Canadian Experience Essay

Reflecting on the experience of going to Canada for the first time, it seemed similar to most American cities that I have been to, until we got to Parliament Hill, but what I was especially interested in was what happened once we were inside the House of Commons. At first glance the House of Commons seems more like a comedy show, but there is a deeper meaning behind the genius political ploy that impacts Canadians. Walking from the bus to the bathroom the city of Ottawa did not strike me as largely different than any of the cities that I have been to in the United States. It was once we got to Parliament Hill that I was awestruck. Parliament Hill to me seemed like a completely different city inside of Ottawa, it was nothing like the rest of the city and that was a sign of the historical importance of the area to me. While we walked around the city it was clear to me, the importance of the history of Canada within Canadian culture. There were a lot of monuments all around the city, honoring events like, The War of 1812 or their history as a nation of peacekeepers. Ottawa reminded me of a city like Boston where there is a lot of history embedded in the culture of the city. Once we entered the House of Commons, the experience within was something that I have never experienced in the United States.
I went in thinking that the city of Ottawa was nothing special and was similar to many cities in the United States and that the House of Commons debate was a comedy show. I came out thinking that the city valued and honored their history with statues embedded within the culture of the city, and that the debate in the House of Commons was a genius political ploy that is more focused on how the Prime Minister is portrayed to the Canadian public, rather than enacting policies or laws. The trip showed me that even though at first glance the city of Ottawa may seem similar to the United States, there are in fact many