Cowgirl in Calgary!

Well here I am in Calgary, all set to meet the Cattlemen in their Club as arranged. I donned my crystal encrusted jeans and denim shirt, but did stop short of a Stetson and boots! Off I went to the Ranchmen’s Club of Calgary to find it closed for Labour Day! Shock, horror and disappointment, as I had been looking forward to meeting some of the members be they oilmen or ranchers! The Club did contact me this morning as I was about to depart for the Airport, to see if I could visit today, but another reason to return,

In nursing my disappointment, I did what most sensible ladies do, I went shopping! First stop was Holt Renfrew, a magnificent elegant store, owned by the Weston family, who also own Brown Thomas in Dublin and Selfridges in London featuring all the leading Men’s and Ladies designers ! As it was a holiday, there were extra discounts in the main department stores, but still not enough to entice me to purchase a magnificent Valentino black dress, priced at a discount price of $4,950! The Jimmy Choo boots at $5,000 or the Manolo diamanté encrusted black silk stilettos, cheap at $1,890, would go beautifully with the dress! Ah well, I always did have champagne tastes with a beer income! However, I did manage to buy more reasonably priced shoes! I love shopping in North America as you select a discounted item, you get to the till and more discount is applied and then because it’s Labour Day an additional 20% is deducted! They almost pay you to shop! Magic!

Calgary is a lovely compact city with a population of almost one and half million. Some sky scrapers in the business district, but it has developed more out in an urban sprawl along the river. The weather was beautiful and where I stayed downtown in the famous Palliser hotel it was quiet as it was a public holiday. The grid system is so easy to manoeuvre with the streets going left to right and the avenues going up and down! Within walking distance of the hotel, was a pedestrian area full of lovely restaurants and pubs. Sunday had seen the Pride Parade so when I ventured out to eat that evening after arriving late, the place was buzzing! I failed to get into one of the recommended restaurants, the Saltlick, but booked it for the following evening and I was not disappointed. Sitting on a high stool, I had a very tasty steak and was well looked after by the staff.

My room looked out onto the Calgary Tower, which was built in 1968. It stands almost 200 metres high and dominates the surrounding landscape. As part of our package we were due to go up in the high speed elevator to the observation platform. However, problems with the elevator meant the Tower has been closed for the past 7 weeks! So, no view over the City. The biggest event in Calgary is the annual Stampede which runs over a ten day period in the middle of July. I understand everyone wears a cowboy hat and the city is jumping! Mind you, this weekend, they host the Canadian Country and Western Awards, so I reckon there will be a fair amount of line dancing going on! So sorry to miss it!

Next to my hotel, I was intrigued to see a very smart establishment called The Petropolitan. I did suspect what it might be, but had to investigate further! Yes, you guessed it, a top rate hotel for dogs and cats, where they have two choices of accommodation, condos or suites! The ‘guests’ can stay over any period of time, just come for daycare or just use the Spa and grooming facility! Would it work in Dublin? Maybe a business opportunity!

As I waited for the Airport Shuttle this morning I engaged the two young concierge in chat! Both from Morocco, they were charming, unlike other members of the staff in the Fairmont! We had a discussion about Moroccan food , which they miss and reckon the cous cous in Calgary is nothing like home! But now it’s time to say goodbye to Calgary, Alberta and the magnificent Rockies as I make my way to St. Johns’ Newfoundland via Toronto, for the next and final part of my adventure, the WEDDING!