1896 posts 6/30/2013 10:50 am
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Dominion, Moving or Canada Day - whatever it's called Enjoy anyway
It was my privilege to visit Canada in 2013
and I fell in love with the country and the people and the customs there.
I did not visit as an ordinary tourist but as a guest of some Canadian residents which allowed me experience Canada as a Canadian might see it.
The Irish Canadian Connection.
The first Irish arrived in 1536 and settled in Newfoundland, but many were to follow particularly during the Irish Famine years of 1844-48 with about 4 million Canadians today claiming Irish descent.
Eternal Flame, Parliament Building, Ottawa | In 1866 the Fenian Movement, which was dedicated to freeing Ireland from English rule, invaded Canada with, initially, the support of the United States and the French Canadians, seeking also to free Canada from English rule. While the invasion was a failure, one year later, in 1867, the British North America Act was passed by the United Kingdom Parliament granting the then Dominion of Canada some self rule. It is this act that is celebrated on the 1st July ever since, initially known as Dominion Day and recently renamed to Canada Day.
The history of Canada proves to be fascinating, particularly for me with it's Irish connection. Even today there are close cultural ties between Ireland and the province of Newfoundland. | However, the Province of Quebec, with it's different political outlook, celebrate, as their national holiday, Jean-Baptiste Day a week earlier. Weather dictated that landlords could not evict tenants before the 1st May, while the snows lasted so many one year leases ended on this day. This was changed to the 1st July to avoid students having to move in the middle of college year. So the 1st July became "Moving Day" in Quebec and this tradition remains to this day.
The Canadian Confederation, celebrated by the Eternal Flame photographed above, continued to expand from it's initial size of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with Nunavut joining as recently as 1999. | 
D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub, Ottawa |
My Visit.
 | While in Canada I had the privilege of getting to understand some of the history and culture of the country. While not "into" museums too much the Canadian Museum of Civilization gives a fascinating insight into the history of all Canadian peoples including the original settlers and the arrival of the Europeans.
There were tall Totem Poles, carved by the First Nations peoples, exhibitions displaying their daily lifestyle, the story of the Metis peoples, not to mention the artwork of the Inuit. Canada in a nutshell one could call it. |
Equally interesting was visiting a genuine "Sugar Shack" where the Maple tree is tapped and fresh Maple Syrup made each spring. We even poured hot Maple Syrup onto snow, let it cool and wrapped it around sticks to eat like lollipops. I got to visit both the D'Arcy McGee Building and Irish Pub in Ottawa and got to try Guinness flavoured Poutine, a traditional dish of Chips, Gravy and Cheese curds. Chinatown in Montreal and Gatineau Park were on the list too, not to mention a trip to the Lafleur Steak House in the Kahnawake Reserve, Montreal and Complex 222 St-Constant, which meant so much to her.
All in all mixing with the local people, with and open mind and open ears, gave me a wonderful insight into the country we call Canada. |  | Poutine Recipe
Regular deep Fried Chips (French Fries),
Cheese Curds or chopped/shredded cheese,
Gravy of your choice,
served steaming to in a bowl with Salt and Pepper to taste. |
There are many more things I would write about, I lost my heart to Canada and am sure that I will return someday soon.
So whether you are Canadian by birth or just a blow-in, whatever you are doing, whatever the connection -
Happy Canada Day!
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7327 posts 8/21/2013 11:05 am |
Quoting silk_petal_rose:
JUST came across your blog....Thank you for all the wonderful information you posted about us.....
I do believe that you enjoyed your visit...
I just saw your comment, yes I enjoyed Canada and the people and will be back again, just not sure when.
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2363 posts 8/17/2013 5:19 pm |
JUST came across your blog....Thank you for all the wonderful information you posted about us.....
I do believe that you enjoyed your visit...
silky... 
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7327 posts 7/5/2013 1:18 pm |
That's so nice of you to say, thank you Astra!
