I think I'm an odd breed. I'm a person who actually appreciates Edmonton's downtown. Most locals don't really like it, and tend to avoid it at all costs. Perhaps coming from small-town Vancouver Island, I'm enchanted with anything big city. Trains, large malls, Starbucks, buses, downtowns, you name it. Thus, I always find Edmonton's downtown an adventure waiting to happen.
This past weekend I was in a restorative justice seminar. This is a concept that really caught me during a first year criminology course that I took last fall at Grant MacEwan. I wrote a paper on it, and even did an interview for that paper, which ended up scoring me an A+ (thank you very much). There is a lot within the RJ principles that really resonates with me, so I was happy as a clam to sneak my way into a seminar on it. There was only two students in attendance, and I think we only got in there out of sheer annoyance. Apparently we had both e-mailed the coordinator until she finally relented and let us in. I was sure glad she did!
The seminar was downtown, and seriously, I generally enjoy any reason to head downtown. After it finished at 4:00pm, I got to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring and shopping, as Rob had taken the kids to his parent's house for the day. So this Mama was wild and free in the big city. Not really. I shopped for Easter outfits for the kids, and ran typical boring errands. But, I do find doing errands downtown always feels a bit more adventurous, even something as dull as buying milk. I'm an easy girl to please.*
(*Well, no, I'm not, at all, but a good downtown adventure always satisfies).
About a month ago Rob and I got the evening "off" while Gammy took the kids skiing for the first time. So I'm sure you can guess where we went...downtown! It was a bit chilly, but I've always wanted to walk up this atrocious set of stairs that I used to drive past on my way to school. I was always impressed with these people who would run up and down these stairs on their lunch break. Seriously. So we bundled up, because it was still a bit chilly, and off we tromped. I brought my camera, because I'm always shocked at how few pictures I end up taking of my hometown.
Edmonton's downtown is perched on the edge of the river valley. It really is a sight to behold. While I can't say the architecture is all that amazing, I still think its lovely. We have Hotel MacDonald (a fairly amazing Fairmont Hotel). Apparently that's about all we got for architecture, which our English friends think is a pile of hooey. "You call that architecture? Bah."
This past weekend I was in a restorative justice seminar. This is a concept that really caught me during a first year criminology course that I took last fall at Grant MacEwan. I wrote a paper on it, and even did an interview for that paper, which ended up scoring me an A+ (thank you very much). There is a lot within the RJ principles that really resonates with me, so I was happy as a clam to sneak my way into a seminar on it. There was only two students in attendance, and I think we only got in there out of sheer annoyance. Apparently we had both e-mailed the coordinator until she finally relented and let us in. I was sure glad she did!
The seminar was downtown, and seriously, I generally enjoy any reason to head downtown. After it finished at 4:00pm, I got to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring and shopping, as Rob had taken the kids to his parent's house for the day. So this Mama was wild and free in the big city. Not really. I shopped for Easter outfits for the kids, and ran typical boring errands. But, I do find doing errands downtown always feels a bit more adventurous, even something as dull as buying milk. I'm an easy girl to please.*
(*Well, no, I'm not, at all, but a good downtown adventure always satisfies).
About a month ago Rob and I got the evening "off" while Gammy took the kids skiing for the first time. So I'm sure you can guess where we went...downtown! It was a bit chilly, but I've always wanted to walk up this atrocious set of stairs that I used to drive past on my way to school. I was always impressed with these people who would run up and down these stairs on their lunch break. Seriously. So we bundled up, because it was still a bit chilly, and off we tromped. I brought my camera, because I'm always shocked at how few pictures I end up taking of my hometown.
Edmonton's downtown is perched on the edge of the river valley. It really is a sight to behold. While I can't say the architecture is all that amazing, I still think its lovely. We have Hotel MacDonald (a fairly amazing Fairmont Hotel). Apparently that's about all we got for architecture, which our English friends think is a pile of hooey. "You call that architecture? Bah."
Edmonton's snowy downtown
The infamous steps. There are approximately 206 of them (you bet I counted!). I nearly died, twice. Then, once we finally (read: barely) reached the top, we looked back at the mountain we had just conquered to see a lovely jogger who appeared to be floating towards us. Once she reached the top, she carried on, floating off into the distance. Jerk.
Our lovely river (the North Saskatchewan). I mean its lovely in that its a river. Beyond that its probably more toxic than Drain-o. Or so my husband says.
This is the view from downtown, looking south.
We then proceeded to the nearest Starbucks for some tea to warm our souls, and spent the rest of the evening chatting and people watching. It was a lovely evening. I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into our downtown adventure!
:) photos from home!
ReplyDeleteI know several still living people who have swam across that Draino toxicity and are still functioning... even the unmentionable bits!!! ;)