Tourists in Ottawa

Today's fashion statement for tourists -- mask, sunglasses, hat and camera around the neck

    We live in Aylmer, Quebec, so close to Ottawa, Ontario. It is a short 5 to 10 minute drive, depending on the traffic to get to the Champlain Bridge and over we go to Ottawa. While we are so close, we thought that we would explore Ottawa as well as Quebec. The only thing holding us back in some of the activities there are the restrictions due to the pandemic but we will do our best to take advantage of what is available.

 

    In the beginning of August, we took on the role of tourists in Ottawa and what better way to see the overview of a city than taking a bus tour of the city? The tour was on a double-decker bus and we fortunately got the first row seat on the top deck. The tour guide was very informative and had a great sense of humour. So away we went, with masks on and distancing ourselves with the other few passengers.

    Here is what we saw:

Ottawa is another old City which has an abundance of architectural treasures.

Above is one of the two lions that stand guard outside of the Post Office.

Below is the entrance to the Post Office.

A view of the Peace tower at the Parliament buildings

Modern architecture: The windows of the War Museum building fin point to the Peace Tower at the Canadian Parliament building and on the side is a series of windows with a message in morse code. 

To see what the message is Click here

The Ottawa River as we cross over to Quebec

The tour also included part of Gatineau, Quebec. We drove by the Canadian Museum of History. It has a very unusual shape. Lots of flowing curves. We will discuss the Museum in a later post. 

Through the building of the Museum you can see the Canadian Parliament on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River.

Maurice (The Rocket) Richard was a famous hockey player for the Montreal Canadiens. In Quebec he is given many honours. One is a life-sized statue. The Canadian author, Roch Carrier, wrote a short story about his hero, Maurice Richard. A animated film was made by the National Film Board of Canada. To see this film click here.

    In Ottawa there are many, many statues depicting a wide variety of subjects. We will show a handful of them as we drove by on our bus tour. The best way to see them would be to walk the streets of Ottawa and examine them and read about their story. Here are a few:

The Queen Elizabeth II Equestrian Statue was relocated in 2019 to Sussex Drive in front of Rideau Hall's main gate. This is a fitting choice since Rideau Hall is the official residence of the Governor General who is the Queen's representative in Canada. Rideau Hall is also where the Queen stays while in Ottawa. The statue depicts Her Majesty riding atop of Centennial.  The horse was a gift to her in 1973 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the RCMP.

No, it is not an invasion of spiders. This is a piece of art called Maman by Louise Bourgeois.  It was installed in the plaza in front of the National Art Gallery of Canada.

The National War Memorial is the focal point in the Confederation Square near the Parliament buildings. This large monument commemorates those Canadians who fought in many wars over the years. It is a depiction of 22 Canadian servicemen from all branches of the forces and other groups engaged in the First World War.

We will have to explore this and other monuments in the area.

The "Women Are Persons!" Monument on Parliament Hill to commemorate the efforts of Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Henrietta Muir Edwards and Louise McKinney. Nellie McClung is shown holding up the October 18 newspaper headline that announces this world-changing news, while Irene Parlby stands beside her. Henrietta Muir Edwards lifts her teacup in a toast to their success, as Louise McKinney excitedly clasps her hands. Emily Murphy, the woman who led their fight, stands beside a chair inviting you to sit with them and to make the best contribution you can to the generation in which you are living.

Emily Murphy (born Emily Gowan Ferguson) was a prominent suffragist, reformer and writer and became the first female magistrate in the British Empire in 1916.

Louise McKinney (born Louise Crummy) was a lifelong organizer and staunch supporter of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)

Nellie McClung (born Nellie Letitia Mooney) was a novelist, reformer, journalist, and suffragist. Feisty and charismatic, Nellie had a way of winning over opponents with her wit and humour.

Henrietta Muir Edwards (born Henrietta Louise Muir) the eldest of the four, was an artist as well as a legal expert. 

Irene Parlby (born Mary Irene Marryat) was an aristocratic Englishwoman who became a Western Canadian farmer’s wife and was a firm advocate for the rural farm women of Alberta. She organized and became the first President of the United Farm Women’s Association in 1916. 

To read more about these women click here

I am very familiar with Nellie McClung as an author. I have a collection of most of her books.

Statue of boy and girl sitting on a bench

The city is very diverse. Here we are entering the neighbourhood called Chinatown. We also went through Little Italy. We will definitely have to walk through these areas. We also went through the areas where the embassies of various countries are located. There are some very elaborate buildings and homes being used as embassies.

Another view of the Ottawa River as seen from Ottawa

    The tour was great. An afternoon well spent. I know that there is more of Ottawa to see but this was a great overview of the areas and things that we need explore more in depth.