Frozen Tundra

Another day in Ottawa�.
The sun did come out today and shined down on the frozen tundra. It’s the first sunshine I’ve seen since I arrived here.
Yesterday late afternoon we visited the Canadian Parliament. There was some security when trying to view the parliament in session, however there was hardly any security while getting into the actual building. Very different than what you�d see at the U.S. Capitol. While in the building, there was a registry where people could leave their condolences to the British Royal family for their loss of the Queen Mum. I left my signature there. In fact there has been much more news coverage of the Queen Mum�s death on Canadian TV compared to US television. Canada is still part of the commonwealth, so they have a kinship to the Royal Family.
Speaking of �royal,� the famous Royal Canadian mounted police are not necessarily mounted on horses. I did see a police car with RCMP on it.
There�s a river that runs through Ottawa, which people skate on during winter. It�s the world�s longest skating rink.
Canadians have a weird accent. Sometimes it is difficult to understand them. But then again, we southerners like myself have some weird vernacular.
Speaking of cultural differences, here’s my experience at a local McDonald’s. I�m sure the lady at the McDonald�s thought I was crazy. Yesterday morning I went in and asked for a sausage and biscuit. She said they didn�t have biscuits � instead they had English muffins. I told her that it was fine. The total was $3.30. Not knowing exactly if I had the correct change, but thinking that I gave her at least $3.75. Instead the mystery 75 cent piece I thought I gave her, turned out to be a 25 cent piece. Instead I had to break a $5. Canadians don�t have any bills lower than $5, so I ended up with a lot of coins in my pocket.
There has been talk of Quebec succeeding from the Canadian union. They�ve voted on it before and are sure to vote on it again. My boss, who grew up in Montreal, but moved to North Carolina, says that Quebec�s separation is inevitable. Once the Quebec succession happens, it will be the end of Canada, as we know it. He predicts that some provinces will ask to become part of the US.
I leave for the US tomorrow afternoon. I�ll be glad to get back home to warmer weather.