SnowshoeGardens: Day 41: Ottawa

Dear Gilles,

We're staying at the Inn - a 1 km walk from almost everywhere we need to be. We woke up and enjoyed the complimentary breakfast which had all the niceties.

Then we headed over to where the Senate is currently housed. It's the Government Convention Centre, which originally was a train station built in 1912. The outside blends in with all the stone and greyness of the area. The inside is very ornate in the stonework of the time.

Each tour requires a security check point and we were there in plenty of time.

Parliament Tours

Three weeks ago, I tried to book both the Senate and the House of Commons tours back-to-back. But for some reason - the website kept cancelling and kicking me out from booking the House of Commons tour. But since we had arrived early for the Senate - the guides suggested we go to the "Hut" and ask for walk up tour tickets. We secured 4 spots for the 11:40 am tour of the House of Commons.

Now we've had ALL the levels of Ontario government and I think we're politically processed out. It does help that the news is currently filled with election talk and the boys are old enough to absorb some the talks, issues and see the process happen in real life.

In front of the War Memorial, we observed a live bagpipe march.

Centre Block - including the Peace Tower is under construction until 2032. Hence the change in chambers for the Senate and the House of Commons. It will be interesting to come back in 10 years to see the renovations. Geothermal systems are going in for heating, with the thought that there will be a surplus of energy available.

The temporary House of Commons was built in an outside courtyard and retrofitted with a roof.

After the guided tours, we headed over to the Mint to see if we could gain a spot on a tour (we have a booked spot for tomorrow). Unfortunately they were full.

Mom was interested in touring the National Gallery of Canada. A place I would never have visited on my own accord. I was pleasantly impressed and enjoyed the time there.

National Gallery of Canada

We also saw our 'big thing' - spider with eggs - Maman.

Maman

This is a miniature of the artist's mother-in-law. It was staged in a way that as you rounded a corner, you were hit with this sight.

The original from our main room. The boys asked if we would put it up again since we've painted. But I'm still looking for something new for our walls.