CALGARY-THE CULTURAL CAPITAL OF CANADA APRIL 2012-MARCH 2013

 

My Calgary Trip…cont…

Back from the Athabasca- refreshed after a sound sleep in the luxurious Sheraton Cavalier I woke up to find my brother ready to leave for his official work . He asked me about my plans for the day and suggested to choose  a sightseeing tourist transport  for the day. I put on an air of great confidence and with butterflies in my tummy I boomed that I’d be happy to explore the place on my own. Somewhere deep within some wise saying by some wise guy came to my mind ‘…set your mind on a happy mode and you’ll be happy…’…set your mind to a confident mode and you will be confident …’   set your mind on a sad mode and all you will do is self pity and crib! I fine tuned my mind to a confident happy mode and set out to explore Calgary with a song in my heart and song on my lips I went my merry way …and Boy did I enjoy?  Well it was one great learning experience! I opted for the C- train Calgary’s Light Rail Transit System (LRT) It comprises of two lines –North South reaching Somerset-Briddlewood in the South through Down Town to Crowfoot in the North. East-west ,starting at Mcknight –Westword and ending at 10^th st. South West (Down Town).The frequency is pretty good. The Downtown area around 7^th Avenue is free fare zone ,where one can hop on and off free of charge .The fare system is operated on honour system-tickets are purchased before boarding the C Train vending machines which take  the exact amount .Seated near the window I could see the Rockies soar in the distance against the backdrop of  blue skies.

A bunch of friendly  girls were forthcoming with information that filled my curiosity . They advised me to start from  Down town  Calgary.

They told me that many a building in the downtown area are connected in a 15 kilometer long network of  elevated walkways and bridges. The system known as ‘+15’ is the largest of its kind in the world.
I alighted confident with  friendly instructions and the tourist guide book. I went into the Calgary public library, I circled  around the Calgary Tower ,a 191 meters above the down town core. This iconic piece of the Calgary skyline boasts of an upscale revolving restaurant .I’m paranoid of elevators so I asked about the experience up there . A great panoramic view of the city …and it ’s glass floored observation deck is a thrill. I then strolled down the historic Stephen Avenue Walk. It is lined with historic sandstone building .It is a pedestrian strip .

I just walked the cobbled street lined on both the sides with  boutiques, shopping and dinning  …People spilling outside  on the patios ,exchanging notes over steaming cups of drink and food …in between  the Café’s were small stores selling flowers ,fashionable designer clothes ,jewellry.In the corner under a small canopy a band comprising of  youngsters was playing and a couple was signing gustily to a small crowd of music lovers who had gathered  around them  gently swaying to the beat of the music. The live band with their guitars ,drums and other instruments showcasing the upcoming new talent! I could feel the celebration in the air-Calgary doing justice to the title….. Cultural Capital of Canada April 2012-March 2013’!

After savoring the flavour of the downtown life I walked to the C train station to continue my exploration Calgary and decided to spend the rest of the day at Heritage Park to experience ‘How the west once was’…

…to be continued…