Oct 15/16 - Calgary - hard to believe but we managed 2days of poor weather in Calgary!
Our own disposition/tiredness didn't help any so these were not the greatest of holiday days ...
yes, I got my feed of Ginger Fried Beef - and last view of the mountains from Bragg Creek -
including a couple of lovely souvenir buys -- 

 here's some tidbits from along the way:
- there are no Arabs west of Calgary -honestly the only one I saw had blue eyes!! (well yes there
was the fellow in Banff who we asked about a mosque - Calgary was his reply). The populations overwhelmingly wasp - with several 100 Asians to add colour! - a noticeable change.

- imagine going from a place where 98% of the people look like you, think like you and share your 'reference points' to nobody has a clue what you think or are trying to do (pray at a mosque).. including your partner!!

- Traffic Calming - do you know what this means? - from my references 'sleeping policeman' or 'speed bump' -- only in Victoria do they use such genteel traffic measures!

- really enjoyed the Hotel Sylvia definitely on my list as a possible long stay during an Ottawa
winter!  

- a repeat: -- Pork is the 'in' ingredient - next time you look at a menu think through these filters:
Halal /90% gone - what you like 5% gone that leaves 5% and the reason we now have a travel ditty that consists of a chorus of 'fish, salmon, cod' with verses of Halibut and Shrimp!!

- feeling quite homesick - such welcoming friends, beautiful familiar scenery (albeit it 'blank' -
as in flat on the prairies and that big open blue sky) ....the wide-open ocean - next stop Japan!!
long, almost empty beaches with strong tides (Pacific Rim) ... and rivers that keep 'rushing' - and
mountains, mountains.....and yes I really did hike in 7.9km to Twin Falls Lodge - Fran, who was in her 60s when I stayed there is now in her 80s and still the manager!!...I could not do it today!!

- Home - gas the same price in AB as Ontario!! 116.5 litre! -- ah well Im back in Ottawa wait 5min and the price will change!! and look at that great Ontario colour!!