Tales from Winnipeg (second helping)

Whilst in Winnipeg we were looking for somewhere to watch the AFL grand final. One likely place was the Billabong Bar and Bistro, an Australian themed bar in the middle of Canada. It wasn't too tacky - there were boomerangs nailed to the walls, and a few kitsch-y 70's advertising posters hung around, but pretty low-key. A TV had been set up on one side of the bar, with enough space for 50 or so people (if they really crammed in). We were early, so I viewed the beers available. VB, Carlton Cold, Crown Lager, Boag's Premium, Steinlager (which is close enough), and Coopers Red (and probably some others I don't remember - Hahn?). I asked the (Canadian) barman for the Coopers, but only if he knew how to serve it. He nodded (with a wise smile to himself), pulled out a stubby, moved slightly so as to be in full view of the entire room, and rolled the beer on the bar.

This drew baffled looks from locals (as the barman intended), leading to a long and fruitful discussion about in-bottle fermenting. I was quite impressed.

As it was, the grand final drew about 30 people. Enough room to swing a small cat. Half were other ex-pats and backpackers, and half were locals wondering what the hell the rules were.

Tall Tales but True

I kept a daily journal on the recent North American Odyssey of 2005, but I was a week or so in to the trip before I really got the hang of writing down the interesting stuff. Rather than go back and fill in the interesting stories in the journal, I'll put them up here. I may even post the interesting stories from later in the trip that were recorded, if you're nice to me.

Any objections?

No?

Good.

This tale relates to the war memorial in Winnipeg. When the Manitoban founding fathers decided to get themselves a war memorial, they announced a competition open to all sculptors and architects, the winner would have his (or her) memorial built in Bruce Park and $20,000.

Several entries came in, and after much deliberation, first prize was awarded to Emmanuel Hun.

Many people objected to this choice: "We can't have a memorial built by a German," they cried.

Good point, they thought. They gave the $20,000 to Emmanuel anyway (despite being German, he had lived in Canada for years), and then announced a new competition, only open to citizens of either the Commonwealth or the US, the winner would have his (or her) memorial built in Bruce Park and $5,000.

Several entries came in, and after much deliberation, first prize was awarded to Elizabeth Stockton. A wise choice (they thought), a woman (showing how progressive we are) and also born and bred in Winnipeg.

Many people objected to this choice: "Isn't Elizabeth Stockton married to Emmanuel Hun?" they cried.

Good point again, they thought. By this stage they were getting pretty damn sick of the whole thing, and so they gave Elizabeth the $5,000, picked a second prize from the entries they already had, and rapidly built it before anyone could complain.



I thoroughly recommend the Muddy Water Walking Tour, if you're ever in Winnipeg. Quite interesting.

Back home

So, I'm back home. Yes, I had a great time, thank you. Highlights included Casa Loma in Toronto, the old city in Montreal, the city walls of Quebec, the Met, MoMA and most of the rest of New York, and the Grand Canyon. It was also cool to catch up with some people: Mike, who admitted he was quite drunk when he made this extreme comment, Whitney, and her lovely boyfriend Shane (who drove from New Hampshire to New Haven just to see me - thanks guys), and my brother and sister-in-law (who gave me a look at the Phoenix zoo from the inside). I might put some pictures up if I ever get around to working out why the hard drive can't locate the scanner. I took nearly thirteen rolls worth, so there's heaps of good ones.

(Yes, I have an antique film-type camera, which apparently no longer exist in technologically advanced places, like Japan. A customs officer at Narita airport shoved aside various medicines in my carry-on bag and waved the camera at me urgently. "Where screen? Where screen?" He then closely investigated my mini-torch before a more senior customs officer told him to stop being so bloody-minded about stuff and let me go.)