I had some family in Ottawa this week and last night we checked out the new Mosaika sound and light show at the Parliament Buildings. Hundreds of people sat on the Hill to watch this spectacular 30-minute presentation.

We joined the crowd walking down Metcalfe St., turning down Sparks St.

Here’s a sample of what we saw (sorry about the quality):

I was a little surprised by the heaps of garbage all the way down Sparks St. I assumed Tuesday was garbage day (which it is), and although I get that people have to put their garbage somewhere to be collected, I have to wonder what tourists make of our fair city.

Every Monday night this summer, people leaving the Mosaika show at Parliament will stroll down historic Sparks St. and navigate large piles of trash.

City Hall under Mayor Jim Watson is big on promoting tourism right now.

I’m not so sure turning Sparks St. into a dump once a week helps.