Oh Canada, our home and native land...

Leaving Québec and entering Ontario today was immediately marked with bilingual road signs (English being first). I didn't think it would be so difficult to switch back into English because it had only been about 6 days in Québec. I guess because the transition was so short (unlike the plane ride from France back to USA) and the landscape seemlessly transitioned between provinces. We spent the day and tonight in Ottawa - about 1.5 hours from Montréal. It was nice for Sophie to see the Parliament Buildings, the Prime Minister's and governor general's houses, the changing of the guards at Rideau Hall, the Canadian War Memorial, the Château Laurier and the Rideau Canal which is filled with ice skaters in winter.

As for language, there was a distinct mixture between English and French - more English than French - but several conversations that I "overhead" switched between the two languages freely within the same discussion. I noticed this happened in particular with younger adults. In stores and restaurants, you were greeted with "Hello/Bonjour" and left to choose. I think as we get deeper into Ontario tomorrow as we move towards Toronto and Niagara Falls, the French tag will disappear.

We found ourselves experiencing a rather emotional reaction to an outdoor spectacle this evening. Projected on the Parliament Buildings, there is a nightly light and sound show (similar to the one in Québec City as apparently this is la nouvelle vogue for outdoor spectacles!) This show, called MosAika, told the story of Canada and its diverse peoples. It was a wonderful show, very well done, and covered all of the elements of what is so often difficult to define: Canadian culture. Music, famous faces, provincial landscapes and history lessons made this a great panorama and everyone in the audience was moved- especially sitting outside under the stars in front of Canada's incomparable Parliament. I have never been in Ottawa during the Canada Day celebrations on July 1, but I'm sure they are spectacular. If any of our students want to travel after the program is finished, this would be a good destination to not only learn more about Canada and see the sights, but also to continue to practice their French as it is all around us.

I should have brought my "I AM Canadian" t-shirt. I suddenly feel like wearing it.