One of the great things about living in the capital city of Canada is that it sometimes manages to get things right when it comes to “putting on a good show”. Ottawa wants to be a tourist destination, and rightfully so: it is a beautiful city that has a vibrant cultural life (though I won’t get started on the state of the National Arts Centre Orchestra) and a great deal to offer children of all ages, the old and the young at heart. While I’m not sure what category I may fall into at times, I love living in this city with its diversity and endless chain of festivals and events that make this such a wonderful place to live.Rideau Canal, 2003 (Watson)
Ottawa is famous for several things, one of which is the Rideau Canal which, when frozen, becomes the longest skating rink in the world at 7.8 kilometres. While I can’t say that I am an avid skater (having skated only a handful of times ever), it is very hard to not succumb to lure of the canal. The picture you see of the canal is the only photo in this post that I did not take over the Christmas holiday and this weekend during the Winterlude festival.Enjoy some images of the capital of the Great White North … and yes … it is as cold as it looks.
Photos taken with a Kodak EasyShare
C643 digital camera @ 6.1 mp.
Winter Scenes, 2006-2007 and
Ice Sculptures from Winterlude 2007
(© 2007 by Amsel)
3 comments:
Yes, it was cold - especially when I took the pictures of the ice sculptures ... in fact, after taking the pictures, I could barely feel my fingers! Alas, using a camera with gloves on is not such an easy task.
As for leaving this weather for the desert ... well, all I can say for that is ... at least we don't have to worry about other things falling from the sky (like "iron" rain, and other nasty surprises).
Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the pictures of the ice sculptures - I haven't been able to get down to see them this year (and it IS cold!. There is beauty in ice to be sure, but it is sad that most creative efforts either melt away or don't get seen in the first place.
Hi Pansies - yes, it's cold (I'm hiding inside today!) ... but I'm not so sure about ice sculptures lasting. One of the things that makes them so special is that you know when you see them that you are seeing something temporary - that you are sharing in a moment in time that only a few people can share in (unless someone photographs them, which isn't the same thing).
It's the same thing with sand castles ... wonderful things can be made in sand, and then the ocean reclaims the creations, erasing the efforts of the artists.
In a way, it is the perfect metaphor for true creativity: all the things wrought by the hands of humanity are temporary; regardless what materials we may use, the work is but a grain of sand compared to the mountains that have been shaped over millions of years.
Oh well ... perhaps another post ...
Thanks again,
-p
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