Ottawa daze

So with the parade over it was time to be 'Not An Englishman in Boston' but a 'AEIO'. That's right – an Englishman in Ottawa – at least for a few days.

Ottawa is a city that just draws me in with its museums, galleries, the Ottawa River, Rideau Canal, Gothic buildings and a regular schedule of events that range from jazz and blues festivals to the Wine and Food show.

The latter provided the impetus for a five-day break. That and expiring Air Canada miles and an overdue opportunity to catch up with good friends made before and during our time living there from 1998 to 2000.

Of course, I noticed the flailing US dollar purchased less and the unmistakable look of satisfaction on d' Canadians' friendly faces as we talked about where it had all gone wrong (or right depending on which side of the border you hang your woolly hat).

I spent almost an entire day in the newly minted Canadian War Museum – where amongst other things I learned with satisfaction that people from 1766 called patriots in the US are described less politely as 'The American Rebels' in Canada.

Indeed much of the early infrastructure, at least after General Wolf defeated a somewhat overzealous Montcalm to win Canada from the French, was established to defend a Canada loyal to the English crown from American infiltration.

Still the wine and food show presented a great opportunity to drink to the Americas and bring into the fold a few Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand aswell as some EU partners such as France and Germany. Curiously, save the smallest table imaginable, Italy was absent from the party.

The National Gallery of Canada, fresh with a photo exhibit 'Snap Judgment' featuring the brighter side of life in the continent of Africa (at least for the most part) presented an opportunity to replace the all pervasive images of disease, famine, warlords and genocide that are the 'photostock' trade of journalists and image makers. In addition, all of the images came from talented and in many cases self-taught, up-and-coming African photographers.

My own images of Ottawa can be found on Flickr at by clicking here.

I spent a wonderful afternoon on Halloween in the Earl of Sussex Pub, just people watching/listening. Everything changes, the whole dynamics of personal interaction, when at least one of the people is hiding behind a costume mask. Sadly, I was not one of them and could only marvel at the bravery of some souls.