Aaaaaand we’re back!  After a whirlwind 48 hours I think it’s safe to say that Ottawa will never be same.  Although our time there was limited, the partying definitely was not.  So sit back, chill, and let me take you through the highlight reel.

First stop – Ottawa.  After a five and a half hour trek via train, we finally touched down in Canada’s capital.  Surprisingly the train ride wasn’t that bad.  Well I can’t imagine it would be when you have a laptop, cashews, and endless hours of ‘Would You Rather?’  Salty nuts aside, we hopped off the train and onto the nearest cab to our hotel.  Or should I say palace.  Hands down, Hotel Indigo on Metcalfe Street is one of the nicest hotels I have ever stayed in.  It had me at… waterfall in the lobby.

Several awe-struck moments later, we quickly unpacked our bags and headed down to the market for some lunch.  The market in Ottawa has blocks and blocks of great restaurants and jam-packed bars, it’s definitely the place to be.

Fast forward to the next morning (HBD, Canada!) and an early wake-up call wasn’t exactly welcoming after the previous night.  But like a champ, I pulled myself together and headed out to Parliament Hill just in time to see the Ceremonial Guard march in.  Actually, ‘see’ is an overstatement.  An estimated 350,000 people were expected in and around Ottawa for Canada Day festivities.  And let me tell you, it felt like all of them were squished onto the Hill.  In fact, it was later reported that 100,000 people had actually made their way on Parliament Hill that day.  We met folks who travelled far and wide to get to Ottawa on July 1^st.  Because like I said, it’s where the party’s at, yo!

But this was an extra special party for me.  One of my favourite bands, The Barenaked Ladies, was scheduled to play twice that day, right in front of the Parliament buildings.  The same stage none other than the Queen would be gracing.  And you should have seen the crowd when she arrived… Elizabeth II in the houuuuuuse!

Though the party never stopped on the Hill, we headed back to our castle (uh, hotel) to gear up for Canada Day night!  By the time we made it from the hotel to Al’s friend’s place and back to the market, the parties were pumpin’ at full force and space was scarce.  However, because our genius selves were thinking quite clearly the previous day, we had already gotten line bypass at the Hard Rock Café.  Point for us!  The already good night continued in the same fashion while Canada Day slowly came to a close.

Success!  We had officially made it through the best birthday party in Canada with a ton of good stories to tell!  And as I say, ‘what happens in Ottawa stays in Ottawa’… let’s keep it that way, at least just a little bit.

Peace,

Jaime