More Ottawa Sights

June 30...a workday for Jim and Therese, so we took Caroline with us into Ottawa for a trip to the Museum of Civilization, "tourist shopping" (as Mhairi calls the search for keychains, maple candies and the like), and Parliament Hill.

I really enjoy hearing our GPS try to pronounce things like Blvd Jeanne d'Arc ("Gene Dark"), and Laurier St ("Lowrear"). The kids are in hysterics with it. Anyway, we went to Museum of Civilization, which is actually in Hull, Quebec, across the Ottawa River from Ottawa. It was terrific, especially the Canadian history floor, where you go east to west through 1000 years of civilization, from the Vikings in Newfoundland to the fisheries in BC, through New France, 18th century Ontario, the Saskatchewan early farming, and buffalo hunts. Like most museums, it feels like the eyes and brains fill up far before the end of the exhibit; it was much like the old town in our Royal BC Museum, but much larger, with sights, sounds and a HUGE display of amazing artifacts.

Ironically, when you arrive at the museum, the first exhibit is a First Peoples' exhibit, featuring West Coast tribes: Haida, Tsimshian, Nuu Chal Nulth, etc., which seemed almost like being home again. Not a single dream catcher, though! And no mention of the Iroquois, Blackfoot, Sioux, etc...Each of the west coast tribes' displays were in a "house" designed as they would have been by that particular native group and there were some magnificent totems as well, and a couple of amazing Bill Reid sculptures.

In the New France area, a docent showed us the typical dress of those arriving from France and how unsuitable it would prove for the eastern winters. The adaptations of native dress were also there, so the kids saw how traditional native garb was modified for the whites, and Mhairi and Caroline dressed up as young ladies, with a cape and muff and wooden shoes.

Tomorrow is Canada Day and all the museums are free, so we may check out the National War Museum, which Dennis and I really hope to see. I think we will go to the fireworks too, although the forecast is for rain.

After our museum trip, we went to the Byward Market for lunch (Dennis screeched to a halt at the first sight of the word "Tandoor"). Then on to Parliament Hill for a brief walk around the buildings and to the boutique where I got Canada-themed playing cards (one of the things on my list).

Home for a swim in the rain, and a quiet evening...

Happy Canada Day everyone!