For the last three years we have had travel to Baltimore Maryland to connect with our grandchildren. From Penticton, the trip required three flights and 14 hours of travel time, getting up at 4:30 am PST and arriving to arrive 6pm EST. With their return to Ottawa we were looking forward to reducing our number of flights to two and travel time to 8 hours.
When we went to book our flights to Ottawa, we discovered that of 5 available flights from Penticton, only one would get us into Ottawa in two flights and 9 hours and it was fully booked. All other options were three flight minimums that got us into Ottawa after midnight and 12 hours of travel time. WTF! Our dreams were dashed.
But the upside, we had day to spend in Ottawa. Rather than make our son pick us up at that ungodly hour, we ubered into Ottawa and booked into a hotel a block away from his office where he could pick us up the next day after work.
It has been a decade or more since we last visited downtown but the parliament building hadn't changed much. The clock is still keeping time and the construction is on going. Given the age of the Parliament building, constant repairs and renovations are inevitable.
The elections are over and it is a Liberal minority goverment that will be hosting the 43rd session of parliament beginning December 5th assuming Justin can get few parties on board to vote with him. We had booked tours into the Senate and Parliament.
The Senate (the Red Room) is being used for the Speech from the Throne so they had to remove all the furniture to be able to fit in all the politicians and media. We caught this action shot of the maintenance guy vacuming the carpet in preparation for the big event.
Parliament (the Green Room) was all buffed up and ready for the what we hope will be a partisan parliament where all the parties can get togther and MACA. (Make Canada Great Again). Silly dream really.
With a major 10 year renovation happening in the Centre Block, the parliament has been relocated to the West Block atrium, The atrium was once open air but has had a glass roof installed over it to keep the politicians dry.
Nonie took some time to enjoy a chat with Nelly McLung, one of the Famous Five. In 1929, five women went to court and won the "Persons Case" that ruled that women are people under the law and made them eligible for appointment to the Senate in Canada. One more step in women's suffrage.
The scupltures have been relocated temporarily while the Senate is under construction.
We had one last stop before we were to meet up with our son. It has become a tradition for us, everytime we get to downtown Ottawa. A visit to the Beaver Tails kiosk in the Byward market and schlepp down a decadent beavertail.
A big greasy hunk of dough smothered in butter, sugar and cinnamon.
Only in Canada, eh!
When we went to book our flights to Ottawa, we discovered that of 5 available flights from Penticton, only one would get us into Ottawa in two flights and 9 hours and it was fully booked. All other options were three flight minimums that got us into Ottawa after midnight and 12 hours of travel time. WTF! Our dreams were dashed.
But the upside, we had day to spend in Ottawa. Rather than make our son pick us up at that ungodly hour, we ubered into Ottawa and booked into a hotel a block away from his office where he could pick us up the next day after work.
It has been a decade or more since we last visited downtown but the parliament building hadn't changed much. The clock is still keeping time and the construction is on going. Given the age of the Parliament building, constant repairs and renovations are inevitable.
The Senate (the Red Room) is being used for the Speech from the Throne so they had to remove all the furniture to be able to fit in all the politicians and media. We caught this action shot of the maintenance guy vacuming the carpet in preparation for the big event.
Parliament (the Green Room) was all buffed up and ready for the what we hope will be a partisan parliament where all the parties can get togther and MACA. (Make Canada Great Again). Silly dream really.
With a major 10 year renovation happening in the Centre Block, the parliament has been relocated to the West Block atrium, The atrium was once open air but has had a glass roof installed over it to keep the politicians dry.
Nonie took some time to enjoy a chat with Nelly McLung, one of the Famous Five. In 1929, five women went to court and won the "Persons Case" that ruled that women are people under the law and made them eligible for appointment to the Senate in Canada. One more step in women's suffrage.
The scupltures have been relocated temporarily while the Senate is under construction.
We had one last stop before we were to meet up with our son. It has become a tradition for us, everytime we get to downtown Ottawa. A visit to the Beaver Tails kiosk in the Byward market and schlepp down a decadent beavertail.
A big greasy hunk of dough smothered in butter, sugar and cinnamon.
Only in Canada, eh!
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