Ottawa.Canada.2008.CH2

7.1慶祝國慶, 從加拿大各地來的人峰湧而入.

其中, 不乏背包客.

(Celebrating Canada Day on July 1st, people flock in from all over Canada, including many backpackers.)

喔喔~~ 這是真人爬竿子的特技表演嗎?

大家爬著竿子就為了目睹各種精彩的活動及表演,

相當有趣, 感覺好不熱鬧.

(Oh wow~~ Is this a live pole-climbing stunt performance? People are climbing poles just to catch a view of all the exciting activities and shows. Quite fun and so lively!)

加拿大國會 - Parliament Hill ( Colline du Parlement )

國會大樓, 晴空萬里當它的背景, 更感受到他的絕對至高權威 ,

大大的鐘就掛在正中央, 鐘樓兩側的樓房左右相等,

感覺跟我們的總統府很像的說.

國會大樓是加拿大實質最高政府的所在建築,

但在裡面工作的不只總理, 亦包含全國的議員,

由於加國總理是間接選舉制, 即是先由人民選出國會議員 ,

再由同黨國會議員選出總理, 這種制度又簡稱為"間選"(Indirect Election),

日本亦是用間選這種制度的.

臺灣李前總統推動首屆民選總統制度開始 ,

這如法國一樣, 都是直接由人民投票選出總統,

這種制度亦簡稱為"直選" (Direct Election).

(The Parliament Buildings, with clear blue skies as their backdrop, exude an aura of absolute authority. A large clock hangs right in the center with symmetrical wings on both sides—quite similar to Taiwan's Presidential Office Building. The Parliament Buildings house Canada's governing authority, where not only the Prime Minister but MPs from across the country work. Since Canada uses an indirect election system, citizens elect MPs, who then choose the Prime Minister from the ruling party. Japan also uses this indirect election system. Starting from former President Lee's push for direct presidential elections in Taiwan, citizens directly vote for the president, similar to France.)

拿著小國旗和國會大樓的合拍~

(Posing with a small national flag in front of the Parliament Buildings~)

大樓牆上的雕龍畫鳳 ,

細細的刻出各個代表加拿大的標誌,

同時亦不忘代表加拿大的大英國聯邦的印記.

(Intricate carvings on the building's walls delicately depict symbols representing Canada, while keeping the mark of the Commonwealth.)

各省代表的表演~

嘿~ 美眉的表演當然要拍下來嚕~^ ^

(Performances representing various provinces~ Hey, of course I have to take a photo of the girls' performance! ^ ^)

兩位皇家警察與KK的合照

(A photo of KK with two Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers.)

GERO~ KK軍曹報到!!!

(GERO~ Sergeant KK reporting for duty!!!)

Rideau Canal

位在國會大樓旁渥太華的Rideau運河,

冬天時河會結冰, 甚至可以在上面滑冰呢.

而那一閘一閘的東西, 是用來調整及隔離水位高度,

可以想成跟上下樓梯一樣,

船如果要爬上來, 則先打開第一閘然後關起來,

將水位加到跟第二閘一樣高時, 再打開第二閘, 船開進來,

然後再關起第二閘, 再將水位加到跟第三閘一樣高, 以此類推,

而要下樓梯則是剛好相反即是.

(The Rideau Canal next to the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. In winter, the river freezes over and people can even skate on it! Those locks are used to adjust and separate water levels, much like climbing stairs. If a boat wants to go up, the first lock opens and closes, water is filled to match the second lock, then the second lock opens for the boat to enter, and so on. Going down works in reverse.)

市中心甩火把的特技表演

(Street fire-spinning stunt performance in downtown.)

現場所拍的甩火把特技表演短片 (注意: 請勿模仿!!)

(Video clip of the fire-spinning stunt performance recorded on site )

首都街頭另一景, 國會大樓前的街道由於都在管制,

難得見到相當空曠的一景,

路燈上面插著的則是加拿大各省的省旗.

(Another view of the capital's streets. Since streets in front of Parliament are blocked off, it's rare to see such an open view. Flying from the lampposts are the provincial flags of Canada.)

進入國會大樓區域的管制,

嚴查攜帶危險物品及玻璃杯之類的物品.

越晚人越多, 若不說明, 還以為是什麼搶著見什麼電影名星呢.

(Security checks to enter the Parliament region, strictly checking for dangerous items and glass containers. As evening approaches, crowds grow so dense you'd think everyone was rushing to see a movie star.)

市區東側的商場區,

有加拿大相當出名的連鎖百貨 The Bay 還有連鎖書店Chapter

和其它商店及麥當當及各種不同類型的餐廳

街頭也有各種小吃灘和冰棒(限夏天)可以嘗鮮喔~

(The commercial district on the east side of downtown features famous Canadian chains like The Bay department store and Chapters bookstore, along with other shops, McDonald's, and diverse restaurants. Street food stalls and ice pops [summer only] are also available to try!)

