Sir John A Pub

Dinner at Sweetgrass Bistro

Closing Dinner at Le Tartuffe

OTTAWA 2008 SOCIAL REPORT

[For photos of our raucous social events, click here]

NACLE’s theme -- “Learn the Law, Live the Culture” – carries over into our annual workshops, which are not only about academic subjects, but also about building personal relationships. Our workshops promote curriculum development and lively academic discussions, but they also bring the participants together socially to dine and enjoy the host city. Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, was a marvelous place in which to “live the culture,” thanks in part to beautiful Fall weather, and to the efforts of our organizing host, Nicole LaViolette, Vice Dean of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. Guests stayed at the historic Lord Elgin hotel situated near the Rideau Canal, where participants enjoyed walks, bike rides and beautiful views.

On Thursday, guests gathered for vittles and drinks at the Sir John A. Pub, named after Canada’s first Prime Minister. (See http://sirjohna.ca/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1) After a long day of travel, it was a welcome respite to greet old friends and meet new ones.

Friday evening’s dinner was held at Sweetgrass Bistro, Ottawa’s first and only restaurant featuring aboriginal cuisine. (See http://www.sweetgrassbistro.ca ) Located in the trendy Byward Market area of Ottawa, the restaurant offers seasonal dinner menus that follow the ancient paths of North America’s Aboriginal peoples, and is aboriginal owned and operated. Nicole had secured the entire restaurant for our group – maybe a new NACLE tradition? – allowing us to carouse without intimidation, enjoying an exquisite three-course meal.

On Saturday, we continued our new tradition of commandeering entire restaurants by venturing across the river to Gatineau, Quebec, to Le Tartuffe, a beautiful restaurant featuring French cuisine. (See http://www.letartuffe.com/english/accueil_general/index.html) Our closing banquet featured the recitation of Garcia Lorca´s poetry by Dean Roberto Ibañez of the Universidad Panamericana (another “new tradition?”), and the presentation of awards to our seven outstanding NACLE student paper competition winners. After our meetings it was suggested that perhaps a new theme for NACLE should be created: "Learn the Law, Live the Culture, Drink the Wine!"  NACLE participants thanked Nicole LaViolette and the University of Ottawa for organizing and hosting such a wonderful, memorable weekend.