Want a taste of winter? Come to Winnipeg.

Just when I thought this world couldn’t get any stranger.  In a bizarre case of the grass must be greener over there, Winnipeg is welcoming visitors from Australia and southern United States who want to experience cold.

Val Keenan and Jean Hyrich will welcome visitors to Winnipeg. (Photo - Matt Preprost: Winnipeg Free Press)

Yes, that’s right cold.  Bone chilling lock yourself in the bedroom and crank up the furnace and hide cold.   The six-day winter exchange is all part of worldwide cultural exchange movement called Friendship Force.  Founded in 1977 by US President Jimmy Carter, Friendship Force joins people around the world in an opportunity to explore different cultures and experience the world in a way travellers seldom get to experience.  By billeting, the travellers get the opportunity to stay in a home hosted by a native of the area.  Thus getting an authentic taste of daily life that staying in a hotel just cannot deliver.

Australian Pam Ferguson with host Jean Hyrich. (Photo - Phil Hossack: Winnipeg Free Press)

Winnipeg: City of Murals – Mike’s General Store

In doing my research on the murals here in Winnipeg I remembered a little store not too far away in Winnipeg’s St. Vital neighbourhood.

A good shot of the North and East sides of Mike's General Store.

Questions, Questions

Well I guess my little exile has had a few bumps and bangs, but yet here I am with another post to keep the dream alive.

I had to answer some pretty serious questions today, and to a very important person.  No I did not get pulled over for speeding, or indeed questioned in an ongoing murder investigation.  It was much worse than that.  Much worse indeed.

Winter In Winnipeg: A Photographic Entry.

With the Winter Olympics just under a week away in Vancouver I thought it fitting to hit the road today and take a little drive through town.  Camera in hand, happily snapping pictures detailing a typical winter’s weekend day here in Winnipeg.

Festival Du Voyageur is also only a week or so away and the town is in high gear prepping for our French Canadian Winter Festival.  This means one thing, above all. Snow sculptures!

Manitoba Hydro: Dinosaurs in a Canoe