Last year around March, our PLP 8 class participated in a contest run by the government organization Heritage Canada, known as the Here’s My Canada contest. This is an annual contest that encourages Canadian citizens young and old to share what Canada means to them through a media form of their choice. Being in a technology focused program, our class decided to make videos. My video was focused on Canada’s beautiful nature and landscapes, and around a month or so after submitting it, I got some exciting news. I had won! This meant that I would receive a new iPad and a trip to Ottawa for Canada’s 150th birthday. This was an amazing  opportunity for me, and if you want to know all about the trip, read on!

(If you want to know more about the contest, click here)

Day 1

On June 27, our plane left for Ottawa, and I was very excited. We landed in the evening, so we had a meet and greet with the chaperones and other winners of the contest and headed off to our hotel rooms. The next day was when our trip truly began. We started off the day with some free time to explore Ottawa, and since our hotel was right in the middle of the city, we were able to see many amazing and famous things. We first went to watch the changing of the guard, then take a quick walk by Parlement Hill, which looked magnificent against the bright, blue sky.

After lunch was when we did our first  group activity, visiting Rideau Hall, home of the Govener General. We actually got to meet the Governor General, and then show him our contest entries. After that we toured the massive Rideau Hall and learned many facts about parlement. Later in the evening, we went out for a group dinner and the winners of the contest received Canada Day swag such as hats, scarfs, and flags, along with some more valuable prizes such as a Canada 150 coin collection from the Mint.

              Me meeting the Governor General

Day 2 

Our second day in Ottawa started bright and early as we ate breakfast and prepared for our tour of Laurier House. Laurier House was the original house where the Prime Minister would live (starting with it’s name sake, Wilfrid Laurier respectively). It only however, housed two Prime Ministers (another being Mckenzie King) before 24 Sussex Drive became the official house of the head of the country. The house was amazing, for it was kept in the near exact condition it was left in when it was being occupied.

After our visit to Laurier House, we went to see the RCMP stables. We first visited the visitor center and learned about the Mountie’s history, and then got a behind the sences tour with all of the horses. Later in the week at the Canada Day Parade, we actually got to see the horses being ridden along with them pulling the chariot where the royals were in.

My visit the the RCMP stables

Day 3 

Now the winning submissions for the Here’s My Canada contest didn’t just go on their website, but in the Canadian Museem of History!!! Not far from the entrance, all of our art, poems, pictures, and videos were displayed, and it was awesome to see them when we visited the museum. The museum also had many other interesting exhibits including and indigenous section, an immigration section, and even a hockey section! It was really cool being able to visit the official museum of Canada, especially when I saw my own work in it!

Later in the day was our tour of the Royal Canadian Mint. This is the mint where collectors and limited edition coins are created, and has collections of some of the rarest coins in history. We learned about the coin making process, and how everything it checked countless times for even the smallest imperfections. It was quite the interesting tour, and I even got to hold a solid gold brick!

Day 4 

Day four of our trip was probably the biggest day, because it was Canada Day! We started out the morning getting all of our Canada Day gear on and ready to go, then head out onto the streets to witness people from across the country gather to celebrate. It was amazing seeming the streets of Ottawa packed with people as far as the eye can see. Luckily for us, we were in the VIP section for the show, so we got to skip the huge lines and sit in sheltered tents.

The celebration started off with the morning ceremonies, which included indigenous recognition, the loudest Oh Canada you’ll ever here, and introducing the figure heads at the event. Then came to officials parade, and it was then that I got to do something amazing. I got to meet the Dutechss, the Prince, and the Prime Minister himself! This is truly something I will remember for the rest of my life.

After the morning ceremonies, we were dismissed to explore the festivals set up in the area for the event, and then were to return by nightfall for the evening show. This was the more entertainment section of the celebration, including music, dancing, and even a performance by Alessia Cara. Then, around midnight, came the fireworks. Being in the VIP section, we got to actually go behind the parlement building and on the hill to watch the fireworks being launched from all directions. It was definitely the experience of a life time, and I’m so glad I was there to see it!

Me outside of Parlement Hill

Day 5

After a wonderful and magnificent trip, it was finally time to start heading back home. My family decided to visit the Canadian Museum of Nature before heading out and got to get a good walk around the main city area. The trip has been phenomenal, and the funny thing is, I’m going on a field study there with my class next spring! Looking forwards to coming back!