The beautiful city of Ottawa.

I have been to Ottawa many times before, but never have I realized how beautiful it truly is! We stayed at Ottawa University last weekend and I realized that I want to go to university in Ottawa. The people are so friendly for being such a big city and there are constantly people outside doing things such as running, roller blading or simply going for a nice walk. Also, the place is gorgeous!! The buildings are breath taking and it's all so clean.

The four days in Ottawa was very very busy, waking up early in the morning and going to bed late in the night, constantly doing many things. Here is the itinerary of our trip:


Saturday May 22, 2010:
08:00 Bus departs from Orillia (Hammond bus yard) – northern route via Bracebridge, Huntsville, North Bay
12:45 Lunch – Laurentian Dairy Bar, Deep River
16:00 Arrival at Ottawa University
(Dan responsible for Key and Room assignment)
18:00 Bus leaves for dinner
18:30 Dinner at Du Barry Chinese Buffet - Ottawa location (Reserved-38)
20:30 Jacket ceremony and 2 minutes speeches by outbounds.

Sunday May 23 2010:
6:30 Wake-up call
7:00 to 8:30 Breakfast at University cafeteria and to bus
8:30 Bus tour of Ottawa highlights
10:00 Canadian War Museum - guided tour
12:00 IMAX Theatre (film name - Sharks 3D)
13:15 Lunch – Boxed lunch + free time until 1445 (37)
15:00 Museum of Human Civilization - Guided tour 1.5 hour + free time
17:00 Return to the University
17:30 Dinner at University Cafeteria
19.00 Haunted Walk Tour (Ghosts & Gallows) - guided tour
21.00 Free time

Monday May 24, 2010:
6:30 Wake-up call
7:00- 7:50 Breakfast at University cafeteria and to bus
8:15 Parliament Hill – guided tour
10:30 Supreme Court of Canada –guided tour & group pictures
12:30 Lunch – The Southern Cross - Ottawa – (Reserved - 37)
14:00 National Art Gallery – guided tour
15.30 Free time at Rideau Centre & Byward Market until 17:30
17:30 Bus departs to return to Ottawa University
19:30 Dinner at Tuckers – (Reserved - 38)
21:30 Sharing sessions

Tuesday May 25 , 2010

6:00 Wake-up call and pack-up
7:00-8:00 Breakfast at University cafeteria, and luggage to bus
8:15 Bus departs from University residence
9:00 Diefenbunker Tour – 1.5 hrs.
12:45 Lunch – Laurentian Dairy Bar – Deep River



As I said, very busy!! All the exchange students became very close which made it difficult to say goodbye because we live far away from each other and we all leave shortly. We have many memories that will stay with us for a long time. It was one of those weekends, many of those moments, that you think about and instantly smile because everyone had such a fun time.
The part that stuck out the most to me was the sharing session. All the inbounds separated from the outbounds, going into our own rooms and had our own meetings. It was about 2 hours of a very deep talk of all the feelings we felt as we are about to embark on our adventure. Although it is very exciting, there are a lot of emotions that come out as you prepare to leave. The sharing session showed me that I wasn't the only person feeling the things I though about, and that we are all in this together. It made me feel a lot better about everything that was going through my head.

I had such an amazing time, and I wouldn't change anything about it at all.

(some are be missing from this photo, but this is most of the exchange students - inbound and outbound)


Thanks for reading, take care! :)

And all is revealed... :D !

I found out where I will be going in Switzerland!! The city is called Basel and it's in an amazing spot. It's at the top of Switzerland and touched TWO OTHER countries!! It touches Germany AND France. As I read about it, a website stated that many people work in Switzerland, shop in France and party in Germany. I can't wrap my head around that!! Since Canada is SO large, it's hard to wrap my head around that ...
If it's possible, I'd love to stand at the point that attaches the three countries, standing in THREE countries at once!! That'd be really really cool, but we'll see if that's possible...

Here's Basel on a map :

Tomorrow morning I will be heading off to Ottawa for four days. We will be doing some really exciting things like: staying at University of Ottawa, going to museums like the Canadian War Museum and the Museum of Human Civilization. We will also be doing a Haunted Walk Tour and have free time around Ottawa! Also, we'll be going to Parliament Hill and the Supreme Court of Canada. I'm happy we go there so that I'll know the answers to the questions people will ask me about the government here, while I am off in Switzerland!

I will post a blog afterwards telling you how it was... I'm very excited to see everyone again. The inbound and outbound exchange students are all attending so it'll be very fun!

Take care,
have a great long weekend! :)