I woke up feeling slightly excited, cos first, today is the last day of the conference, second, it will end early at 330 today, which means i've more time for sightseeing, and third, it's Halloween!
I'm never a sucker for Halloween, but i was rather excited to see how Canadians celebrated Halloween. Do kids really go trick-or-treat, and do adults dress up too and party all night?
Anyway, i started off my day with breakfast at the Palais du Centre. My favorite haunt has been the Le Deli, where wafting delicious smells reach out for you from across the floor~ haha, ok im exaggerating a bit, but it was how i felt exactly as i walked towards the deli to get my breakfast. Today it was egg muffin, which has egg, cheese and bacon strips in it. One of my cheapest breakfast so far at CAD$3 (~S$3.60).
We saw quite a few persons dressed up in Halloween costumes, e.g. service and cleaning staff with Frankenstein/Scream masks, and *gah* men with pink wigs and in skirts. It's probably common for Halloween here, but i feel slightly disoriented to see men cross-dress, even if it's for Halloween.
Lunch was also provided in the Salle de Banquets.
Our lunch table was an interesting mix of ladies from (almost) all over the world: U.S.A, Netherlands, Halifax (which i later found out was part of Atlantic Canada, situated near the coasts), Ottawa and of course, Singapore!
The ladies were really surprised to hear that we're from Singapore, which was really SUPER far-away from Ottawa, and asked us alot of questions on the distance and flight, climate in S'pore, food, etc.
We also heard some interesting stories about Halloween from them. The lady from Ottawa told us that her husband plans to dress up as a woman tonight for a party *GULP*, a friend of her daughter's plan to cross-dress also, with the full regime: tank top, short skirt (apparently REALLY short, so that *her* g-string can be seen!). Ok... so Dracula, Frankenstein, Scream are not the only favourite dress-ups for Halloween i see.
The ladies from Canada also told us about work and pre-retirement plans in their cty. They actually have a pre-retirement course/plan to "attend" one yr before their retirement age at 55. They also have a helfty sum for pension to spend on for the rest of their lives, and a significant no. of persons in Canada don't usually plan to leave bequests to their children, nor do they rely on their children to provide for them, since their pensions would be enough to last them. I find it slightly hard to relate to that, as the Asian values of children providing for their elderly parents are deeply rooted in my mind. The lady also told us she plans to travel around with her husband after their retirement (she's 53), which i was rather envious of.
Another interesting thing was the importance of French in Canada to progress at work, at least for work in the public sector. Not many people are effectively bilingual in Canada, and children find it hard to master both languages.
I had a good time listening to all these stories, which probably more than compensated for the disappointing lunch. It was a four-course meal again, and the main course was slightly obnoxious to me. It was beef with potato balls, and i abstain from beef generally. I initially tucked in without much thought, thinking that i would just eat some to fill my stomach. After a few bites, i could take no more. The smell also got to me, and for awhile, i couldnt recover and felt slightly sick. Luckily, the dessert (blueberry cheese cake!!) saved my day. This must be one of the best desserts i've ever eaten.
The conference ended at 3:30pm.
The weather looked fantastic today as well. I decided to take the Voyageurs' trail today, which starts from the Civilisation Museum across my hotel. The Voyageurs' trail wind through the Capital Core from the shore of the Ottawa River, and provides a greater insight into the beauty of the urban yet nature side of Ottawa.
Alert: Many photos ahead!
Beginning of trail. Parliament Hill from across Ottawa River:
Alexandra Bridge:
View of the park behind Civilisation Museum:
Ottawa River and Parliament Hill:
The park and the river are so beautiful...
Along the pathway:
Met some joggers and cyclists, one who even waved to me.
I felt kinda ridiculous wearing so many layers of winter clothing, when they're all merely wearing their jogging suit with just an additional layer of jacket. But most important was that im kept warm.
Saw someone fishing too:
The direction im heading is the Portage Bridge, which leads to Ottawa (remember this was the "scary" way i took back on day 3 night to my hotel in Gatineau). It's almost laughable that i found the house and Victoria Island "scary" the other night, as it looked totally harmless in the daytime (altho. the house still looks like some abandoned place).
Ottawa River:
Portageurs' Park from the other side of the Portage Bridge :
Garden of the Provinces and Territories. It was created to celebrate the centennial of Confederation in 1967. Displayed in the elegant green space are the floral emblems and coats of arms of Canada's provinces and territories.
Christ Church Cathedral:
On the walks i've taken for the past few days, i've seen lotsa squirrels along the streets and in the parks. Today managed to get a picture of one who was really cute, and did not leap away when i got near (they're usually running around alot):
After the trail, i went on to walk along Spark St's and Wellington Avenue, and I was pretty tired by the time i've finished walking, and it was only 6 plus. Decided to go for dinner at Rideau Centre before i decide what to do later.
At this time i was wondering whether i should go for the Haunted Walks, that was pretty famous in Ottawa. http://www.hauntedwalk.com/
They've a Halloween special for this few days too. But later i felt too tired, and also a little too chickened out to go on my own (asked my colleague earlier whether she wants to go, but she's afraid too, haha), so i decide to give it a miss.
I headed for Rideau Centre for dinner first. Had A&W's chicken grilled burger, which cost me CAD$5.30 (~S$6.50). I also bought pasta salad from another eating place to bring along in case i get hungry later. As it was still early, i went off to the Chapter's bookstore to read for an hour or so before heading back to hotel.
Was a little disappointing that i didnt really get a feel of Halloween fully here, bcos i don't really party (and dont intend to go party on my own in a foreign land), and also im not in those residential areas to see kids going trick-or-treat. But i was glad to go back to hotel to have an early rest and watch some Halloween specials on TV. Funny that Obama was on one of those comedy shows, where the hosts had on Halloween costumes/masks. A man wearing Obama's face mask and suit came onto the stage, and i was surprised when he took off his mask and revealed himself as the real Obama!
Had an aroma bath before i went to bed at 12pm.
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