This review is my 1,300th! It is fitting that I write about our nation's capital, as I am in the…read morehomestretch of writing my Ottawa reviews from my vacation earlier this month.
Years ago, after graduating from university and joining the workforce, I wanted to visit Ottawa. My trips to Ottawa since then have always shaped my interests and the person that I have become in surprising, subtle ways.
I flew into the city on my own the first time, in November 1996. I stayed at the Howard Johnson on Slater Street, which was affordable and is no longer there. I realized during that trip that I enjoy travelling and am good doing it on my own.
I had a single credit card back then. I wanted to see what concerts were on while I was there. Jann Arden was playing at the National Arts Centre. I called the phone number listed in a magazine at the hotel and bought a ticket. I had to pick it up at a Ticketmaster a few blocks away, also on Slater Street. There was snow on the ground and it was a bit nippy, but I was pleased to fetch my ticket.
I loved the acoustics at the National Arts Centre. I had a seat at the very back. I saw Jann Arden for the first time and was blown away by her voice, her live connection with the audience, and her humour. I have not stopped seeing her in concert since.
Opening that night was Melanie Doane. She played the mandolin, violin, guitar, and has an amazing set of pipes. I became an instant fan and have since seen her in concert a number of times.
My first cell phone? It was that fine ClearNet phone (pre-Telus days) that had a green monochrome screen. I got it at a Grand & Toy in downtown Ottawa for $99 before taxes. I asked the guy if I could get a Toronto number. He said yes. It has been my number ever since.
I got an impromptu haircut at a salon while walking around downtown. I just walked in and said I wanted a haircut. I have been like that for ages, often getting my hair cut while on vacation in whatever city that I am visiting.
This city has good eats. I said it recently at a Yelp event and folks felt like I was out of my mind. It was almost as if they felt that they had to be in larger Canadian cities to get good eats. No, people! You are similar to Winnipeggers in that you don't give yourself credit here. You do. Trust me!
You have The Brig, where I have had the most creative, flavourful pub food in my life. There's Hangout, which offers six different varieties of coconut jelly. I have yet to see a similar offering in the GTA. My love for Montreal-style bagels at Kettleman's Bagel never waivers. I have to bring back at least a dozen home, as the ones around me do not compare.
There's a lot to do in Ottawa as a tourist. This city offers a ton of museums. My goal every time I visit Ottawa is to drop by a museum. I have spent hours at the National Gallery of Canada and the Royal Canadian Mint. I come out of them happy, inspired, and empowered with knowledge.
The shopping is definitely better. In the past, when I stayed downtown, I liked shopping at Zellers when it used to be on Sparks Street. I avoided Rideau Centre like the plague. Since then, Rideau Centre has been revamped with more exciting stores. Tanger Outlets gets better each time I visit it. I got to shop more in The Glebe and the Trainyards, which I enjoyed.
I could talk about Ottawa a lot more, but I'll end on Canada Day celebrations. I was on vacation and dropped by Parliament Hill earlier this month. As the nation's capital, it is expected that a higher standard is placed for its bash.
I have celebrated Canada Day over the years in various parts of Canada. Ottawa does it well. From the French and English bands and singers on stage, to airplanes flying over all of us, it was a memorable, highly organized celebration. No matter where I walked that day, Canadian pride was oozing out of everyone. We were all decked out in red and white, unified as Canadians and happy to be Canadian.
Although there are some impatient drivers that I came across during my recent visit, Ottawa is a tourist-friendly place to visit. I felt at home and can't wait to revisit the city.
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