There's a quiet sense of expectation on Parliament Hill, where about 2,000 are gathering -- quietly, like Canadians -- hoping to catch a glimpse as Barack Obama's motorcade pulls up. It's a pretty young crowd, with a lot more teenagers and early 20-somethings than you usually see on the hill.

"I come here because I think it's a unique thing in history. We are from Brazil, so I think it's just one chance to see Obama," said Ana Idi, a 24-year-old on a two week visit to Ottawa to study English.

Will she see him?

"I don't know," she shrugged. "I think, yeah, maybe."