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7327 posts 7/4/2013 4:31 pm |
Quoting sweet_VM:
Ty for an amazing journey sure did bring back some fond memories for me of a place I did call home for work.  Hugs V
You are welcome, I can see how anyone can fall in love with the place, although I stayed in Gatineau for my few days, to me it was all the same place.
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7327 posts 7/4/2013 4:28 pm |
We are still stunk on Curry Sauce with everything, but have heard of Chili-Cheese fries somewhere. I must say I enjoyed my visit more then I had anticipated.
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7327 posts 7/4/2013 4:26 pm |
Quoting kukoocock:
I did not realise the Fenian movement got that far Gerk. Maybe in a few years when my nephew is settled I will get to travel there.
I didn't either (but we seem to get everywhere) but I did know the song "Ireland boys Hurrah" which my father tells me is about the invasion. It's always a too up between the States and Canada but I was more than pleasantly surprised by my visit, and I also discovered that flying to Canada via the USA can be cheaper than the flight to the USA alone (and I mean on the same plane) - go figure that one!
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5836 posts 7/3/2013 12:59 pm |
I did not realise the Fenian movement got that far Gerk. Maybe in a few years when my nephew is settled I will get to travel there.
 There are two kinds of light, the glow that illuminates & the glare that obscures. James Thurber
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7327 posts 7/3/2013 11:37 am |
But we all had chips and gravy here in Ireland, in fact one tended to have gravy with everything, that was before we had red sauce with everything and now it's curry sauce with everything, soon there will be curry sandwiches, or whatever is trending... but that aside there there is so much more to Canada than I thought just a few short years ago!
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81699 posts 7/1/2013 2:27 pm |
Ty for an amazing journey sure did bring back some fond memories for me of a place I did call home for work. Hugs V
Become a blog watcher sweet_vm
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81699 posts 7/1/2013 2:25 pm |
pastry looks like this really good when you skating on the canal.
Become a blog watcher sweet_vm
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81699 posts 7/1/2013 2:24 pm |
Another treat in Ottawa was in the market in the summer time and winter on the Canal. Beavertails.. yummy
BeaverTails pastries began when Grant and Pam Hooker decided to turn their family recipe for fried dough into a corporate business. They sold their first pastries at the Killaloe Craft and Community Fair in 1978. Two years later, the Hookers opened up the first BeaverTails stand in the Byward Market in Ottawa.
Become a blog watcher sweet_vm
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81699 posts 7/1/2013 2:19 pm |
Quoting GerK321Cum:
The Rideau Canal was empty when I visited, well the locks at Parliament Hill were anyway, they must have just defrosted the world's longest ice rink in time for summer, but it was amazing to walk along the bank down from Parliament hill and under the road and then up to D'Arcy Mcgees - where I the picture of me and poutine was taken. Ottawa has just some amazing parks all along the river.
Thanks for sharing the photographs - they add to the whole post.
Ottawa is beautiful not only in the spring, summer and fall but also the winter time. The canal is used for a big skating rink about 13 miles from Dows Lake to uptown pub you were at. See that pub was an awesome choice. I use to skate with friends go for some supper and a beer and skate back.. So lovely in the winter time too.. Here is another pic to show you Winter in the Capital City of Ontario.
Become a blog watcher sweet_vm
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7327 posts 7/1/2013 12:10 pm |
Quoting FMAOPLS:
You already know how much I love, love, love these truly informative posts of yours, and that is such a great tribute to Canada, on her birthday.
I am just so very disappointed that you were here, and he had not yet "met" yet.
I could have toured you around the Rocky Mountains of BC and Alberta.
This whole post was just wonderful. Thank you.
PS: When I get to Ireland, you can be one of my tour guides.
LOL if you ever make it over I am sure that there are many places worth visiting and would love to see the Rocky Mountains I have only ever seen films and pictures. But I know I will be back to visit and may get around a lot more than I did, at least the circumstances will be different.
