Did you know that in central Canada’s prairies there is a city of great diversity? I certainly had no idea that Winnipeg, capital city of the province of Manitoba, home to approximately 700,000 had so much good food, friendly people, art and ethnic diversity.
We spent five days visiting our lovely niece who is studying with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. She was a charming tour guide and shared many delightful experiences with us. The photo above depicts the Esplanade Riel, a pedestrian bridge that spans the Red River. It was a sunny, but brisk windy day when we walked across it from The Forks National Historic Site located where the Red River meets the Assiniboine.
The instant we arrived, we were impressed with the locals: customs officers were helpful and friendly; the hotel staff cared for us generously; restaurant servers and their managers went out of their way to welcome us; shop keepers engaged us in conversation even though we were not buying; and staff and volunteers at cultural attractions shared information effortlessly.
We met folks who relocated to Winnipeg from Asia, Africa, Europe and India. I am sure there were others from South American and the United States. Canada’s First Nation people make up about 10 percent of the city’s population. We were told that “The Peg” as it is endearingly called, is home to the country’s largest population of Filipinos. The city’s diversity is reflected in its neighborhoods and dining options…Chinatown, the French Quarter and Little Italy; we ate well (almost too well) everyday.
In spite of their lovely art museum, upgrades at the planetarium, a magnificent library, and user-friendly riverfront parks, downtown has the grime associated with struggling inner cities…run-down housing, empty storefronts, pan-handlers and street people, and high crime rates. None of that stopped us from enjoying it all.
Certainly Winnipeg is a destination worthy of a second visit. I don’t know when we will head there again but let’s hope it is at a time when we won’t see near freezing temperatures and snowflakes in the air.
