the cats (and black squirrels!), the whispering wall, before moving onto Byward Market. I was starting to get my bearings. I had lunch in the market, fresh bagels, and then off for a walk, through the Major’s park, up to Nepean Point to get great view of Gatineau and the Parliament buildings, before heading down to the Rideau Canal locks and to walk along the water’s edge of Ottawa River. This was taken at a leisurely pace to the Portage Bridge, before walking back to the hostel past all the government buildings. Dinner out again, but this time at the Highland Pub and a great half pint of Hobgoblin!
Breakfast was easy at the hostel, cereal, yoghurt, toast, waffles, and drinks. There is no rush to get up but when sharing with others, we all seem to get up around 8/9. So it was off to see Parliament (Free). Unfortunately it was a through security check and i had forgotten that i had my cross sitch in my bag House of Commons were already in session, and the Senate House were due to start, so we did not get in there, but we were able to see the Parliamentary Library, it was amazing. It was the only bit of the Centre block that was not destroyed in the fire of 1916. The guard had enough time to close the fire door and prevent the fire spreading. At the end of the tour i went up the peace tower, and passed the bells which are played on an organ. At midday, they not only strike the hour, but an organist plays the national anthem and then any tune that they fancy! As the Commons and Senate were in session, you were able to go into the Public Gallery to watch, but i decided i didn’t fancy getting bored by it. So leaving Parliament Hill i decided to head for one of the Tour Buses, and found i was able to go on the amphibus. You will have seen something like this in London or some of the other cities of the world. I took the opportunity, after lunch. It was interesting being driven around in the bus/boat, and were taken along the confederation route, which was passed all the foreign Embassy’s and down as far as the Governor General’s Residency and the Prime Minister’s house, before heading back, crossing the river to Gatineau and into the river. They took us on a short tour to see the Parliament buildings from the river, passed Rideau Canal Locks, and then back into Gatineau. Passing by the Museum of Civilisation, across the Portage Bridge and up to Parliament Hill and back to the start. It was certainly interesting, and you pick up all sorts of odd facts. As lunch had been late and large, it was a small quiet snack for dinner.
Friday, i decided i would visit the Museum of Civilisation, it was a 20 minute walk through Majors Park and across Alexandra Bridge (original the bridge for the trains). The museum is of interesting architecture, and built with the culture and beliefs of the aboriginal or first people in mind. The building is all curves, no corners for bad spirits to linger, and the roofs look like upside down canoes. There is an amazing abundance of things there, so it was to be an all day affair. I visited the Dragons and Myths Section (a temporary exhibit) before going to the Postal Exhibition, and homes of the Aboriginal or First People. Followed the First People Exhibition, which showed items, clothing, facts, stories from all the various tribes of people that were here before the Europeans came, includes things from their descendants. From here to another Temporary exhibit of the Egyptian mummy!
After lunch it was off to the Children’s Exhibition...this is better with kids, as it is designed for PLAY. But play for all ages, imagine yourself in different countries, or playing on a pirate ship, or in a tent, or post office, or or or.....I wasn’t in the mood for play as on my own, so went off for the History of Canada Tour. This was a tour through a boat, a whaling community, a small town...well several at different times, an oil field, fishing community. The idea is not only to understand the history of Canada, but also the different communities both then and now. Finally i wandered off to meet famous people or influential people of Canada. Part way round, there was a power failure, and we all had to gather in the Grand Hall (main area). No one was sure what was happening. After a while, i collected my bag, and decided to leave...then the power returned, but as there was only a short area i had missed, i continued to leave.
As it was a great afternoon, i decided it was great to take the long route back to the hostel, along the path by the River, over the Portage Bridge, and along the other side of the River.
My evenings are easy, after food it is time to catch up on emails, and read a book before bed around 9/10. It is surprising, and i often forget the time difference, that i occasionally find someone on facebook to talk to! One evening for a new experience, i thought i’d try the Beavers Tail that i’d seen...some places it is also Moose Tongue. Well it was delicious, there are various toppings mainly sweet, i went for the standard cinnamon and sugar, with apple...i did contemplate the garlic butter and cheese. What is it you ask? Well it’s basically a long oblong shaped doughnut type thing. Delicious and well worth the C$4.50 about £2.50!
