The Montreal Visit Adventure!

I was really lucky to have my exams finish on the 11th of December, some students don't finish their exams until the 22nd. Bronwyn and Dad came up to the big-poutine city for a retrieval visit. They launched away from Guelph in the wee hours of the morning and arrived close to lunch. While my dad slept in my comfy bed, Bronwyn and I hit the town. I bought her a disposable-film camera so she could take her own pictures of the adventure. We took the Metro to the Pie-IX Station and did the Biodome tour.

Posing in the Biodome, St.Laurent Exhibit.

Amazonian Fish, and the instant camera!

Bronwyn Outside the Olympic Stadium.

After the Biodome, we headed back on the Metro and went back home to my apartment. Bronwyn, my dad and I then went out for dinner downtown at a retro diner style restaurant. They ordered poutine, and I had a salad for starters. My dad ordered a massive smoked meat sand which, Bronwyn had a little burger and I had a vegetable primavera. It was a welcome change from my cheap college meals.

Posing in an alley-way... her idea.

In the Apple Store!

Our dinner at the diner: Nickel's Restaurant.

Driving home in the early morning!

Donkey Sanctuary!

Bronwyn, Morgan (2nd Cousin), my mother and I all headed out to The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada during its holiday open-house hours. It was a great winter family experience, a super close drive to Guelph! They simply ask for a small donation per person and that you respect the rules. You can move through at your own pace and enjoy the peaceful barnyard setting back from any main-roads.

All of the donkeys, mules and hinnies are tame, quiet, calm and restful and are extremely gentle with children and everyone else. Donkeys are furrier than horses, and are super soft, the staff left several brushed lying around so kids could groom them. The staff was a mixed group of women who had no problem talking with guests and teaching visitors about donkeys amidst their chores and duties. I love all animals and any organization who takes care of those in need, these donkeys are well taken care-of and enjoy a lovely facility.

For Christmas they had lights strung up in the barn rafters, and bails of hay to form a sitting area in a reading nook right next to the indoor pens, with Donkey story books for children to read with parents. It was a bit cold, but they provided free hot cider and hot-chocolate and a small fire pit near the entrance, there were spruce and cedar bows decorating the fences and barn, too picturesque! It's the perfect time to go, the mud was frozen and no-one got dirty!

To learn more about The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, visit their website, by clicking the hyperlink!

Cocoa the Standard Donkey!

Super curious and gentle!

Say: Cheese girls!

The heart is seen through the eyes.

...a bit of grooming

Admiring the do.

My Brief Encounter with Ottawa

On my way to Peterborough for Nationals, I had a quick lay over in Ottawa! There I got to see some very good friends; Lyon and Erin. Erin is at the University of Ottawa and Lyon is finishing high school there. I was so happy to see them! I can't wait for them to visit me, here in Montreal! They best part about visiting Ottawa when I did, was that no one was there! I had the whole "classic" tour with only a few tourists and my friends. (It was at 8:30am) Here are some pictures, enjoy!

Lyon and his handmade long-board, (beautiful!)

standing by the Women's Rights Statues.

Erin and I enjoying hot chocolate in a cafe, in the market, where Obama visited.

It had lots of baked-goods! Canada-cookies!

Canadian Parliament building,

so much pride, so much disappointment (Haha)