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7327 posts 7/1/2013 12:02 pm |
Quoting sugarcane221:
Happy Canada day to you also, I am glad you enjoyed your visit to our country and the history. Poutine is the best . Hug,s sugar
Hi Sugar, the people were just so wonderful, the circumstances may not have been as desired, but they were warm and welcoming and understanding, and so proud of their country, sure some rubbed of on me, is it any wonder.
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7327 posts 7/1/2013 12:00 pm |
LOL it was a French Canadian that taught me so much about Canada and all the bits about being from Quebec and being a Quebecois. They did not celebrate Canada Day but rather Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day a week before, but she was against Quebec joining the U.S.A. but am sure her and her family enjoyed the day off work.
You certainly have traveled and seen some places that we dreamed of... but sadly she will never see, but she did live a dream of seeing part of Ireland, enough of that!
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7327 posts 7/1/2013 11:42 am |
Hello submonkey - thanks for your visit, hope you found some parts interesting - thanks!
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7327 posts 7/1/2013 11:40 am |
Quoting sweet_VM:
Gerk you never told us when you were in Ottawa and Quebec? I could have been there when you were there. Transportation on the canal.
Another great photo to add to the collection.
I had no idea myself what I was doing when I visited, the plans and organisation was not under my control and I had to fit in with others.
Next time I will be better organised and maybe even know what I'm doing.
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7327 posts 7/1/2013 10:19 am |
It is a beautiful city, with the river and the parks and the museums were fascinating, got to see some dinosaur bones too.
I prefer salt and vinegar myself, but suppose I could buy some curry chips just for you!
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7327 posts 7/1/2013 10:14 am |
Quoting sweet_VM:
In May I remember going around looking at all the lovely tulips down the whole part of the Canal. So beautiful too hugs V
The history of the invasion of the Tulip bulbs from the Netherlands is interesting... Canada sheltered some of the Netherlands Royal Family during the second world war and, as a mark of gratitude Ottawa received 100,000 tulip bulbs - they were just starting to appear above the ground when I was there, the thaw had just set in as can be seen by the very high water levels in the river.
Thanks again for adding your pictures.
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7327 posts 7/1/2013 10:05 am |
Quoting sweet_VM:
Here is a great pic of the canal in Ottawa and at night with all the lights. Best fireworks in Canada is on 1 July too..
The Rideau Canal was empty when I visited, well the locks at Parliament Hill were anyway, they must have just defrosted the world's longest ice rink in time for summer, but it was amazing to walk along the bank down from Parliament hill and under the road and then up to D'Arcy Mcgees - where I the picture of me and poutine was taken. Ottawa has just some amazing parks all along the river.
Thanks for sharing the photographs - they add to the whole post.
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7327 posts 7/1/2013 9:58 am |
Quoting pal334:
I have only been to Niagra Falls as a kid, but that a visit would be nice
Hello and welcome to my little space in blogland. Niagara Falls would be brilliant to see and experience, there are lots of surprises waiting to be discovered once you have the time and the inside track on things - the photos and tour guides cannot do justice to the real thing.
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7327 posts 7/1/2013 9:55 am |
Quoting net_girl_2000:
Very interesting and informative post, you really put your heart and soul into your blogs, have just had a very special friend return from working in Canada... ....will say no more ....hugs x....
Am sure with your friend home from Canada you will get the inside track!!!! Thank you for the compliment on the blog posts, they do take a little time to get the layout right and choosing the right photographs and stuff, but I enjoy doing it and the finished product!
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7/1/2013 5:26 am
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Happy Canada day to you also, I am glad you enjoyed your visit to our country and the history. Poutine is the best . Hug,s sugar
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10383 posts 6/30/2013 9:49 pm |
Romance her heart, tease her body, enjoy the company shared in bed n out! Treasure every moment spent together, in good times n bad! Cum visit my blog, you're always welcum!  submokey Become a watcher!  THINK PINK!
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81699 posts 6/30/2013 9:21 pm |
Gerk you never told us when you were in Ottawa and Quebec? I could have been there when you were there. Transportation on the canal.
Become a blog watcher sweet_vm
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