Wednesday in Canada

July 7

In the real world it is a Wednesday, in Montreal it is Clean up after the Jazz Festival Day, in my world, it is Drive to Ottawa Day. I had thought about staying in Montreal for the day, but decided to go to Ottawa, I had never been, and it is a Capitol, I can add it to my statistics of places I have been.

I collect the few items I brought to my room, check out, and stumble down the steep hill, past the fire station, and down into the bowels of Montreal to where I left my car. All the instructions for using my parking ticket to enter the locked facility, and paying for the spot were in French only, and I was so proud to accomplish the task with little frustration. I then drove thru the city morning traffic, watching the scenery, I could be almost anywhere.

A short drive, only two hours, and I stopped to get gas while still in Quebec. The instructions were completely in French, nothing bilingual, but I was able to fill up, 40 liters, 41 Canadian dollars. Big numbers for a little car.

Found my hotel right away, a complete surprise for the price. A boutique hotel, with lounge, fireplace, outdoor terrace off my room, fine sheets, towels and smelly soaps and lotions. Nothing like the disinfectant smelling, sand paper towels place I had just left.

Working Wifi, working air conditioning, I might never leave the room. After a nap, I go out and explore the Byward Market Area. How nice, numerous restaurants and pubs and shops lining the streets, people out eating, drinking, enjoying life, despite feeling like we are in a furnace.

I decide between and Irish, Scottish or English pub, for libation, and I ended up in an Irish pub. Ordered Canadian beer, and fish and chips, lovely, met nice people while sitting at the bar, talked, and had a lovely night out. The market is similar to others, such as Faneuil Hall in Boston, and Covent Gardens in London, with street entertainment, I saw fire jugglers, sleight of hand magicians, artists, musicians, all asking for a few coins in return for the entertainment. It was twilight still after 9 at night, I made my way back to my room, and slept. Now freshly showered and dressed, I am ready to go out and do it all again.