I arrived in Ottawa on schedule. As we turned to make our approach to the airport, it struck me how small the city really was. When you see the river, and know that you are flying over the south end of the city, it really isn’t all that big. It has certainly spread out over the years. The airport is trying hard to be a big city airport. It’s nothing like the little thing I can remember growing up. It’s pretty, and it has a nice feel about it. I just kind of floated off the plane and down through the baggage check to find my cab. The ride downtown was all too familiar. Not much about that has changed – as the parkway will probably never change. There were other changes though … We drove past my old high school (still there), drove past Texaco where Mike worked (it’s gone), drove past the BP where I had my first job (now Petro Canada), past my friends house (now a parking lot) and finally to downtown (where did those condos come from)?
I took a brief walk around as it was already 5:30 and I know that downtown pretty much closes at 6. (It’s a government town after all)
And this is my favourite picture…I love it when they have to give you an arrow to show what they really mean.
I walked around downtown for a while and even managed to get my hair cut before heading back to the hotel to watch the game (we lost).
Tommorow is another day in the city and I’ll see what I can find of interest.
I was surprised to find that I actually felt a feeling of emptiness being back in town. It was almost as though I felt I had no real ties to this city. I have my best friends here, but so much has changed and I’m not really part of it anymore.
Ottawa is still a beautiful city and I’m always happy to come back here.