Of the Château Lafayette and other former brothels

Bits of New Zealand work done again, and then go downtown with Dirk quick break. It’s so empty at times, it is as if the whole Market area hasn’t recovered from Covid. Still, quite nice to look at, in parts, and there are good sections to visit.  Quick wander through the Bay – and then we stop off for a pint at the “Laff”.
 
The “Laff” is a bit of an Ottawa institution: it is, for example, the first place I ever saw people putting salt in their own beer. Apparently, it is to give the beer a bit of head – an old Canadian tradition. Did I mention the word “institution”? People seem to have stopped doing it, mind – and it seemed a shadow of its former self. As Ottawa’s oldest tavern (1849), it has a bit of a reputation – mostly for how it was in the past – but it is a nice enough place, even if the people watching has gone downhill. This is where my friend Don and I escaped for afternoon strategizing sessions in the early 2000s. He was the first – and only, so far – boss I have had who recognized the importance of brainstorming over a couple of beers. It worked. Sometimes.
 
Drove Ottawacker Jr to Caelan’s – and we settled in for Light of India takeout. Introduced Dirk to the delights of John Prine.