Leg 10—Québec City to Ottawa: May 7 & 8, 2006

Getting to Ottawa from Québec City requires two trains with a layover of two hours in Montréal. Both of these trains have assigned seating. VIA Rail’s Train 23 takes me from Québec City to Montréal with a stop in Sainte-Foy. VIA Rail’s Train 635 takes me from Montréal to Ottawa with stops as follows: In Québec, Montréal, Dorval and Coteau; and in Ontario, Alexandria, Casselman and Ottawa.

Much of the area seems to be farmland, but not much growing yet. It appears the land is ready for plowing. However, I spotted a few rows of small evergreen trees and a few horses and cows grazing. This ride is a short ride. The train arrives on time. Taxi driver from India and has Master’s degree at a university in India. He was amiable. All taxis in Ottawa seem to be from the same company with blue cars.

There is not a better place for VIA Rail to have a two hour layover, because there is much to do in Gare Centrale, where the station is located. I eat lunch, I check my email at an Internet Café, and I write and mail post cards to friends and family. Time goes by fast.

Home Sweetland Home is hosted by Brian Desjarlais and Sid VanReenen. When I arrive, Brian carries my luggage to my room. As in many B&Bs, the rooms are upstairs. Both Brian and Sid are congenial. We strike up a conversation about my being an Enrolled Agent. After checking me in, Brian gives me a tour of the home, offering fruit anytime and showing me where I can find drinks in the refrigerator.

Home Sweetland Home is located downtown in the Sandy Hill district within walking distance of all of Ottawa's major sites including Parliament Hill, the Byward Market, the University of Ottawa, major museums, and the Rideau Canal. Rooms are comfortable and reasonably priced. A full breakfast is served daily from 7:30 am to 10:00 am. Among the many amenities are: On site parking, central air, senior discounts and laundry facilities for long term stays. One block from the B&B is a Laundromat, Spuds.

My bedroom #4 overlooks the front of the house and has an antique wooden double bed and television with cable. I shared a bathroom with Room #2.The bathroom has a new glass shower. My bed is a full-size bed and very comfortable.
I didn’t want to bother the hosts with my washing clothes, so I walk to Spuds to wash them. Then, I walk one block north of the B&B to Laurier and locate the Urban Well Bistro & Lounge and eat a taco salad and drink a Stella Artois. When I return back to B&B, I watch Canadian comedians on TV and fall asleep.

In the morning, I am the first guest to arrive for breakfast, but soon afterwards, a Canadian couple joins me at the dining table. I enjoy a spinach omelet with strawberries, pineapple slices, orange juice, coffee and a delicious breakfast cake. The breakfast was gourmet and served in quick fashion. Brian, an excellent host, joins in a conversation with me and the couple. They gave me a few hints about what to see in Ottawa. Brian says that is about a fifteen minute walk to Parliament hill. In talking with Canadians, it is obvious that the majority of them know more about the United States than American citizens know about Canada.

I recommend Home Sweetland Home.

It takes me more like 30 minutes to walk to Parliament Hill, but it was worth the trip. There is much going on outside the Parliament, such as people taking pictures, protestors making their plea and street people holding out their hands. I miss the changing of the guard, a Canadian tradition, offered from July through September 10. There is much to see, but check the Parliament of Canada’s Website for the dates of operation: Outdoor Guided Tour, Changing the Guard, Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill, Discover the Hill Self-Guided Tour, Costumed Interpretation / Theatre on the Hill, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Carillon Concerts.

After taking pictures at Parliament Hill, I walk by the Rideau Canal and found a Starbucks for a Latte, and a post office to buy stamps at a pharmacy on Rideau Street. Walking back to the B&B, I passed Ottawa University and St. Thomas Church to take pictures. St. Thomas Church is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

Ottawa is Canada’s Capital region and offers a combination of culture and history: museums, galleries and theatres, night clubs, restaurants. Heritage sites, architecture, festivals, and cultural activities. Like most of the cities I visit, I would like to spend more time to visit Ottawa’s cultural and historical sites.