Happening Ottawa

There is one day in the year when Ottawa becomes ultra cool, and hip enough to warrant a visit. Having been confined to studying in Ottawa for 3 odd years, it is a city-town I would NEVER settle down in. Don't get me wrong. It's a great city to raise kids and do wholesome things but I am all about vice and decadence, so a small government town mostly bores me to death. However, Ottawa isn't small and boring as much it is wholly pleasing to the eye and senses.
Come July 1, Parliament Hill turns into a big party zone and tourists south of the border line up, outside various museums that display anything from war memorabilia to boring coins. Toursists from within the country tan their backs the entire day and reserving spots while waiting for their favourite Canadian band, Great Big Sea.
Kids run around with Canadian flags painted on, strapped on, hatted, booted or occasionally the maple leaf is replaced with the cannabis and the flag becomes a cape and declaration of one's smoking choices. Then there are the frat beer-guzzling boys with blonde girlfriends running up and down Wellington street, looking for lost friends.
Whatever you fancy, Canada Day in Ottawa offers you a choice.
Such is the spirit of Canada Day that I caught parents who thought their child's poo was so cute that they made him rest over his dirty diaper, stuck a Canadian flag in and took a photo.
Amen!