One of the things that I missed in Ottawa was visiting the Parliament Buildings on Parliament Hill. While I was on my way back to visit the buildings as planned rain started pouring down. It poured so hard and so bad that I had to seek shelter. It so happen that I was just passing by the historical and legendary hotel—Fairmont Chateau Laurier so I ducked in.
The hotel is luxurious and quite nice. I bummed around and did a DIY tour of the public areas to occupy myself. I also checked out the shops and peeked into the restaurants. There is free internet, a clean restroom and the sofas in the lobby were comfortable. I do not mind waiting here until the rain stops.
But after an hour and a half I got bored and cranky. The rain is still not stopping. So I went outside the hotel and chatted with the friendly doorman. He understood my predicament and told me that across the street is a shopping mall, the CF Rideau Centre if I want to spend my time there waiting for the rain to stop instead of in the hotel.
I thought hard about it and when the rain slowed down a bit I did a sprint to the direction of the shopping mall. Luxurious hotels are nice but I need a change of atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the mall did not offer any comfort at all. I only got more bored than ever, going from one store to another, browsing and looking, well looking for nothing really. It is a realisation again that shopping malls do not really sit high up on my list. I guess I am like a man, I prefer pre-meditated shopping. Ha, if there is a term for that! Well, I managed to buy an umbrella so I could get back out on the streets.
Shopping malls are not my bestfriend. Give me an outdoors market anytime.
*Sigh* I lost 3 hours of my afternoon due to the freaking rain! 3 hours that I could have spent in the Parliament Buildings.
Travel Period: September 2015
Destination: Ottawa (Ontario), Canada
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