Today we explored again Canadian history and culture. We started our morning at the Eternal Flame, in front of the Peace Tower of Parliament, before embarking on a tour of the House of Commons. There was many curious questions from the kids about the process of passing bills and laws. We also learned that due to renovations, the central tower—once home to both the House of Commons and the Senate—has temporarily relocated, and the House of Commons now resides in the West Block.
After this fascinating visit, we enjoyed a lunch in a unique room of the East Block, where our host, Sue Holloway, shared her inspiring career as a trailblazing Olympian. Sue made history as the first female athlete to compete in both the Winter and Summer Olympics. In 1976, she participated in cross-country skiing at the Winter Olympics and later competed in kayak at the Summer Olympics in the same year—an incredible achievement that made her a true pioneer in the world of sports. At 22, she decided to focus her efforts on one sport, which led her to win two medals in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Her advice to our athletes was to always say yes to opportunities (except for drugs), which had everyone laughing—especially when Sam jokingly asked if that meant jumping off a cliff! Sue also shared her experience on a survival of the Fittest TV show, adding another thrilling chapter to her story. She had her 2 medals and the kids had a chance to look at them.
Next, we visited the Senate, which is temporarily housed in an old train station. The first group had the special opportunity to meet three senators. Afterward, we enjoyed some free time shopping at Ottawa’s ByWard Market before heading to Larrimac for an afternoon of tobogganing. The conditions were perfect, with fast slopes and varied terrains that kept everyone entertained.
As the day drew to a close, we put on our skis and glided along the beautiful Gatineau River to the Cascades Club, which is part of a multi-sport trail built along an old railway track. The day ended with a delicious sugar shack meal, provided by our wonderful host parents, and the lively sounds of Acadian music. Greg and Dan started playing, and before long, everyone was dancing, guided by a professional dance leader who kept the energy high and the laughs flowing. We acknowledge the long distance that the athlete done last Saturday during our own marathon and, as a tradition in Chelsea Nordiq, we handed over medals to celebrate their milestone!
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