Saturday was significant, as it was the day i had to pack my bags as i was moving out of the cell, but also the Open Doors. After checking what was open when, i decided that i would visit the British High Commissioner’s Residence (only open sat), which was a 15 minute walk along Sussex Drive (many embassy’s are here). Leaving rucksacks at the gate, it was in to see the Residence. The High Commissioner (Mr Anthony Joyce Cary) and his wife were welcoming everyone (shaking hands) to their home/residence – not sure if they did it all day – and we were able to see a few of the rooms, as well as learn some of the history. Unfortunately no pictures allowed. As i was some way down Sussex Drive, i decided to carry on down over Rideau River (saw the falls from which the river was named – Rideau is French for curtains, and apparently that’s what the falls first looked like), and onto Rideau Hall – the Residence of the Governor General. The tour (which happens on a regular basis) is of the 4 Public Rooms – the Tent Room (decorated to look like the inside of a posh tent – used to be the tennis court, which had temporary tent coverings so functions could be held in the room), the Waiting Room (used to have pool table, so ministers waiting had something to do), the Entrance Hall, and the Ballroom (used for presentation of Honours, meeting Visiting Dignitaries, commissioning of Canadian High Commissioners, etc... The grounds are huge and you are able to walk around them. The building has been added to over the years, but a lot of the changes in the last 100 years have been to make the building symmetrical / aesthetically pleasing.
It was then a long walk back (30/40 mins), which i took as a stroll, and stopped off at the Basilica Notre Dame (there seems to be several in Canada) and to the park for a break, but i also wanted to get back and settle into my new room. It turned out to be in the Mansion part of the Jail – guards quarters / office – and is now a family room. There were 2 bunk beds and one had a double bed at the bottom – guess who got that one !!! Yes!!!
The reason for the move was because of a school group and scout group were booked into the cells. I didn’t mind moving as got better room (and bed – no squeak)! One of my fellow cell mates – Caroline from Brazil also joined me.
Sunday started off looking good, although the forecast was to be overcast. Caroline and i went off to visit the East Block of Parliament Hill, where 4 of the rooms have been restored and furnished as they would have been (or as close as they could get) to 1872, the early years of Confederation. Some rooms are still used by members of the Senate. After which we separated
I wandered off to see the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Conference Centre.
The Conference Centre is for Governmental Meetings. It was originally built in 1912 as Ottawa’s Railway Station. It is one of the buildings that looks all old style, including domes internally, which is a facade...but it still looks good. The station was closed in the 1960’s and was to be demolished. But in 1967 the Centenary Celebrations were due to happen and some buildings were not ready and they needed Public Facilities, so the station was saved. Since then it has been used for some important meetings – discussion re the unification of East and West Germany (part of the Berlin Wall was given as a momento), G20 conference in 2001 (20 finance ministers from around the world). The main hall was set up for a G8 summit, but also there was a model railway (men and their toys).
I decided to wander on down to see a Drill Hall, still in use, but unfortunately they were just about to have a passing out parade for the sea cadets. So off to the park, as i was tired of walking and seeing buildings.
As i was passing the Hotel Laurier, i noticed that the locks were being worked. There are 8 locks, and a boat was waiting to go down. So i decided to stop and watch the 4 Lock Staff who operate the locks as they would have done when the lock was built in 1832. Amazing to watch, from above. As they were at the last lock and the boat was leaving, one of the lock staff went back to the top lock, to start to control the filling up of the locks, when he found there was another boat to go down. The process is about 45 mins from top to boat to put the boat through, but there is also another 45 mins to get the locks prepped before going down, and refilled afterwards!!!!
Having seen one boat from above, i wandered down to see the next do the last 4 locks at the level. Fascinating. Then i had enough and returned to the hostel.
Sometimes eating out in a restaurant on your own is hard, no one to talk to..this night i fell into conversation with some people on another table, and 1 joined me for a drink and to compare stories of female travelling on their own, as well as places visited in the UK.
Then my time in Ottawa was done. Monday was off for the next train trip to Montreal. Before leaving Caroline and i went for a final stroll to the Majors Park!