Parliament Hill Tour

Since my security clearance is still incomplete (on the end of DND!), I had the day off today, and possibly for the rest of the week, which rather sucks because now I'm just bumming around the apartment. But a couple of days ago, Alexis and I were talking over MSN and I was saying how working for the government sucks because they're very slow (she's the only one who understands) and that when I return to Ottawa, I'll be bumming around with nothing much to do. So she suggested I go take a tour of Parliament. Well, I've been on a tour of Parliament several times to the point where I could possibly do the tour for some people and I also worked for an MP, which gave me access to places where the public cannot go to. So I told Alexis that the only possible way I would go to Parliament Hill was if she was working as a tour guide. And loe and behold, she was working there this year. So this afternoon, Cortnee and I headed over.

Blah blah blah went Alexis. Apparently, she has the entire speech of the tour memorized. That's the secret folks! They have a script! And according to her, each guide at Parliament Hill has a different theme. So one guide may focus only on history, another on how Parliament works, but Alexis focused on architecture so she talked a lot about the gothic sculptures and arches of Parliament and what they represented. So each time you go to Parliament, you can end up learning different things! Wow. I never knew that. Alexis told Cort and I that she's going to change her theme in the next couple of weeks. She says her architectural thing is starting to get lame. LOL. Well, I was going to take a picture of her and the ugly blue polyester uniform she has to wear (for which she hates!) but I didn't get a good shot. But then again, why would I want to freak myself out with that? LOL.

The only nice (postable) pictures I took of the tour were from the Peace Tower, so I got some aerial shots of Ottawa-Gatineau

Looking towards the Ottawa River and Gatineau. The roof of the Library of Parliament is right in front.

The City of Gatineau. Place du Portage (many Government of Canada offices are located there is to the left) and the Museum of Civilization is to the right.

Ottawa, looking east. The National Art Gallery is in front.

Chateau Laurier on the bottom left. NDHQ (where I will be working) is in the centre and you can also see the campus of uOttawa and its residences -- the tall brown buildings behind NDHQ is Stanton Residence and Marchand Residence

Looking towards Byward Market and the US Embassy (the long horizontal building at the front)

Looking south down Metcalfe St. (?). The National Capital Commission Info Centre is the middle.

The Centennial Flame in front of Parliament Hill with a group of kids about to take a photograph. Cort and I eventually find out from Alexis that it's a hockey team from Russia, here in Ottawa to play in a hockey tournament.