WINNIPEG: FINAL DAY

Another great breakfast at the Gold Lounge and we're off to Assiniboine Park, home to the Assiniboine Park Zoo and Assiniboine Park Conservatory. Esther, Eunice and I were most interested in visiting the zoo. I was quite surprised with the size and variety of animals. In fact, as I kept on walking around it seemed never ending and that was a good thing. Okay, I forgot to take a map. Here's what we saw: lions (great exhibit and cage); sea eagles; monkey world of lemurs, marmosets and gibbons (always fun to watch; lots of amphibians; tigers; camels; kangaroo; llama; alpaca; reindeer; bison; lots of birds; an Australian exhibit; the Kinsmen Discovery Centre; and prairie dogs, peacocks running about along with turtles in the cages of other animals. I know that Esther and Eunice had a great time. www.society.com

Lunch was at the Velvet Glove lounge where I finally had the opportunity to sample the local fish, pickerel. It was served beer battered with sweet potato fries. Michael Blahuta joined me divulged the name of the best gelato store in Winnipeg.

Located in what was once the Little Italy of Winnipeg, Nucci's Gelati at 643 Corydon Avenue. I could not believe how great their gelato tasted! It's by far the best cold processed gelato that I have had anywhere! Why does the best hot processed have to be in Provincetown (I Dream of Gelato) and this one in Winnipeg!

The test was the dark chocolate, hazelnut, and amarena. The dark chocolate was clearly a chocoholic's dream; hazelnut was obviously not artificial; amarena was the special cherries imported from Italy and not the maraschino ilk. I met mom and pop, Rosa and Gino as well as their son Sebastian. Maria Pepe, their daughter, was not there at the time. Rosa then wanted me to taste the raspberry and lemon to get the true flavors. If I hadn't eaten lunch I would have tasted more! Esther and Eunice were just as happy. I then decided to have a shot of espresso, which I usually don't have. I don't know what the brand of coffee was. I didn't need anything else in it as it seemed to be quite low on that acidic taste. Rosa told me that she's been making gelato for 44 years.

Back to the hotel I rested and hung out in the Gold Lounge for several hours until it was time for the jam session in the Velvet Glove lounge. Those folks from the Folk Festival were doing their own thing while everyone just sat around munching, drinking, and watching the boob tube.

And so it was time to depart this wonderful city but not before my final breakfast and farewells.

WINNIPEG ON FRIDAY

Our morning was spent at the Winnipeg Art Gallery at 300 Memorial Blvd. www.wag.mb.ca
The building itself has architecturally distinct and houses the world's largest collection of contemporary Inuit art. There are several floors with much to see in the way of both painted art and sculptures; ten galleries. I also loved the roof garden even though it's under construction.

We are now off an area called The Forks, an expanse of riverside property in the downtown area. These 56-acres possesses a rich 6000-year old history. Early Aboriginal peoples traded at The Forks, followed by European fur traders, Métis buffalo hunters, Scottish settlers, riverboat workers, railway pioneers and tens of thousands of immigrants.

Now, it's a tourist attraction with restaurants, sidewalk entertainment, boutiques, markets, riverboat cruises, and Manitoba visitors center. Esther and Eunice were having fun checking out the venue as I was looking forward to the Inn at the Forks, the location of Riverstone Spa where I indulged in a body wrap with a mini-facial and felt "fabulous". http://riverstonespa.ca/

The Inn's complimentary car service brought me back to my hotel, where I then indulged in resting and hanging out in the Gold Lounge. A woman was dressed in her wedding gown and I asked if she was part of the wedding party that was booked at the hotel. She was not. In fact, she hadn't had a honeymoon when she did get married and decided to do so by staying on the Gold Floor. She and her husband were having a great time with the VIP treatment given to them. In fact, she couldn't say enough compliments to the Gold staff. I totally understood why.

After canape time, I took a Unicity tax to the St. Boniface Cathedral's cemetery for Theatre in the Cemetery. This guy didn't know where it was and even when we got there had to back up to find the address. Interesting how the meter was two dollars less going back to the hotel.

Anyway, these three costumed actors were telling the history via stories from French, Metis and Manitoban character gravesites. It was a great way to learn and would have been a much better experience if it weren't for the mosquitoes!!!

WINNIPEG: A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE

I leave the hotel and board a Unicity taxi telling the driver that I'm going to Kildonan Park. He is a bit confused as to where it is and I tell him that I don't know since I don't live here in Winnipeg. It's at Kildonan Park that the Rainbow Stage Theatre is located and where I will be seeing a performance of Rent. He continues to drive for a long time as I am telling him that I'm going to an outdoor theatre to see a play. As we approach the park I could see a sign that says, "Rent..Rainbow Theatre" and finally a sign that states that Rent is sold out posted at the entrance.

He drives into the park and keeps on going asking me where it is. There comes a point that I see cars parked along the side of the road which would indicate to me that considering a sold out performance and if one were to keep on going on that road one would wind up at the Rainbow Stage. I told him that I needed to go to where the box office is located. Instead, he stops at a sign that reads, "Pavillion". It is there that he makes a left and I'm thinking that he knows a short cut to the box office.

He passes the area and stops at the Pavillion where there is obviously nothing going on and tells me that "this is what I want". I had already hinted that the theatre was most likely near where the people were parking on the side of the road and walking towards somewhere. Meanwhile, the meter is ticking away. I insist that the Pavillion is NOT where I want to go and that the venue is an outdoor theatre. He now pulls out a map. He says he knows where it is and drives out of the park, makes a u-turn and goes back into the park.

