Ottawa is pretty in a classic, Hugh Jackman way...not a trendy, Heath Ledger way. The many levels of government make sure that this is a green city. There are lots of parks, bike paths and other outdoorsy stuff in the heart of the city. For information on such things, visit the NCC or the City of Ottawa Recreation on the Web.

As always, I would strongly suggest driving as little as possible, particularly if you're going downtown from the West End. Somerset Street turns into Wellington, which turns in Richmond Road...and a chunk of all three are under construction. Added to the misery is work being done on Scott and a closed Queensway ramp at Parkdale. It might be a good idea to go see what's being torn up here. Public transit is good, I promise. There are even good views from the Transitway, I swear! See OC Transpo's website for details.

On to June...
After far too long, I'm back, freshly-graduated, unemployed, and still living at home. And I turned 24 on the May 2-4 weekend. The fireworks weren't for sodding Queen Victoria, it was all about me, dammit!

Anyhoo, Ottawa in June can be blistering hot sometimes, so pack your sunscreen and, when you get here, put together a picnic. My suggestion is to hit a bakery (L'Ami des Gourmet on Murray St. is a good one) in the market, a fruit and veg stand in market, and a store selling bottled water (not necessarily in the market, but you'll need it to wash down the fruit and veg).

Bring your food to Nepean Point (that's where the National Gallery is), Parliament Hill (that's the place on all the postcards), or Major's Hill Park (that's the big green place between the Byward Market and Parliament.)

Speaking of Parliament, see if it's in session. Witness the dismantling of the Canadian Alliance – live! Go here for info.

Do you like to row? Sure, we all do. The Ottawa Rowing Club has beginner workshops all summer. I am working on de-flabbification and acquiring the upper body strength to lift something other than a pencil, and then I'll go myself. But this isn't about me. Or is it?

Are you interested in shopping in a poshish, preppy area of town? From downtown, walking along the canal will bring you to the Glebe. I say walk because generally parking is a bloody nightmare. Some good shops in that area include Arbour, the hippie Enviro Shoppe, The Papery, and Octopus Books. Also highly recommended are the Arrow and Loon Pub (buffalo burgers are de-lish, not that I eat them anymore), the Royal Oak Glebe (any Royal Oak is a good place to stop, really), Kamals (kick-ass Lebanese food) or either of the two excellent Indian restaurants in that neighbourhood.

Anyway y'all, here's some scheduled stuff you can do around town:

For club listings, get thyself to the Ottawa X-Press website.

Zaphods I and II are highly recommended. Raise a Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster in honour of Douglas Adams, won't you?

Barrymore's is quite good too. More rocky, which I dig.

Hull has a casino. It's allegedly the largest tourist attraction in the region (hallo? Parliament Hill???). And guess what? There's a Rock'n'Country Festival there this month.

At the Museum of Civilization, you can find all sorts of cool stuff. Permanent exhibitions are worth the prince of admission. However, I would suggest that you visit the "O Pelourinho! Popular Art from the Historic Heart of Brazil", "Full Circle: First Contact Vikings & Skraelings in Newfoundland & Labrador" and the "Emergence from the Shadow: First People's Photographic Perspectives" exhibitions. Take the #8 bus from downtown.

The Canadian Museum of Nature has an exhibit on Meerkats, my favourite, er, kat. You can walk here from downtown by walking down Metcalfe or take the #6 bus.

Wow. That was an uncharacteristically short write-up. Sorry. The big festival season is in the next couple of months, so I'll have plenty more to go on then. Ray Charles is coming to town!! But enough rambling. Enjoy your June, y'all.

Questions?
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