Well, I enjoyed Ottawa and I did get tom see the Canadians' new War Museum. It is a stunning piece of architectural sculpture, sort of like the Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Virginia, was before it got all crudded up with outbuildings. It was interesting to see someone else's view on bits of American history. For instance, the Canadians seem to see the War of 1812 with Canada playing a doughty little David to the American Goliath. If I have my figures right, Canada had a total population of less than 1,000,000 while our population exceeded 7,000,000. The obvious answer of using the British Army and the Royal Navy was not quite that easy since Great Britain was deeply committed to the war against Napoleonic France at the time. When that war ended, the peace negotiations at Ghent proceeded better.
Another example is how the Museum portrays the Loyalist (Tory) units during our Revolution, especially Butler's Rangers. This particular group operated out of Fort Niagara and worked with Britain's Indian allies along the frontiers. They have quite an evil reputation on our side of the border, but they are apparently seen as heroes up there despite the massacres in which they were involved.
The people are quite pleasant and friendly and the pace reminds me of Washington, DC, in the 1950s and 1960s. There appears to be very much less "me first" pressure than in current DC.
I have a recommendation for a seafood restaurant there. It is Pelican Seafood Restaurant and Market in the Blue Moon Shopping Mall on Bank Street just south of Riverside Drive. Their Digby Scallops are outstanding as is their Fried Squid. But the real gem is Cedar Grilled Salmon with a Quebec Maple Syrup glaze. This is the MOST delicious seafood that I have ever eaten.
Another example is how the Museum portrays the Loyalist (Tory) units during our Revolution, especially Butler's Rangers. This particular group operated out of Fort Niagara and worked with Britain's Indian allies along the frontiers. They have quite an evil reputation on our side of the border, but they are apparently seen as heroes up there despite the massacres in which they were involved.
The people are quite pleasant and friendly and the pace reminds me of Washington, DC, in the 1950s and 1960s. There appears to be very much less "me first" pressure than in current DC.
I have a recommendation for a seafood restaurant there. It is Pelican Seafood Restaurant and Market in the Blue Moon Shopping Mall on Bank Street just south of Riverside Drive. Their Digby Scallops are outstanding as is their Fried Squid. But the real gem is Cedar Grilled Salmon with a Quebec Maple Syrup glaze. This is the MOST delicious seafood that I have ever eaten.
