Obama In Ottawa, Makes Surprise Visit To Market (SLIDESHOW)

[devilgrrl]

OTTAWA — President Barack Obama turned into a dutiful shopper Thursday, getting some maple-leaf shaped cookies for his two daughters in a surprise visit to an indoor market.

After leaving Parliament Hill, the president's motorcade stopped at the By Ward Market, a farmers' market in an historic section of Ottawa. Obama's arrival surprised and stunned shoppers, many of whom crowded around the new president, shook his hand and posed for photos.

Obama walked through aisles of vendors selling crafts, Chinese noodles and Indian food. He purchased a key chain and searched for a snow globe.

But his main destination was a French bakery.

He tried to buy cookies for daughters Malia and Sasha, but the baker behind the counter refused Obama's money, indicating the sweets were for his children.

more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/19/obama-in-ottawa-makes-sur_n_168343.html

[devilgrrl]

1. Check out all the Canadians getting ready to let Obama have it!

[Berry Cool]

2. That's cool, but what I want to know is,

what did he have on his Beaver Tail?

You know, one of Hooker's Beaver Tails?

The article says someone handed him one. At first I didn't think he had one, but looking at the article, it appears he did. I'm glad. You should never leave By Ward Market without enjoying a Beaver Tail.

[Pirate Smile]

4. I read somewhere else that someone gave him one on his way out.

[Berry Cool]

6. I wish I knew what was on it.

I love them best spread with Nutella. Messy as all hell (I came away with a brand-new shirt covered with drips), but absolutely delicious.

[Pirate Smile]

Here you go - Obama Pool Report

Obama Pool Report

At 3:40 pm, as the motorcade headed off Parliament Hill, Potus surprised
us all with a stop at By Ward Market (Marche By Ward), a converted,
indoor farmers market in an historic stretch of Ottawa. Pandemonium
ensued as crowds of friendly Canadians surged to greet the president.

Potus's first stop was the Oxxo Silk Market, which appeared to sell
Native American dolls and assorted tourist goods. Potus emerged with a
keychain that he purchased with Canadian currency, telling Ann Compton,
"I was looking for a key chain and a snow globe for my daughters." He
said he was continuing a tradition started during the campaign, picking
up memorabilia at every stop.

Shoppers crowded his every move, snapping pictures. Potus said he was
looking for a Beaver Tail (stand down, PETA, it's a local pastry). He
entered Le Moulin de Provence and announced he wanted Canadian cookies.
The baker, from the South of France, obliged with Maple Leaf cookies.

"I figure I'd get some points from my daughters," Potus announced. The
baker refused his cash -- don't know if they were loonies. "It's for
your daughters," he said. "It's not for you."

As he emerged from the market, a woman waited for him with said Beaver
Tail. He took it, posed for some pictures, then ducked into the limo
that backed up to the back of the market.

Jonathan Weisman
Wall Street Journal

http://thepage.time.com/obama-pool-report-16/

[Berry Cool]

13. The article doesn't say what was on the Beaver Tail.

But Rachel Maddow says it was chocolate.

I feel better now!

[Canuckistanian]

15. Apparently, it was an "Obama Tail"

A special variation in honor of his visit. I heard an interview with the woman who prepared and brought it to him.

No mention of what an "Obama Tail" had on it.

[Berry Cool]

17. An Obama Tail?

Sounds yummy... :9

(edited to add: Rachel says it's whipped cream piped on in the shape of an O, with chocolate drizzle. Yeah!)

[Spazito]

18. It has a chocolate O on it from what I read...

"In December, the owner and co-founder of the chain, Grant Hooker, was asked by the Canadian Tourism Commission whether he would be interested in taking the treat down to Obama's inauguration.

The invite came after Hooker invented a new BeaverTail to celebrate Obama's victory. The special Obama Tail has a chocolate "O" on top.

This time, Obama came to him."

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/02/19/ot-090219-obamacommute.html

[Bozita]

3. Saw a sign in the crowd today ...

YES
WE CAN
ADA

[chollybocker]

5. The Byward Market in Ottawa is a great place to stroll through.

Obama "searched for a snow globe." One or both of the girls collects them.

[devilgrrl]

7. I've been to Byward Market and it is nice!

I was looking for Canadian Mountie salt & pepper shakers. :-)

[Catshrink]

8. Surprised he didn't get a shirt like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQOMxz-O7Sc

[devilgrrl]

9. It's not Canadian

eom

[Catshrink]

10. Yeah, it's British -- but isn't it about Canadians?

[devilgrrl]

11. Yes, I suppose it is but the 'Kid's in the Hall' do the Canadian hillbilly thing better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zJTNOxV4Qg

[chollybocker]

12. LOL Kids in the Hall were great

because their sketches always had a good pay-off joke, unlike most sketch com... never mind.

The Brits were also fur-trappers. Henry Hudson made a good living off of it.

[HughBeaumont]

14. I went to that place when I visited Ottawa last summer.

Great city, fantastic market. Lots to eat and see there.

[applegrove]

16. I was about two blocks from Obama half an hour after he was there. Dam I wish I had gone to work

early.