Parliament Hill: A Capital Treat

A friend of mine said he was going on a bike ride to catch a view of the sunset. I was envious. From my apartment window, I can only see bits of the evening sky above other buildings. Its pink and purple hues tease me, taunting "It's gorgeous, too bad you can't see anything!"

Tonight, I went for a stroll that led me to a perfect spot to catch the colours: behind our beloved Parliament Hill. From the top of a cliff overlooking the Ottawa River, I enjoyed a full view of the pink & purple skies against Quebec's Gatineau Hills. What a treat.

A treat I didn't expect was the experience of walking alone on Parliament Hill leisurely, observing, listening, exploring. As I approached the Hill, I wondered how long I'd be able to roam the grounds freely as I can now. I looked around and couldn't help but break into a grin - two guys juggling, a couple embracing, families posing for the camera, children running. It seemed so familiar and comfortable.

I think maybe I've taken Parliament Hill's proximity and access for granted. Tonight, I realized that it might not always be there for me to explore so easily. I think maybe I'll explore it again soon, just 'cause it's there, and I can.