Monday, April 13, 2015

I arrived in Winnipeg after a 30 minute delay which had nothing to do with the rainstorm that greeted us here. Overall, the flight was less than 3 hours which is probably why I was under the assumption that I was still stateside. When we arrived, with all international travel, we were directed promptly to customs where the agent asked a series of questions and ultimately satisfied let us pass. After passing through customers to baggage claim, I inquired with the agent standing nearby about restrooms. She promptly indicated that the restrooms were prior to customs check-in and that it would be ok for me to go back to the area using a small opening by the wall (3 feet away from the customs line where I had previously stood), use the restroom and promptly come right back through the same entrance. Luckily I did just that without being detained. My first impression of Canada - trusting people. 
Shortly thereafter I arrived at the hotel and after dropping all my luggage at the hotel decided to do a little exploring. I asked the front desk about "things to do" and i'm not entirely sure if it was my demeanor or the large bright pink bag that I carried but he suggested I check out their "mall" across the street.

Driving in, I had noticed a fairly large important looking building structure and inquired as to what that was, to which he quickly replied "That's the Parliament" and I can vaguely see him doing a double take as if thinking "She might actually be interested in historically significant items". 
 With my map, camera and cell phone in hand I took off and wandered down the path indicated and my first stop was the outside of the Hudson Bay Company which to my surprise has been incorporated since the 1600's.  



Luckily I was able to capture a shot of the date as I did a little window shopping (mainly to check out the husky display). Nice reflection of the "pizza pizza" which I wonder if they "borrowed" from Little Caesar's.


The next stretch took me close enough to the Parliament building to catch a shot in a nearly deserted open street because we all know the best pictures are taken in the middle of the street. Smile Lastly, the last shot on Memorial Blvd was of the Art Gallery, or more accurately of a building that I believe houses art but hard to tell because the design of the building is so plain. I returned back towards the area of the hotel and then turned towards Tim Horton's because no trip is complete without a little local caffeine right? Rolling eyes. Needless to say Tim Horton's delivered on their chocolate glazed donut and caramel latte. Two sinful choices that I'm sure to regret later. More to come.