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Published: April 29th 2006
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Marina and I
visiting Banff I arrived off the lovely Greyhound experience from Kelowna at 6am. Dealing with a time zone change, in addition to daylight savings caused a brain confusion that I hadn't planned on for my start in Alberta. I chowed down on some breakfast before venturing off to the hostel in town, and planning my time in Calgary.
I hid in the hostel with a book in hand trying to sort out some computer issues, before sailing off into the streets. The sky was blue, the air was crisp and cool, why hadn't I explored earlier? The hostel was cozy on the inside, but the surrounding area was certainly less desirable. Needle disposal bins clung to signposts on the corners, so I crossed the C-train tracks and headed towards the most notable tourist attraction in town, the Calgary Tower.
I've been up a few towers in my time and if the price isn't too ridiculous, (as in Seattle's Space Needle) I find the view gives me a broader sense of direction than most maps do. I took in the 360 degrees and realized that Calgary really is the beginning of the flatlands. When I had been reading my guidebook
Banff
I finally made it to see the Rockies!! earlier I had chuckled at the classification of Calgary being in the Prairies. Had Lonely Planet not heard of the Rocky Mountains? Now looking across the land of Alberta, I realized that Calgary really is flat. Jagged peaks jump into view in the distance, but the city and suburbs certainly sat on level ground below. I guess Lonely Planet know what they're talking about after all. Good thing I'm learning about my own country with my own eyes. Eh?
Alberta has defined itself with three main attributes in the mind of this Canadian; cashing in on the oil rich tar sands, a passion for hockey, and quality beef. As I hadn't arrived in time for the annual stampede I wouldn't be able to watch the live beef action, (cowboys being the biggest attraction there!) so perhaps I could indulge in a mouth watering version (still no cowboys on the scene I'm afraid!). I grabbed a beef dip sandwich and was reminded of Canadian meals that never made it into my life in England. The thinly sliced roast beef that is stuffed between wedges of bread, is served with a cup of it's own juices for dipping. This perfect
At the Calgary Tower
Standing over the city streets Sunday dinner in the lonely downtown streets of Cowtown (aka Calgary) caused me to float back down memory lane, exept when I ended up back the hostel.
I had a couple of people in town to look up, one being my half sister Marina. Families can have such complicated history so I was nervous to meet up with her, although we had had a couple of coffees a few years earlier. When she called me I was already in my pjamas, but ready to book a time and place for a meal the next day. She invited me to stay with her so I was rather overwhelmed, but excited about this different kind of adventure on my trip. It was comforting to discover that she was unfamiliar with the area that my hostel was located, (the needle bin is all that sticks in my mind I'm afraid!) and the conversation flowed as if we had known each other for years. I soon put my head down in a comfy corner in her flat, and entered the long awaited land of zzzzzzz's.
As it had been night time when the bus drove through the Rockies, I was
Calgary
Looking across the Saddle Dome from the Calgary Tower pleased to be driving towards Banff the next day. I expect it's the one location that every Calgarian takes their tourist friends to, and with good reason. The mountains thrust up from the dry grasses and melting lakes, and the town was full of cafes and tourist shops. The price of a bed and day to day life is not very accommodating for a true backpacker, so this daytrip with Marina was appreciated even more. We forgot our bathing suits so we had to opt out of dipping into the hot springs, and we weren't really in a hiking mood, so we boarded the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. The views were of course spectacular, and it gave Marina and I a refreshing moment to keep on exchanging life stories. I expect I will return to explore the Rockies further one day as the trails are endless and the sky- kissing views are inspiring, but until that time, our day trip was over and we returned to the streets of Calgary.
I had originally intended to spend just a couple of days in Calgary, but as I had free accommodation and new friendships to discover,
Dinasaur in the Calgary Tower!
A good view and a few dinosaurs still roaming about I didn't rush off. I spent a few days reading, lounging in front of the tele, and then I joined Marina's flatmate for a day of shopping. Not being the perfect size 8, 9 or 10, I have never really looked forward to finding the right fitting clothes. But as I have grown slightly tired of my t-shirts and trousers after 11 months of travelling with them, I figured it was time to break the mould. Jan was very encouraging, and seemed to know the best shops to go to. The end result was a cat walking Fiona parading the parking lot in my new jeans. Jeans! The feel of denim certainly beats my shapeless quick dry trousers!
The next adventure into town was quite amusing. I had contacted an ex-boyfriend from ten years ago and we met up for a coffee near his office. I figured enough years had passed to put our history behind us and catch up with the different directions life has taken each of us. And I was glad we were both able to laugh at me being caught out in a lie, (sorry Mike, there really really wasn't another guy-I just wanted
My personal shopping assitant, Jan
We have red eyes just from the hours of shopping to move on!) and rather funny that I didn't even remember making it up in the first place!
For one of my last nights in town, Marina and I cruised down to a bar called Melrose's. As we weren't able to get tickets to the Calgary Flames playing on the ice that night, this was definitely the next best thing. There was such a mad collection of people watching the game, we just sat at the bar and people watched. Not exactly true hockey fans, but certainly into the spirit of things! Middle aged women flashed the world when there was a goal, men pushed drinks in front of us even when we had stopped all conversations with them (I'm afraid neither of us are looking for boring, balding or badly dressed boy!). As the bar was situated along the 'Red Mile', I was able to imagine what it would have been like when the Stanley Cup was won, with crowds of people lining the street.
Having spoiled myself with the new pair of jeans, I decided to continue with the trend and had my hair done. The disadvantage of having had it straightened in Vietnam to avoid the humidity afro, resulted in thoroughly fried hair months later. I'm now sporting a sleek straight blonder do, AND shaking my booty in a pair of jeans...under the 40 pound backpack!
I had hoped to explore a bit more of Alberta, as the Dinosaur Park/Drumheller looked like an interesting visit, and the 'Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump' sounded like it could have been a laughable write up, but transport was an issue. Canada is unquestionably, a big place to travel around. So next time I decide to cross the country I'll certainly opt for the car. And I'll most certainly hook up with more friends along the way. It was a shame I was contacted by an ex-boyfriend's brother (that is living in Calgary) after I left as he seems like another good soul to know. Next time, next time.
And this time? I'm boarding a night bus into the next province of Saskatchewan.
Cheers all,
Fiona
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anonymous
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Wow
Marina is very very very beautiful!