Obama went souvenir shopping for the kids.

[HeresyLives]

OTR 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 memorobilia 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 may 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.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/wbureaublog/

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Isn't it nice

to have a President who buys gifts for his children? And who is respectful about honoring another country? Loved the Canadian response! But what does a Beaver Tail consist of? Cinnamon? Chocolate? Nuts?

[malaise]

4. It's even nicer that he has no problem

shopping in public.

[rvablue]

6. You're right on all three counts of your culinary intuition

Here is a "Beaver Tail"


edit: **looks like the pic wouldn't load!

Looks like they can come plain (cinnamon) or in different flavors (chocolate, fruit). It seems to be some kind of Canadian "donut."

Is this TMI? Sorry! I just loved this story!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. No, it was just enough!

I could never eat one (dietary restrictions dealing with health issues), but I was curious. Thanks!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

10. Here's what a Beaver Tail looks like:

Don' t you just love having a President who's normal, not paranoid, knows he's loved and respected, and who understands that promises to daughters are sometimes the most important thing he can do that day?

[rvablue]

13. Add to that: a President who enjoys fresh baked goods!! n/t

[LakeSamish706]

7. Beaver Tail ingreiants....

Beaver Tails
Also known as Moose Antlers and Elephant Ears, this sweet treat consists of fried dough, similar in origin to doughnuts or fritters but is rolled flatter. The dough is coated in cinnamon sugar, giving it the resemblance of an animal part, such as a beaver tail. They first gained popularity in Canada in the 19th century on camping trips because they could be made over a fire without the use of a frying pan. In 1978, a Canadian chain called BeaverTails opened in Ottawa. Beaver Tails are a popular fast-food sweet for skaters on the Rideau Canal.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. Thank you for that information!

I'm always fascinated with Canadian culture, especially food--like poutan (probably spelled wrong), the fries with cheese and gravy!

[susanna]

17. Did a road trip through a chunk of eastern Canada in 2007.

We went through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. Wonderful. I can't stand poutine, though DH ate it at a few places to get a benchmark. It's just something that doesn't work for me. I love cheese, but I'm not really into fries or gravy. I much preferred Nova Scotia, as the seafood was phenomenal. :-)

[Spazito]

11. Here is what it is....

"This pastry was popularized on Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, the largest skating rink in the world, where it has been served up since the early 1980’s. Essentially a Canadian version of the donut, the dough is made into the flat shape of a beavers tail and flavoured with lemon, maple syrup and cinnamon."

(Until today, I had considered myself an informed Canadian but, alas, Obama proved me wrong, I had NO flipping idea what a beaver tail was until I did a search, lol.

[kskiska]

16. Rideau Canal - beautiful

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

18. Thank you so very much

for taking the time to find the information! Canada is the only foreign nation I've traveled to, and I got to go to Ontario twice--loved it both times. I'd love to go to the Maritimes (Anne of Green Gables country on PEI caught my fancy years ago) and to Quebec.

[Spazito]

19. I might be a wee bit biased here (lol) but what the heck....

Quebec City is a must see city, imo, it is wonderful. As for the Maritimes (my place of birth - Nova Scotia) they are awesome. If you do get there, try to do all 4 provinces, they each offer beautiful scenery, wonderful people, not to mention very distinct accents, even beyond "eh", lol.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

20. I'll remember this

I have a friend in NB--I'd definitely visit her. My husband's ancestry is French Canadian, so going to Quebec City would be wonderful! Thanks for the tips!

[babylonsister]

2. "stand down, PETA"

:rofl:

And "potus", like that's his name, amused me. :D

[LakeSamish706]

3. Let me tell you President Obama is loved every bit as much in Canada as...

he is in the US (and that probably is true of much of the rest of the World as well). Everyone is just so happy to be rid of Bush..... ugh.. Gives me pain to even type his name.

[2Design]

5. I love that he does this - and the people do too - not like the pResident

who couldn't go anywhere there were ordinary people

[HeresyLives]

12. Probably scared the Mounties

doing that, but he's very popular as you can tell.

We do have donuts, but Beaver Tails are a hot pastry treat that's really nice if you're skating on the Rideau Canal.

[malaise]

14. Nice pix here

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iVBF5dRy6xO0H7RuThlYgSZsPxsAD96ET9CO0

[SheilaT]

15. How cool is that?

Bill Clinton used to go shopping like that when he was President. Would go off to some local stores in the DC area, with secret service in tow and buy Christmas gifts for Chelsea and Hillary as if he were a normal dad and husband. Presidents need to do stuff like that more often. They are so insulated from the real world no matter how hard they try to stay in touch, that something as simple as buying a souvenir for the kids helps a lot.