In May, eleven FFNEO Ambassadors in five cars did a journey road trip to neighbors in the North – Ottawa and Gatineau Canada. Living so close to Canada, we in NE Ohio think we know a lot about Canadians but in true Friendship Force style of home stays, now we know so much more! It was so interesting to see the dual cultures, languages and histories of this region.
We give our most sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the members of FF of Canada Capitol Region for their friendship and hospitality but particularly our home hosts, dinner hosts and day hosts.
Here are a FEW of the highlights of things that we saw and did…
5/14 – Arrivals to our hosts and Welcome Dinner at Chez Fatima in Gatineau for a delicious Moroccan, Mediterranean buffet. Members gave us quite a welcome!
5/15/24 – We visited the stables of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police which is the national police service of Canada, providing police services under contract to 11 provinces and territories, over 150 municipalities, and 600 Indigenous communities.
5/15/24 – Our group had a guided tour of Rideau Hall, the home of the Governor General of Canada. Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a parliament comprised of the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons. With an evolving role that predates Confederation, the governor general acts on behalf of the Sovereign, Canada’s head of State.
5/15 – In the afternoon, the group enjoyed time in Commissioners Park featuring Ottawa’s famous and annual Tulip Festival. In 1945, Canadian troops played a key role in liberating the Netherlands. In gratitude, the Dutch government has sent Canada a gift of tulip bulbs every year since.
5/16 – By motorcoach, our group was taken to Parc Omega in Montebello to see Canada’s beautiful wildlife in a natural setting
5/16 – After Omega Park and a delicious lunch, we visited Fairmont Le Château Montebello, known as the world’s largest ‘log cabin’
5/17 – Today, we had a double-decker bus tour of Ottawa – what a fun way to see this beautiful city. After lunch, many went walking and ended up in Byward Market. Here, a group of young people posed for a photograph in this pedestrian walking area with so many interesting shops.
5/18 – We all enjoyed our visit to the Canadian Museum of History and learned so much about Canada’s history and cultures. Afterward, we took a boat ride down the Rideau Canal, such an important waterway in the region.
5/19 – This was a free day and we ended up away from the city to a visit to Diefenbunker Museum, a large underground four-story reinforced bunker. Between 1957 and 1961, the Government of Canada authorized this location as the Central Emergency Government Headquarters. It remains as it was in the 60s – quite a step back in time!
5/19 – Well, all good things must come to an end. Our Farewell Dinner was delicious and fun with music and stories of the week shared by both Ambassadors and Hosts. We again thank this club for their planning and time to give us such a wonderful journey experience and so many memories.
