CHAPTER 144

Original (Published in Evergreen News): 2012-09-17

Rewritten: 2026-04-08

A colleague was puzzled when she learned that I had spent eight days touring the capital. She thought one day would be enough. Simply put, everyone has their own preferences - what’s so strange about that?

After immigrating to Canada, one naturally hopes to visit the capital, Ottawa. In my case, I was also a potential candidate on the liver transplant waiting list. A living-donor transplant is no trivial matter, and I was in a situation where I could be called in at any time - I had to be able to reach Vancouver General Hospital within two hours, so traveling far was not an option.

Six years ago, I arrived by tour bus. To avoid parking tickets, passengers were only allowed to get off for ten minutes. We took a quick photo in front of Parliament and had to rush back onto the bus. I gained nothing from that visit - only a lingering regret.

My younger son was born in Canada. He joined the Army Cadet program at 13 and completed his service at 18. Every year in November, he attends Remembrance Day ceremonies. As parents, we naturally wanted to visit the capital with him, so he could better understand his own country.

In the spring of this year (2012), my wife planned an eight-day, seven-night summer trip to the capital. Our hotel had originally been a residence undergoing renovation - spacious, with cooking facilities, and only a 15-minute walk to Parliament. It was ideal.

With such an arrangement, we could gain a bit of understanding, a bit of feeling - taking in Parliament Hill, the St. Lawrence River, the canal, the Governor General’s residence, the embassy district, major museums, and tourist streets.

Our first stop was naturally Parliament Hill, the most important and striking landmark in Ottawa. Starting our independent exploration from there felt safest - we wouldn’t get lost.

The Centre Block of Parliament, the very heart of it all, was a must-see again. At the main entrance where I had once touched the stone pillars, we collected free tickets. After security checks, the three of us finally entered the building.

Familiar scenes unfolded before us - the House of Commons chamber, the staircases frequently used by prime ministers, opposition leaders, and key ministers, and the grand hall where speeches are delivered.

The most elegant of all was the Library of Parliament. Its exterior gleamed magnificently, almost like something out of a fairy tale, yet inside it was solemn and serene - we dared not take it lightly. Whether viewed from beneath the pointed clock tower - the Peace Tower - or from across the Ottawa River to the north, Parliament Hill was always the most eye-catching sight.

On the riverside slopes nearby, there were many stray cats, attracting animal welfare volunteers and adding a touch of human warmth.

The Parliament buildings stand at the birthplace of Ottawa - west of the canal. From Parliament toward the canal, one first passes Confederation Square to pay tribute to fallen soldiers. The square lies at the intersection of Wellington Street and Mackenzie Avenue, in front of Parliament’s great lawn.

In the square, besides the natural gas flame, there were guards in red uniforms on duty. We stayed to take photos - at last, we could pay our respects to soldiers in the nation’s capital. Then we headed east to where the canal meets the road, descended the steps to the canal below, and the moment we arrived, the noise from above vanished completely.

Walking along the riverside path toward the St. Lawrence River, we saw the eight locks - simple, sturdy structures still operated by hand. Beneath the shade of trees on both sides, there was a constant flow of visitors and cyclists. At the point where the canal meets the natural riverway stands a museum called the Bytown Museum. Stepping inside felt like traveling decades back in time, offering a glimpse into the flow of Canadian history.

From the top of the canal, descending step by step, one can see across the river the Museum of Civilization in Quebec. Looking back eastward from the river mouth, there stands a grand historic hotel - its owner perished in the Titanic disaster. Life is like a play.

Further east are the National Gallery, the Department of Foreign Affairs, embassies, and the residences of the Prime Minister and the Governor General. To the west of the canal lie the Parliament buildings, the Supreme Court, the national archives, and the War Museum - all clearly laid out, with breathtaking scenery.

Eight days and seven nights - choosing one area to explore each day, walking continuously - and still, we hadn’t finished seeing it all.