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A Sunday Walk 2 - Tulip Festival

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Actually, I'm calling this the tulip festival page, and I did indeed walk around downtown (with some friends) during the tulip festival, and even visited the main pavilion (I think), but you aren't going to find any pictures of tulips here.

One reason is that I'm just not all that much of a horticultural enthusiast, and the other reason is I kept being distracted by the smell of tasty poutine and italian sausage hot dogs. Mmmm...

Hotdog vendor



We hooked around the back of Parliament Hill and over the Rideau Canal. It's surprising how important the canal is to Ottawa. It defines defines the bounds of downtown along with the Ottawa River and Rideau River. Lots of beautiful houses look over it. It flows past both universities. Everybody skates on it in the winter. And of course, many tulips (not pictured here) are planted next to it every spring.

My interest in the canal is more for the locks. The idea of using locks to manage a change of water level seems so obvious in hindsight, but it was brilliant. Before steam, canals were the only easy way to reach inland cities with large cargoes if they didn't have river access.

I have to say, though. If I had the choice, I'd rather have worked laying rail road track than digging the canal. Digging a canal before earth moving tools were available must have been incredibly difficult.

Canal locks



Oh wait, I did snap a photo of some tulips after all. If you squint just right, you may be able to make them out as a splotch of red running in a horizontal line.

I've always loved this view of downtown. The red brick buildings behind the flag have always been some of my favourite.

Some tulips



I realize that the business district of many cities sees less traffic on the weekends, but the emptiness of many streets is just amazing considering Ottawa is the capital city and this shot was taken within a block or two of the Parliament buildings. You'd think there would be some tourists even if locals stayed away.

I wonder if regulations make it especially tough on small business here. Even many pubs with patios were CLOSED on a day with great weather!

Empty street



No photo album of Ottawa's downtown can be complete without a picture of the Parliament Buildings. I didn't manage to include the eternal flame though, and it was time for the changing of the guard.

Personally, I think the best view of Parliament is actually from the Quebec side of the river, maybe from somewhere near the Museum of Civilization, but the front seems ore recognizable. I guess because the clock tower is more obvious that way.

I wonder if it says anything about the U.S. and Canada that their most recognizable government building is the residence of the President, and our most recognizable building houses the legislature?

Parliament buildings



One thing I learned today is that taking pictures using your phone is extremely difficult on sunny days because the LCD screen's backlight can't compete with the sun so you have to hope that your shot turns out well since you can't see it until you find a shaded area to review it!

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