Skiing and Puppetry in Ottawa with our host Romi

Cover image

One of the great things about doing a homestay is meeting new people and learning about their skills and talents. One such host is Romi who lives in the peaceful Gatineau district of Ottawa in Canada. Romi lives with her husband and three children in a brightly-lit, modern home where she works as an illustrator.

The family are passionate about the outdoors, enjoying the mountain-biking and hiking trails of the nearby Gatineau Park in summer and the fantastic cross-country skiing opportunities throughout their area in the winter season. The nearby Rideau Canal which of course freezes in winter is the ideal spot for from some outdoor skating and Romi’s son even using his skis to get to school during the snow! In spite of this seemingly scenic setting however, the family home is only a 15 minute drive from downtown Ottawa.

One of the most notable things about Romi and her family however is not their passion for sport but their interest in the arts: as well as Romi’s career as an illustrator, she also has a keen interest in puppetry and has amassed a collection of over 100 marionettes. Not only that, but she has also designed and created the theatre and set backdrops for these characters to be displayed in.

Romi's home in Gatineau, Ottawa

Roni herself is a confident speaker of English, French, Czech and German as well as having an understanding of Russian and Spanish, and all the family share her love of languages. With her sons also students of languages and having spent time overseas themselves, they are keen to welcome guests who want to learn about other cultures and languages into their home.

I spoke to Romi about her talented family to find out a bit more about their interests and to see what a guest can expect from a homestay in the Canadian capital.

You seem to be a multi-lingual family with an interest in languages. Where did your curiosity and enthusiasm for language-learning come from?

My parents always had guests from different countries at home and I had to learn 7 languages if I wanted to communicate with them. I don't pretend to speak 7 languages well but I can communicate, understand and read more than 7. Our kids are raised the same way: "If you want people to understand you, speak their language". The possibility of communication gives such a feeling of freedom!

Tell us a bit about your area, what do you like most about where you live?

Definitely the nature. The forest in winter, while skiing on best cross country ski trails in Gatineau Park, making maple syrup in early spring from our maple trees. In spring the forest has an atlas of wild spring flowers and trying to remember every year more and more of them. In summer I love swimming in Lake Meech (15 min by car) and biking mountain bike trails through Gatineau Park. The autumn splendour of colours on maples trees also is something you have to see.

Romi's family relaxing at home

What's your favourite thing about Ottawa, what are your favourite cafes and areas?

Every Sunday we go to Ottawa Cathedral (10-15min by car) where we sing in one of the best nonprofessional choirs, it is definitely worth listening to. A 5 minute walk from there is the ByWard market (fresh local products), Botega Italian shop, a cheese house and you can get Canadian specialities like "Beaver tail" and "poutine." The Rideau shopping centre and musicians on the streets all bring the place to life.

What is something great about Ottawa that only a local would know?

I myself prefer nature to the city, so I know more places in the forest and trails that only the locals would know. Canada is full of nature!

What is something every visitor to Ottawa should see or do?

Visit the Museum of Fine art, History, Nature and War, the Parliament and of course Gatineau Park.

I know your home has a beautiful hand-made marionette theatre. Tell us more about your interest in puppetry.

Romi's marionette theatre in her home

I started to collect marionettes when I was nine. I made some of them too and now have around 120 or more. I have 14 different plays, all accompanied by classical music. I have different painted backgrounds for each play and change them quite often during representation. I am a professional illustrator, so I make them myself. The theatre is in my atelier but spectators are seated in the guest room. It is very easily transformed but I do not play regularly anymore.

the marionette theatre in action with Homestay

Why did you decide to become a host?

I wanted our kids to know that there are many cultures and languages in this world and I wanted them to learn, sharing what they know and have. Our older sons spent 10 months on a student exchange, one in Austria and a second in Germany.

What can a guest expect when they come and stay with you?

A warm welcome and a family who is eager to know their "new family member.” Good food and help with whatever the guest needs. We treat our guests as family.


Book a homestay with Romi or browse our listings for all our homestays in Ottawa.

 Newer

Older 

This website uses cookies