This is the 5th of a series of posts dealing with my 2023 trip to Calgary, Edmonton, and vicinity. I’ve made minor corrections to these reports (typos, bits I don’t feel like making public). Also, I’ve added additional thoughts with the hindsight of a year later or to add further clarification. These are indicated by “NOW”.
Around 8 pm last night a white and black man were having a fairly loud conversation in French, though later some of it was in English (about how different languages bring out different feelings). At first they both seemed to be enjoying the talk but by 9:45 the white man was clearly playing teacher and monopolizing the conservation and the black man understandably seemed more annoyed by him. I think I might have nodded off briefly during this chat and definitely did so after they finally stopped talking and I could then drift off.
I got up in the morning with about 6 or 7 hours sleep; much better. I got a Pepsi from the H-I Edmonton and then headed north. I walked through a park trail and on the other side saw a jogging group, I crossed Walterdale Bridge over the North Saskatchewan River. I visited the Legislature, which was a construction area due to major renovations. I bought a day buspass at Corona Station. Near Rogers Place (base of the Edmonton Oilers) I took a 401 bus (Strathcona Transit, erroneously called Sherwood Transit in last report) to Ordze Transit Center, Sherwood Park. The impetus for returning was to get back that bus schedule I lost but it was also an excuse to ride the front of a double decker bus again. I had breakfast at the McDonald's there (I respected the no drink refills signs) and returned to Edmonton via 404 Strathcona Transit bus.
I got off at University Station and took a Capital train (all remaining transportation today Edmonton Transit) to Grandin/Government Centre Station. I walked west, cutting through Railway Park en route, Even though it was supposed to be, Daisy Chain Book Co hadn't yet opened. Heading north, I didn't go in Ascendant Books when I realized it was New Age (and thus stinky with soap smells even from the outside). Listen Records hadn't yet opened. Heading east, EROC Records was in a market and not open today. I took a 3 bus a ways east and got a root beer Slurpee at a 7-11. I worked my way southeast to Freecloud Records; you had to be buzzed in and out. I returned to the fountain at City Hall. Water jets weren't on but I walked through the chlorinated water and snapped some shots that would have destroyed my camera had the jets been on.
I checked a map at Churchill Station and then took a 4 bus to West Edmonton Mall Station. I had lunch at the McDonald's across from the mall, figuring that food in the mall would likely cost more. I then reentered the mall for the first time since around 1987.
Snapping shots proved to be not all that risky; just focus mainly on the obvious tourist attractions and minimize shots of kid dominated areas.There was an ice arena, kid's amusement park, a waterpark etc., but my favourite shooting location was a ship/live theatre. No performances on but it was a great photo op and because there was no event, easy to keep the kiddies out of the photos. I got some DVDs at Edmonton Coins and Collectables (likely the former Edmonton Comics) before going to Guest Services, guessing correctly that I could get a souvenir map there. I also visited Comex Hobby and got a pop at Dollarama. Beyond the lack of drinking fountain even for a mall this size (the Wicked Witch of the West could live quite safely in Alberta) a great place to spend some time. I did see security talking to youth but they didn't bother me. Nothing jogged memories in me emotionally. I remembered seeing an amusement park, a McDonald's in the mall, and a movie theatre so I have no reason to believe the ones I saw weren't the same ones (in fact they probably all are; I saw The Secret of My Success there as part of a band tour), but I can't swear to it. Edmonton Coin & Collectables could very well have been the comic shop I went to before as well.
[NOW: The ice arena is Ice Palace, the amusement park is Galaxyland Amusement Park, the waterpark is World Waterpark, and the shop area is Deep Sea Adventure. That branch of Comex Hobby is now closed.]
Returning to the transit centre across the street, after consulting a security guy, I caught a 4 bus and took it to Bonnie Doon Centre. I visited Revolver. I just missed a 4 bus going the other way (west) but caught it at the next stop across the street. The Bookseller wasn't where a sign suggested it could be. Continuing along 82 Ave, I went to a Circle K but the fountain drinks weren't working aside from Slushees and I was near other stores. I visited Warp 1 Comics. At the 82 Ave branch of Wee Book Inn there was a sign saying not to pet the cat, but I got permission to photograph the young Siamese Cat and bought a trade of James Bond comic strips. It was around this time and later on that people remarked on my photos negatively, though one woman asked what my favourite photo today was. I went with the ship display at West Edmonton Mall. I called it a shipwreck but that was probably the wrong term; I think she knew what I meant.
I visited Blackbyrd Myoozik but at that point couldn't find Gritty Grotto Books. Leaving 82 Ave, Corellian Comics was in a market that had closed for the same. It's close to the hostel so I might get to it tomorrow. I grabbed dinner at the same McDonald's at Wed eve. I briefly returned to 82 Ave where a mock Christian themed pride celebration was happening. Heading south again (because of barriered area, I had to go north and east to head south), I visited the Glass Bookshop. We Have Issues had closed for the day. Returning north, the same pride celebration was happening and I saw another heading west, but unsure if the theme was the same. Around this time I returned to the Circle K above and this time the fountain was working so I got a vanilla Coke. I found Gritty Grotto Books inside another store. The Lobby had closed for the day but it's close to the hostel and son is guaranteed for tomorrow. At a different Circle K I got a much needed bottled water and then returned to the hostel.
[NOW: I wasn’t able to get to Corellian Comics for reasons in the next report. Glass Bookshop is now closed.]
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