My sister and I went on a trip to Ottawa, Canada in May. We spent about 36 hours on a Greyhound bus (round trip) and even stood in line at the New York City bus terminal at about three in the morning---a tale for a lifetime!
I was invited to attend my granddaughter's First Holy Communion and reception party. My granddaughter's other side of the family is Lebanese and the affair was held in Ottawa where many in the family reside. I bought two tickets to fly out of Newark, NJ airport. My sister was my traveling partner. After a nice limo ride to the airport we stayed at a nearby hotel so that we could board the plane early the next morning. Once we were at the airport and ready to get the tickets we were denied because I had only what is called a passport card. This can get you to Canada but only if you are driving. So then we had a dilemma, go home or try for the 16 hour ride on a Greyhound bus. So my sister agreed to stick with me and we went to New York to board the bus. The bus on the way up was not too crowded but it began to rain heavily and the bus leaked right where I was sitting and of course you have to stop at customs. It rained so much there was flooding by the time we reached Canada over the New York border and we passed by a few rescue stations. Schools were dismissed and students helped fill sand bags that were being used to control the water. Life vests were hanging on lines ready for the rescues. It was such an ordeal we began to think about how we were going to get home. We thought we would take a train back or even a short land trip over the border, then catch a flight to fly home but neither solution was to be. So we had to trace our way back using the Greyhound buses but this time in very crowded conditions. It was exhausting. We had a 20 hour trip home because we had to go into Philadelphia so that my son could pick us up there in the terminal at dawn. Neither one of us slept a wink and I am 70 and my sister is 68 and recently had a hip replacement surgery. It was a challenge and we thought of it as a survivalist adventure.
So I will not add any more details about that grueling trip but I will tell about our stay at the Andaz Hilton in Ottawa. We had a great time enjoying the Lebanese hospitality and the joyful celebration honoring my granddaughter's and her triplet cousin's communion. My sister was eager to participate in the Lebanese dance traditions but I had just as much fun watching others. I am not posting family photos but we also got to visit some featured sites near the Andaz Hyatt in Ottawa. Despite the rainy cold spring weather we enjoyed The Ottawa National Gallery and the Notre Dame Basilica. The historic Byward market was great---good restaurants, bakeries and artisans stands selling their unique creations. The market goes back to 1826. It is Ottawa's number one tourist attraction. The Andaz was one of the better hotels that I have stayed in. We had a view of the market and in the distance we could see the Parliament building.
Ottawa's National Gallery:
My sister Betty enjoying the art at the National Gallery in Ottawa:
Notre Dame Basilica:
Byward Market Sights:
