(Photo Provided)

It’s Sunday, the day of rest at 11 a.m. I am recovering from a hangover that could slay a 1,000-lb. walrus. I have this assignment to go on a scavenger hunt across town booked for noon, a scavenger hunt that will lead to my lunch. I really can’t be bothered by it, but I want to eat. The quicker I get this done the quicker I get my stomach settled again.

Our scavenger hunt “team” isn’t coming anymore since they’re sleeping. Only two of us are going now. Our adventure around Ottawa is going to be made a lot more difficult with both of us having arrived fresh-faced from England two weeks ago, and only half a clue where Parliament Hill is. A DaVinci Code-esque traipse around town is the last thing I want to do.

Urban Quest (a.k.a the “scavenger hunt”) is a new online Ottawa business that facilitates an adventure “in your own backyard.” You pay $20 to sign up and launch your quest whenever you’re ready.

It then gives you two hours to get to the final question after conquering various tasks throughout the city. Log your answer online and you’ll be sent to your final destination, dinner.

The idea is to use any means possible to get the answers, be it strangers, phones, friends, family or quick Internet stops. It’s an ideal activity for spicing up a first date, re-lighting an old flame, spending a bored afternoon with the gang or just for an interesting and mysterious dinner (if that’s what floats your boat).

11 a.m.

Adventure launched. Two hours on the clock begins. First things first, I need to print out the instructions, crap. So the adventure begins in my very own corridor hunting down someone awake and alert enough to do some printing for us. Third time is the charm, as we find a printer and an understanding accomplice who is going to be our base contact when we get stuck, our phone-a-friend.

Next job is to get to Parliament Hill and start the quest — that means catching the bus.

11:45 a.m.

We are finally ready to begin and already late.

We are sent statue hunting through poetic clues. We chase silhouette’s and rife through information booklets for the required dates. Filling in the gaps, we have circled letters to make up the first part of the final clue — the anagram. 

12:30 p.m.

Next stop, a mysterious hotel we have to track down through the given clues. This would have been an easy task — if we were locals. With our fancy wireless phones we attempt Chapters, Starbucks and McDonald’s, but find no instant Internet that doesn’t require payment, a lengthy set-up or registration.

Looks like it’s time to give in to the rumbling stomach — a call to our home contact and it seems there is nothing a quick Google can’t solve.

At the hotel we misread some clues and have to ask hotel staff; however, they show no evidence of ever hearing of Urban Quest and come across as utterly baffled as to why two drenched lost 20-year-olds are scouring every plaque, sign, word or date on the walls, ceiling and floor. We just start to get going and . . . time’s up! A cheeky text to the company is in order. We cheat and postpone the reservation another hour — no shame in that, right?

(Photo Provided)

 

1:20 p.m.

With all clues gathered it’s just a matter of piecing them together. Next problem: there’s a gigantic Sudoku to solve and unfortunately my math skills are worse than a five-year-old. I’m hungry, tired and bored of thinking. I hand it over to the third-year engineer I dragged with me but he doesn’t have much more luck. I give up and decide it’s time to use the “forbidden cheat sheet.”

With all the clues gathered, we discover the final anagram is that of a famous Canadian. Ah, that’s a problem for us. Between us we can’t think of anyone better than Avril Lavigne and her name doesn’t fit. It’s time to surrender to the inevitable — looking at the answers. We call up, act successful to our friends who are all very impressed and get the address of our dinner reservation.

(Photo Provided)

2 p.m.

So after just over three hours of “adventure” we didn’t discover an Illuminati conspiracy or end up at the Vatican in Rome. We did, however, annoy various citizens including nagging bellboys to open museums (we got confused), hassle businessmen with snazzy iPhones, interrogate moms for directions and quizz a man who just stepped out of a minor car crash until we finally ate.

And damn, it was worth it.

The quest took us to a small, hidden, classy jazz bar with incredible food that really wasn’t too expensive at all ($20 for a breast of marinated duck and a beer — astounding). 

Unfortunately, I can’t give any more details, as I will rob the company of thousands of possible customers from the city. Overall, we did find it was a bit of effort but the tasks were generally well levelled (not too easy, not too difficult), and despite the hassle it turned out to be worth it, if anything for the recommendation of the end restaurant.

Problem is, the end “treasure” is food, and after a few hours of hunting for food you’re tired, stressed, hungry and your brain aches, which means you might look at the answers, go to MickeyD’s and screw the end meal. Or maybe that’s just me ’cause it was Sunday and I was hung-over.

See [www.urbanquest.com] for more information…