C-eh-N-eh-D-eh

Call it a Canadian crusade, a patriotic pilgrimage or a jingoistic jaunt, but a visit to one's national capital is a must. My last visit to Ottawa, capital of my native Canada, was way back in high school. Since then, i'v spent the majority of my adult life living and working overseas. Bu as the fates would have it, i was "forced" to do some paperwork for my Yemeni work visa in Ottawa and only Ottawa. Although my trip was a logistic one, i didn't mean i couldn't re-take in a few sites.

I'd love to sit here writing about great museums or suggesting hidden little restaurants i found, but that's not going to happen. After all, i only had about 36 hours in the city. A chunk of that was allocated to dealing with the Yemeni embassy (which understandably was not that busy). And an unfortunate lost bag (DAMN Delta) added an unwanted stress while reducing free time to explore. As if that wasn't enough, this was likely my last chance to pick up "western" stuff before heading off to the Middle East. Luckily, i managed to hook up with a great couchsurfing host and the weather was awesome. But even with paperwork problems, baggage worries and shopping woes, there was no way i was going to skip some of the easy highlights of town. Or i guess i should say main highlight, parliament.

OK. The Parliament building will never be in the running for the new, new 7 wonders of the world. And i don't think i have ever heard anyone say "Before i die, i must see the parliament in Ottawa". But it's ours. With all of it's non-confrontational, borderline complacent politics that have happened in it's hallowed halls since 1916. The centreblock building, the main edifice, is "important" enough to be feature on 3 different Canadian denominations of money ($10, $20, $50). There are a few other things to check out in town, but with limited time, i simply strolled the rather multicultural streets. Unlike some other political capitals (Canberra, Ankara...) Ottawa has a relatively young population mixed with the boring political suits. Due to the university i suppose. Cool outdoor cafes, plenty of pubs and pool halls and every cuisine imaginable, the town has enough to quench any thirst and stop any rumbling bellies.

After all my travels, the first question i'm often asked is "What's your favourite place?". Ottawa, sadly, would not be my answer. It actually wouldn't make the top 50. I had thought that my forced visit was a curse, but it turned out to be a blessing. Perhaps it's more of a nationalistic endearment, but any tourist should most certainly add Ottawa any itinerary of Canada.