The last time I went to Ottawa, Ontario, was when I was in University. I went to visit my friend Jill, aka ERRRRNA (shout. out.), who was enrolled in the Journalism program at Carlton University there. She lives in Bermuda now (I love saying that one of my besties lives in Bermuda — have you noticed that?). Yes, Erna lives in Bermuda. My friend Erna lives in Bermuda….

Anyway, my friend Erna, who lives in Bermuda, went to university in Ottawa, and I visited her. Actually, I ran away from home to Ottawa for a weekend because I was a SERIOUSLY MESSED UP TEENAGER (may-hay-hay-jor kudos to it’sgrandma and papa’shere for putting up with me!). We had SO much fun dancing at the clubs there, hanging out in the Architecture building — where we got to secretly watch some cute Architecture student shave (it’s like ER in there the way they work all night long) — and sipping coffee at the Artist’s Cafe….

I really must get a picture of Erna in Bermuda for you. She’s getting married next year. And, I’m GOING. Cannot wait. A-NY-WAY. I digress.

Back to my friend in Bermuda Ottawa.

After all these years…. I returned to Ottawa today. And, I brought my cheaty little family.

Ottawa’s about an hour from our (the father-in-law’s) country house. So, we decided to be spontaneous and take a trip there today. Totally unplanned. And, what an adventure it was!

It’s as beautiful as I remember. The architecture! The architecture! I took lots of pictures for you. Ottawa’s the capital of Canada, for those of you who don’t know. So, it’s filled with GORJ government buildings. The monkey, of course, insisted that they were all castles with princesses and fairies and butterflies in them — and, of course, she was all over that…. Check it!


If you look closely, you might be able to see poor little rascal leaning his lil head out the side of the stroller — screaming for me. MAJOR case of mommy-itis today….


This is the BIG PARLIAMENT BUILDING where everything happens. We took a tour here….


…but it was a French tour — and we weren’t ALLOWED to ask any questions in English….

Here’s a look inside the Parliament Building…. It’s totals stunners GORJ….


Oh…, the ceilings….


…the ceilings…


…the ceilings…!


The House of Commons….


The Senate….


That would be monkey thinking she’s waiting in line to sit on the Queen’s throne…ahem.


It got a little challenging to contain my monkeys during the French tour. Notice one sitting beside the French tour guide (OUTSIDE the roped off area…), and one crawling toward said French tour guide…. No one seemed to mind….


The Princess’s library…….


Magnificent….

We went all the way up to the clock tower, of course. And, it was magnificent…. Check this view….

We finished off the tour in the memorial room for soldiers lost at war….


“In Flanders Fields,” by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army.

We finished the day visiting Josh’s friend and then heading out to a diner. Meet the monkey’s new obsession — erm…, “Whitey”….

We tried VERY hard to get the monkey to name Whitey something OTHER than Whitey — Creampuff, Snowflake (that was Josh’s suggestion), even Powder Puff. But, no. Whitey it is. I hope no one, erm, takes it the wrong way. All day, the monkey went up to EVERYONE saying, “Hello! This is WHITEY”! Hee. So cute. Both monkeys had a great day.

Beautiful, spontaneous, adventurous day.

We all did.

Hope you’re enjoying the week! Miss you! xo Haley-O

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