Morning!

I am now writing to you from Ottawa in Ontario. I arrived last night where I was greeted by Kevin (Katharina's friend) and his brother with beer, chat and music! We had a nice chilled evening in which was exactly what I needed after the nightmare that is Montreal.

As mentioned before, there were no locks on my dorm in the hostel in Montreal and I was the only person in the dorm and the only girl in the hostel! I put my 23kg suitcase against the door to block it and as predicted, at least twice in the early hours of the morning someone tried to come into the dorm. Suddenly I am quite glad my suitcase weighs so much.

After very little sleep, I went into town in Montreal and decided that I was just going to shop… so I did. Probably wasn't the most sensible idea but it made me appreciate Montreal more!!!

In the afternoon I headed to the park where I walked around for a few hours. The park there is actually a small mountain Mont Royal so when you reach the top you can see the city over the skyscrapers. No need to pay the $15 to go up their sightseeing tower then! There is also a big metal cross that lights up at night. It looks like something out of Dogma. Wish I'd seen it at night now! There were loads of people in the park, jogging, walking their dogs, cycling and even a couple of guys on uni cycles going up the hill!!!

After my afternoon stroll I headed back to the hostel where luckily my bags remained untouched and headed for the bus station. Once again, not a single person help me, red faced and struggling down the stairs with my suitcase, rucksack and ski boot bag. I just got stared at again and if anything received some annoyed sighs and grunts at how slow I was moving! Maybe from now on I should treat every city here like London! Needless to say I was happy to get on that bus out of Montreal. Great shopping there though if you have the money!

I am looking forward to my few days in Ottawa. This afternoon I am heading to a hockey match, another thing ticked of my Canada to do list! Tomorrow I plan to satisfy my geeky side and visit the Parliamentary buildings and the Supreme Court and apparently you can even sit in on some sessions in the House of Commons.

Hope you have all enjoyed a lazy Sunday and roast dinner!

Elodie

XxX