Calgary
Trip Start
Jul 05, 2008
1
2
25
Trip End
Aug 17, 2008
Calgary,
Alberta,
Canada
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Wednesday 9/7/08 - Sunday 13/7/08
We arrived from Seattle to Calgary on Wednesday. I had my luggage searched by TSA - despite being to the USA a few times before, this had never happened to me. My padlock indicator had turned red, and they left a small note inside. Unfortunately, Tanya had warned us that padlocks, once opened this way, can have a very short lifespan, so I'm hoping that my locks hold out through Europe...
Calgary sans snow is still a little chilly! We visited Aunty Marj and Uncle Bob, who fed us some lovely home-cooked food (after US fare it was delightful!) and we talked until after dark - which here can be as late as 10:30pm.
We had a two day 'package' for the Calgary Stampede. We turned up at 9am on Thursday, only to discover that the late-night nature of the Stampede means little is open until 10am or 11am. Luckily, a coffee vendor (we're addicted after Seattle) served piping hot coffee and the mini-donut-with-plenty-of-cinnamon-sugar stand was open and we were all set. Plus, we chatted to a few Canadian army troops who let us climb into a Leopard C2 tank.
Thursday afternoon was the rodeo - incredibly exciting! I didn't think I'd be the type to really get into it (I was content just to watch), but it's such a great event I put on my cowgirl hat and cheered along! It's looks amazingly dangerous, but contrarily there's a real family atmosphere, with wives and children of the contestants introduced and coming up to the podium with the winners too.
Just as we exited the rodeo, the heavens opened and it started to hail! We took refuge in the nearest tent until the rain subsided somewhat. We had a relaxed soup and tea in a very busy indoor cafe (it was completely dead until the rain came) - the staff were so lovely!
On Friday morning, we joined the crowds downtown for free flapjacks with Canadian bacon, and watched the kids races with our breakfast. Then we headed off to the Stampede again, looking at the crafts and seeing a great group of musicians called the Calgary Fiddlers.
I had to return to the city to sort out some issues with a parcel not arriving from Australia, but later that night we caught the C-Train back to the Stampede Grounds.
The evening Chuckwagon races were thrilling, and the show afterwards was nothing short of spectacular!! A gorgeous Skyride back (and some choice placement of Australian flags) completed the evening.
We went to catch some morning views of Calgary at Calgary Tower. It was a clear day, we could see right out to the mountains. There's some beautiful country in Alberta, which we've not seen all of in this trip. We might just have to come back. :)
This afternoon we're seeing Aunty Marj and Uncle Bob again, and hopefully I'll get to meet their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren too!
I'm off very early tomorrow morning East to Prince Edward Island, so more soon!.
Big Band @ Calgary Stampede
