TGIFs

As I get older, I don't have the gusto to face the cold of January as I used to do. This is doubly true in Ottawa where the temperature falls precipitously. Today, I realized with a minor shock that I have only left my place 3 times in the last 3 weeks. My slothful phase since last November has resulted in a slow but relentless weight gain.

3 Fridays ago, I finally got an appointment for my Covid booster. But unlike my vaccination in Toronto, this wasn't free. As it was at an exhibition centre far away, this would have required several bus transfers. The final bus came only every 30 minutes, despite being an important route connecting the airport to the downtown core. So I paid almost $100 for a taxi ride to and from the location.

My mood worsened as we waited outside because they were running 20 minutes late. There was another lineup inside so it was 50 minutes past my scheduled slot before I got my shot. In Toronto, it was a convenient downtown location accessible by subway and a quick entry without delay. While in line, I overheard a young couple unfavourably compared Ottawa with visits to Toronto and New York City. I was the dearth of literary-related events like author readings and book festivals that riled them. I wasn't sure if they hoped to fix this (they were young enough to make a go of it in the big city) or simply belly-aching to friends.

I wanted a mood-booster so I made a detour afterwards to Montreal Rd and St. Laurent Blvd. I had previously spotted a Haitian diner called Boukannen Bar & Grill in a small strip mall on Center St. They were open for take-out so I got a small veggie combo ($12). It was a filling lunch of rice, beans, plantain, and a fragrant stew. I wasn't sure if this was their regular veggie offering or they just ladled together a bunch of other dishes. Because one part tasted like a veggie stew but the section "next" to it had crab claws and tasted of salted fish, and adjacent to that I found bits of beef. So if you were strictly vegan, Boukannen would not be a good choice.

The following week was bone-deep cold when I ventured out again on Friday to refill my pantry and fridge. Then a major snowstorm blanketed most of Ontario earlier this week. On social media, I saw the folks of Toronto deep in it: from the bad (being stuck for hours on the highway, long lines of stuck buses and street-cars) to the good (tobogganing at Christie Pits or Riverdale, skiing down snow-covered streets). I didn't see any scenes from Ottawa but maybe I'm not following enough locals.

Yesterday, I returned to Laheeb for a mixed plate of grilled skewers. I thought they might not survive  being a restaurant located in a sleepy neighbourhood. But two years in, they looked busy with takeout and has even opened a second location on Somerset near Chinatown.