the simple five: crowd pleaser

Last year we visited Ottawa during Canada Day, where the nation's capital hosted approximately 10,000+ visitors to celebrate in one location.  With many free events, concerts and museums to see and visit, fighting through an exceptionally large crowd (especially at night during fireworks) can be a daunting task (and at first, slightly overwhelming) especially when you have young children.

As seasoned travellers, we managed to cut through the crowds and enjoy visiting many attractions without melt downs or anxiety (well, at least not too much anxiety!)

The streets of downtown Ottawa on Canada Day.  A sea of red and white!

Here's a few tips to prepare yourself so you can maneuver through the crowds a little easier during the holidays (or any amusement park or popular destination) and make the day with the family more enjoyable.

1)  The early bird gets the worm.

Wake up early.  Yes, it's a holiday and it's your day off, but if at least one parent starts early, the organizing of the day begins, and the family doesn't seem rushed in the morning. Chances are, if everyone wakes up early, you'll beat the breakfast crowd and you'll get to see everything you wanted because you had a head start in the day.

2)  Pack for the day, the night before.

I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but often while travelling, our normal routines are thrown out the window.  Plan a rough schedule the night before (look at the maps, figure out where you'll eat and set out your clothes).  Pack all the blankets and towels in the backpack ready by the door.  Morning "rush" will be eliminated, and again you can start your day early and seamlessly.

3)  Do the "back nine" first.

I always joke about this with my husband.  He's an avid golfer, so when I tell him this, he knows exactly what I want to do.  When you enter an amusement park, museum or attraction during a time when it's very busy, go to the back of the park or exhibit first, then work your way backwards towards the entrance.  This usually works for us, and sometimes there are moments when we go "upstream" through the crowds, but it gives the children a chance to really observe each exhibit without the chaos.

At the National Gallery of Canada.
With free admission on Canada Day,  this is one of the most popular destinations.
(you can see we missed the crowds here too!)

4)  Figure out your meals in advance, especially on holidays.

If we're travelling, I like breakfast packages that are offered with hotels. The hassle of walking around with hungry kids to find a place to eat, makes breakfast packages a no-brainer for me.  Even if one parent goes and grabs muffins from the local bakery or coffee shop to bring back to the hotel room (getting up early helps here) saves time and aggravation. The same logic goes with dinner...there are many apps where you can book restaurants a few weeks in advance.  Especially on statutory holidays, not all restaurants are open, book quickly or there are long wait lines to get a table.  Plan ahead.

5)  Always bring an extra bag.
I know this is a strange concept that most people think is unnecessary, but I can never have enough bags and I like to carry those foldable travel totes that can fold into your purse or backpack. Whether you've made unforeseeable purchases when you've stumbled upon a vendor or market or need a makeshift picnic bench cover if you're stopping to grab a quick bite, foldable travel totes are really handy and take up very little space.  It has saved me countless of trips back to the hotel to "drop stuff off".

Most importantly, go with the flow and enjoy the day. It is almost a guarantee that travel schedules don't always go according to plan, but if you're prepared, it's easier to be flexible and you can make the best of the day.

Happy Canada Day!

red and white

I think I've always been fascinated with home design, and I recollect an early time when my parents were looking to move from their starter home (where my brother and I were born) to a little larger place.

There was one house in particular, that we dubbed "the black and white house", that really appealed to me for some reason.  Every time we drove by it, I always said I wanted to move into that "black and white house".  And although it was on the market for a short period of time, for logistical reasons, we never bought that house.

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I think that sentiment has stuck with me for most of my life.  When my husband and I first looked for a home, we would tour "those neighbourhoods"...you know, the ones in affluent communities with picket white fences, beautiful grown trees and children playing happily in the neighbourhood.

Every house that we'd admire were always this particular style... georgian, colonial, neoclassical, adam, or federal designed exterior with clean lines and strong bones.  And although it was rare to actually find a black and white one, when we did see one, we'd sigh in anticipation for "one day" to own something similar.

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There is something very particular, I think that speaks to us.  It could be the centre hall plan.   I think for me though, it brought me back to a time when I was a little girl, dreaming of that picket white fence and the black and white house. A stately, symmetrical and conservative structure with graceful and elegant details.  Maybe I sensed, even at a young age, with it's structured rooms that it was a solid home, but with the beautiful classic details, there was a sense of pride in making a house a beautiful home. It harkens back to a time when quality meant something.  That patience and pride went into building homes to withstand the cruelty of weather and time.

And now as a home owner, looking for a house for us means more than just four walls.  These four walls are a home that can comfort us, give us the feeling that no matter how cruel,  stormy or strange it is "out there"...at home, we are safe.  Comforted.  Strong.

I'm glad that we can live in a country where we have options.  A sense of community.  A peaceful nation that is strong enough to weather the storm, but gentle enough to embrace those who don't have the strength to weather it with us.

Home is where the heart is.  This weekend we'll be celebrating the "red and white", the flag of our nation...our home.  

Happy Canada Day!