Postcards from Montreal: January 2015

Sunday, 18 January 2015

Ottawa

Ottawa, Canada's capital, is only two hours from Montreal on the train. That makes it a perfect day trip, and this Sunday that's what we did. We were blessed with brilliant weather - it was 2 degrees in the early afternoon - positive digits, unheard of! Apologies though, as there's so much snow around all my photos outside are super bright . . . get your sunglasses ready!

Most of what we had to tick off our list was situated on Parliament Hill, which is reached by crossing the (frozen) Rideau Canal:

This is one of the parliament buildings. This pictured below is the centre of things, containing the House of Commons and the Senate. In front of it stands the Centennial Flame which burns perpetually.

We took a tour of Parliament, seeing the Senate (based on the House of Lords in function and design) and the stunning library. The library is the only original part of the building, saved by its iron doors in a fire at the turn of the twentieth century.

The Parliament Building is one of few to have a portrait of Edward VIII, given that he abdicated so promptly after he came to throne. It also has an original portrait of Queen Victoria, the first monarch of Canada - although its edges are missing as the canvas had to be cut to save the picture in a fire. The frame was too cumbersome and wouldn't fit through the doors!

You are able to go to the top of the Peace Tower in the building. The lift goes past the bells on the way up, and you can see the clock face through the roof of the look-out point. The view over Ottawa River is very beautiful.

There are statues throughout the grounds of the building, our favourite was definitely this which commemorates the roots of the Women's Rights movement. We had fun joining in their tea party.

The National War Memorial. A particularly pertinent location to visit given the Ottawa shootings last year - a moment to pause for thought.

We walked past the art gallery on the way to the Royal Canadian Mint. We couldn't take photos in the mint, but the tour (for the bargain price of $4.50) was fascinating. The mint for example has approximately 70 contracts every year, making coinage for countries such as Barbados. We also got to find out about the medals they made for the Olympics and we all got to lift a 24 carat, 29 pound bar of gold . . . unfortunately it was chained down!

Tuesday, 13 January 2015

Week 1.2: Basically, it is very snowy all the time.

Firstly, the photo of the snow ball fight was taken at the end of last semester, but I couldn't not share. 250+ students bombarding each on Lower Field at a stress-busting event actively encouraged we attend by the university. Secondly, I need to think of a good way to name my (not weekly) weekly updates - 1.2 will do for now.

I was really dreading coming back to Montreal. I was told the weather would be horrendous, and after having had such a lovely Christmas with friends and family the idea of not seeing any of them again for four months wasn't sitting pretty. Now I'm here, and busy, all is well and I'm genuinely glad to be back. The man on immigration even said 'Welcome back, Mademoiselle.' I'm a local now . . . (As a side note, my customs official for my flight to New York was called Moody, I thought that was brilliant.)

Work is already picking up, I had an assignment due today - considering people can still take up any class on offer until Week 3, I was a little taken aback! My favourite class so far is the hardest, surprise surprise, but I am really enjoying the challenge of being in a Graduate seminar and the experience is fantastic. I'm keeping on top of work in order to make time for play. Last Saturday I went ice-skating at Parc Lafontaine. As someone who hasn't ever really skated, save the time I almost concussed myself and my Dad when I was 9, I wasn't really looking forward to the event. PARTICULARLY once I arrived and found out that we were skating on an actual lake. (I.e. no sides to grab on to, vast and filled with pros). Having said this, I had the best time - mainly thanks to a patient Helena and the wise words of a passing French man, over the age of 60 and juggling his way around the rink who taught me to get my 'equilibrium' right. Anyways, I will definitely go again.

This Friday I am off to Igloofest in the evening, and on Sunday I am heading to Ottawa. I figured I would make use of the beginning of the semester to tick things of the year's bucket list, as we don't need to waste them settling in again like last term. I also very excitingly booked myself a long-weekend in Washington D.C. at the end of February. I can't wait, as I have never been. I imagine there will be some late nights prior and post to keep work ticking over, but it will be worth it.