I again talk about the cars parked on the side of the road and as he continues into the park he stops where the Pavillion sign is and pulls over. He says that he will ask someone. We are sitting there as cars are slowly passing by. I was waiting for him to roll down his window and nothing was happening. "Are you going to ask someone?" You have to know that at this point my brain was actually saying, "You farkin idiot! Is it not logical that if you continue you will find the entrance to the theatre?" I remained calm as he said, "Do you think it's along this road"? WHAT???? Has his brains turned to shit?

Now you have to understand that nothing stopped him from calling into the company and simply asking. Is it a male thing or just something beyond stupidity? We finally get to the theatre where he drops me off across the street from the box office. Needless to say, I called the company the next day and spoke with the manager.

As for the show, the performance was great! Nothing short of as if I saw it on Broadway...which I didn't. The only problem is being there in the summer and the mosquitoes! I brought bug spray, which I borrowed from the Gold Floor. David thinks of everything!

Esther and Eunice enjoyed the show as well. Joan and Dwight Embleton were seated next to me. Joan is the Executive Director of the Victor Mager Adult Education Training with the board of ed. Dwight is a Sales Representative for Alphi Apparels. They were gracious enough to drive me back to the hotel.

WALKING IN WINNIPEG

Winnipeg's Exchange District is one of the downtown neighborhoods, easily in walking distance from the Fairmont. I was to meet a guide at Old Market Square for a tour known as Death & Debauchery which explores the dark secrets of the city that was once known as "the Wickedest City in the Dominion".

Old Market Square, once occupied by the city's central fire station, is a popular location that plays host to a variety of events including the Winnipeg Fringe Festival and the Winnipeg Jazz Festival. I noticed that there was some "setting up" going on to later find out that a Reggae happening was the theme for a few days here. In the meantime, the annual Folk Festival would be going on at a location outside of the city.

Matthew Komus conducted this 45-minute tour which basically startsed out with Winnipeg's history as a politician was tarred and feathered for denying the first bid for the city's incorporation. "We don't know for sure," said Komus, "but we suspect hangings were carried out near the stage. It wasn't a public execution, but you could apparently get a ticket from the sheriff to attend."

Some of the other juicy tidbits were: how Frank Mariaggi, who built Western Canada's first European hotel, escaped a lynch mob; Winnipeg's largest unsolved robbery; the scandalous contractor for whom the Kelly Building on Bannatyne Avenue is named; and
what happened in Room 309 of the Royal Albert Arms Hotel.

Exchange District BIZ conduct other walking tours as well. You can check it out on www.exchangedistrict.org

Having a guide book added to the experience as I was later able to read about the history of many of the buildings as well as check out some eateries and small art galleries. I heard that there was a Filipino bakery nearby and so I headed to McDermont Avenue for Jejomar Bakeshop for a sample of a bun with sugar and butter atop.

Being lunchtime and wanting to try out a new restaurant I headed down Albert Street to a place called kimch'i on albert. Korean fare and named kim, for the owner's mother's nee name and ch'i for energy as well as the fermented pickled cabbage.

What's a bit odd about the restaurant is the "space". There are tables in the front near the window and then there is a couch and cushy chairs situated around a large screen television. Free wifi for those who bring there computers and then more seating in front of a sort of deli counter. You basically go up to the counter and place your order and someone delivers it to you.

I tried the Kalbi Special of bbq short ribs, rice, and marinated veggies in a soup. I decided on the Vietnamese Iced Coffee to cool off the kimchee automatically served at the table. It was perfectly hot enough for me and didn't even require a coffee sip to cool.

Now you may ask what's so odd about the space? I left out the part that on the right side sits another business that sells knitting supplies. Yes, you can meet, knit and eat Korean fare. Perhaps the space should be known as a "knitting cafe". Knit+eat/drink+chill = repeat

Next stop, the Manitoba Museum at 190 Rupert Avenue. The museum is both great for history and art. It has eight interpretive galleries including the Hudson's Bay Company gallery and the full-size replica ship Nonsuch,whose voyage in 1668 led to the founding of the Hudson's Bay Company. There is also an example of a young prairie city of the 1920's in the Urban Gallery. www.manitboamuseum.com

DINING AT THE HOTEL

I met Michael Blahuta, the food and beverage manager who gave me the info about the food and Velvet Glove restaurant. It just happened that the few days before arriving I had my favorite Filipino food delivered from Mama Meena's Family Restaurant in Woodhaven. Coincidenctally the feature special menu of the month was "Experience the Philippines". Kyle, the chef of the evening, sent out a more than muse bouche of shrimp and smoked salmon topped with caviar. I ordered an appetizer of Pansit; chicken and shrimp with snow peas, cabbage, celery and carrot in a chicken broth with vermicelli noodles, scallions and sesame oil.

Rellenong Manok, is Cornish hen stuffed with chorizo, olives, raisins, edam cheese and hard boiled egg service with "fresh local market vegetables."

Dessert was a Leche Flan of sweet custard with caramel and fresh berries. I enjoyed this particular flan as it was a bit thicker than usual.

The food was tasty and savory but did not compare to the home-style cooking at Mama Meena's.

Esther and Eunice joined me to partake in the meals and had their photo taken with Kyle.

Lunch is served in their lounge area. I wanted to taste their local fish, pickerel. I had it beer-battered and fried with sweet potato fries.