Ottawa

Well, being in the Country's capital but not interested in museums nor politics, was there anything to do other than museums and visit Parliament Hill? I have 4 days to find out.

So far, I've been to the downtown core everyday. My friend lives downtown, so easy to go past it every day.

Here are some highlights:
- we did a sports day race for National Sports Day Sep 18th. We had ~9 pit stops and had to do a physical activity at each stop. They had a heritage sports pit stop with lacrosse, ringette and broom ball! I've never played those before. they also had a stop where you ran blindfolded with your race partner. It really gave me perspective for those paralympians. We also had our stress monitored with a breathing sensor that helps you synchronize your breathing with your heart rate. Apparently it reduces stress when you're synced. It's an average of 6 breaths/min. It was throughout the downtown core and the Univeristy of Ottawa campus.
- Rideau Centre is the main shopping mall (like Pacific Centre)
- Byward market is a historical district and the hub or pubs, food stalls and small shops (like Granville Island
- Bank street, kind of like Commercial Drive
- Glebe - kind of like West 4th Ave
- the Science and Tech museum - I learned about Canadian innovators, communications, Canada and our contributions to space endeavours
- the Currency Museum, housed in the Bank of Canada - saw the development of the world's currency system, the display on Euro was very interesting (I got in half an hour before it closed, so it was quick, wish I had more time)
- ate at Zak's diner. Apparently an iconic burger joint, kind of like Hamburger Mary's

I've had great weather so far. Only on the day I flew in was is pouring rain like Vancouver. It's been sunny and dry, about 12 to 19 C every day. One more day to go, and dim sum and outlet shopping are on the plan.