Took a Walkabout

Today, the sun was shining and the snow is melting away making plenty of puddles and creeks to walk around. I worked some overtime to ensure that the necessary quota per hospital will be met for this coming Friday. I arrived to the hotel around early afternoon and after grabbing a quick snack - (using the Australian term) - I went on a walkabout of the downtown of Ottawa. I took a walk along the Rideau Canal (the Ottawa River runs through it) where in the winter time it is famously known as the longest skating rink. I walked down Sussex Drive all the way down to the Royal Mint (turning 100 years old this year for those historians) and back through the Byward Market to the hotel. Along that walk found where the National Art Gallery was - the "huge" spider greets you at the entrance. While walking and soaking in the sights, you can picture in your mind the character this area of the city had in the 1800's - the brick buildings and the cobble streets - now they are meld with the modern buildings. It was like +11c, so out came the chairs and tables for customers. It was similar to the sidewalk cafes of Europe. Being the Nation's Capital, as you explore you hear both French and English spoken - of course with Quebec on the other side of the Ottawa River it would definitely be the norm. I have taken some photos of my walk - I will put them on later.

Did have some excitement last night at the hotel. Around 11:45pm as I finally was in a sleep - was awoken to this loud voice and noise - it was announcing that a fire alarm has been set off and wait for more instructions. So the 5 mins from waking up and hearing what the instructions were, I was able to get dressed, pack both computers in my bag with my wallet. Plus get my shoes and jacket on. Then the final instructions came - please evacuate the building!! (there were 3 fire engines below) - off I went with my bags going in circles and getting quite dizzy as I am on the 16th floor. After a half hour or so, the alarm determined to be false on the 22nd floor and we took our time to take the elevators back to our floor. I must have been tired - I had no problem falling back to sleep as wake up was 6am to head to the Ottawa Civic for 7am.