Ottawa to MontrealSep 28, 2004
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For most of the day we went around Ottawa and then later we drove to Montreal. In Ottawa I decided to first visit the parliament of Canada that is located here. This was odd in that they let anyone just wander right around the outside of the buildings unchecked - including a protest that was going on, while when on a guided tour that lasts half an hour you had to wait for 45 minutes in line to get security checked to go inside - this includes having cameras and phones turned on and off and much x-raying. Still the tour was quite good - but maybe that's because of my lawyerness.
I then went to have a look at the Supreme Court of Canada which was unimpressive on the inside - built to represent the 'dignity and sobriety of the work that goes on there' - nice...
The afternoon was taken up by wandering around the shopping area and the market which was selling lots of odd stuff. Ottawa is right on the border of French speaking Quebec and so it was very mediterranean in places.
At 3 we then set off and drove to Montreal. On the way we had the usually spiel about the place, but the French here are just as huffy as at home. They lost a battle with the English in about the 18th century and have been bitter ever since. The provincial motto is "I remember" - now that's holding a grudge.
The hostel for tonight is nice, and again we have a room with just four of us, so lucky again there.
Tomorrow is jet boating and baseball - which should be fun.