拉馬車的女孩與馬兒相蹭的一刻, KK隨手拍下,

感覺這女孩跟這馬兒一定感情很好呢 ^ ^

幸福的馬兒, 有位好主人喔~

(A sweet moment captured between a carriage driver and her horse. They clearly share a deep bond ^ ^ Lucky horse to have such a caring owner~)

美國大使館, 層層防衛, 好嚴格的說.

(The U.S. Embassy, heavily guarded with strict security.)

Alexander Bridge ( Pont Alexander )

亞歷山大大橋, 跨越渥河, 連接渥京與魁北克的橋之一 ,

雖然渥京是位在安大略省,

但在劃分上, 大渥京地區是包括一部份魁北克省的土地,

這是由於當初英女王希望英法移民能夠更親近,

而否定了當初英國人希望建都多倫多的期望,

她期望不要在分什麼英國人, 法國人 ,

讓每個人都記得自己是加拿大人, 是同一國人,

而因此將最重要的首都定都於兩省(魁北克和安大略)之間,

渥京離蒙特婁約兩百公里, 離多倫多約四百公里.

而今天國慶晚上的煙火, 亦將在此橋的河岸旁發射,

讓魁安兩省的人都可以共賞國慶煙火

看地圖研究發現國家博物館外空地較多, 理論上視野較好 ,

因此我覺定到魁北克那一側看煙火.

(Alexandra Bridge crosses the Ottawa River, connecting Ottawa and Quebec. Although Ottawa is in Ontario, the National Capital Region spans parts of Quebec. Queen Victoria chose this location between the two provinces over Toronto, hoping British and French settlers would unite as Canadians rather than divide. Tonight's Canada Day fireworks will be launched along this riverbank for residents of both provinces to enjoy. Studying the map, the open lawn outside the museum on the Quebec side offers a better view, so I decided to watch from there.)

在橋上和國會大樓的再合拍

(Another photo with the Parliament Buildings from the bridge.)

渥太華河一景

(A view of the Ottawa River.)

到放煙火還有3小時(夏日天黑較晚),

在魁省邊的橋下邊看KK最喜歡的漫畫,

吹吹風, 曬曬太陽, 感覺好悠閒.

(Still 3 hours until the fireworks [it gets dark late in summer]. Sitting under the bridge on the Quebec side, reading my favorite manga, enjoying the breeze and sunshine—so relaxing.)

河上到處是各個家庭的小船 ,

價格其實跟車子差不多, 2萬~10萬加幣都有,

努力工作賺錢錢, 買艘船, 有空來這邊地釣釣魚也很不錯喔.

但要記得, 加拿大釣魚要記得買釣魚牌照喔~

(Private boats scattered across the river—prices are similar to cars, ranging from $20k to $100k CAD. Work hard, save up, buy a boat, and spend spare time fishing here! Just remember to buy a fishing license in Canada~)

魁省邊的法語搖滾歌唱, 浪漫的法語配上搖滾音樂,

高聲唱出, 加拿大生日快樂~ (Joyeux Anniversaire Canada)

(French rock performance on the Quebec side, blending romantic French lyrics with rock music, singing out loud: Happy Birthday Canada! [Joyeux Anniversaire Canada])

這面特別的旗子,

左邊的部份是安省(Ontario)旗, 右邊是魁省(Quebec)旗,

看著法裔加拿大婦女熱情的揮舞著,

為加拿大英語族群和法語族群的融合, 為之感動.

從首都的選擇到語言的尊重,

不因為魁北克遠小於加拿大總大小, 而因此看不起魁北克,

反而更重視並推崇法語族群的重要.

在這裡, 在國慶的這一刻,

我看到, 身為世界八大經濟強國之一,

加拿大在族群融合與民主上展現的偉大,

不需要靠任何政府文宣或報紙來宣傳, 真正的團結, 是讓人打從心底去感動彼此的^^

(This unique flag features the Ontario flag on the left and the Quebec flag on the right. Watching a French-Canadian woman wave it with such passion was truly touching, reflecting the harmony between English and French communities. From capital placement to language respect, Canada honors the French-speaking community deeply. At this moment on Canada Day, I witness the true greatness of Canadian democracy and inclusivity—genuine unity comes from heartfelt mutual respect^^)

晚餐在博物館吃,

漢飽飽配上, 魁北克特有料理 Poutine (起司淋肉汁薯條) ,

在炸好熱騰騰的薯條上, 加上起司塊 ,

然後再淋上肉汁讓起司半融化,

(有的還會加熱狗)

加拿大的KFC都有賣的, 很好吃喔^^

(Dinner at the museum: a burger paired with Quebec's signature dish, Poutine [french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy]. Hot fresh fries topped with cheese curds, smothered in gravy to melt the cheese [some add hot dogs]. Available even at Canadian KFCs, super delicious^^)

2008渥太華慶國慶

第2章 . 熱力四射 - 首都渥太華