maps, maps, maps, maps, maps.

 

     I like maps. I like the way the colours on a map sort of compliment each other: the green of parks; the blue of rivers, lakes and ponds; and the gray of streets and buildings. I like old maps, new maps, country maps, city maps, heck when it comes to maps I don't discriminate- I love 'em all! I even chose what seems to be a VERY old map of Edmonton for my blog. If anyone is still reading this they will have by now come to the very obvious conclusion that I. Love. Maps.

     A love of maps is very different than an ability to follow them, though. A couple summers ago I went to Europe with a friend. We did seven cities in five weeks. I got to use the map once. Some might infer from this that my friend was a control freak, map-hog. This is not entirely true. In fact this was not at all the case. I confess, in the words of my mother: I could not find my way out of a paper bag, map or no map.

     I was very thankful that this week we were only looking at maps, not following them.

     I had planned on creating a map of my Edmonton, but did not get a chance as I recently transferred over to a Mac and have been unable to discover the Mac equivalent of paint. If I am able to figure it out I will post a map of my Edmonton sometime this weekend.

My Edmonton: Past and Present

     My sense of Edmonton has not necessarily changed too much over the years, even though my location within it has. Having lived in this city my entire life, I've developed a kind of love/hate relationship with it – emphasis on the hate.

     When I was younger “my Edmonton” spanned a total of about ten blocks and every arena in the city. Any time not spent being shipped to and fro, skating rink to skating rink, was spent running around the neighbourhood (snowball fights in the winter, water fights in the summer). The community I grew up in, Ottewell, is tightly knit one. The local ODR (outdoor rink for those not in the know) was run by the father of one of my best friends. There my brother and I, along with our friends, and our friends' friends spent hours freezing our toes off. To this day I have limited feeling in my left pinky toe, the result of frostbite I'm sure.

     Years later, I now live in a one bedroom apartment just of of Whyte Ave with my partner. I suppose that although years have passed, “my Edmonton” still spans about ten blocks give or take. I live, work, learn, and play in an area not much bigger than the one I grew up in. Instead of my small elementary school, I now attend the University of Alberta along with roughly thirty-thousand others. The ODR has been replaced by a number of restaurants, tea shops, bars, and theatres around the avenue. My employment has also changed- Babysitting just doesn't pay what it used to. I now work in one of the many bookstores along Whyte.

Although my life is, and always has been, very convenient, I wish to expand my city limits. I want to walk through new neighbourhoods, and explore different buildings. I think it's about time.

* In the spirit of this blog post I have made two “Top 3” lists- one of places I currently love to visit, and another of places I might like to check out in the near future.

Top Three Places to Visit in Edmonton:

1. River Valley

Wonderfully romantic in any season, the river valley is Edmonton's diamond in the rough.

     2.Steeps Tea Lounge

If you like mismatched furniture and fancy tea cups you will love steeps. Some days you might even be lucky enough to catch some live music or a poetry reading.

     3.Varscona Theatre (for Rapid Fire Improv)

Too many people don't know about Rapid Fire Improv. This must change. If you're in the mood for a laugh spend $10 Fridays at 11pm and catch some theatresports! You won't regret it- trust me. Arrive half an hour early, many shows sell out.

Top Three Places I Would Like to Visit in Edmonton:

     1. Glenora Community

A consequence of taking public transit is passing by gorgeous neighbourhoods like this one and saying to myself “I'm going to walk around here one day”. So far that day has never come. Here's hoping it will.

     2. Duchess Bakeshop/ Famoso Pizza

Both food establishments I have wanted to go to for a while. The Duchess famous for their pastries, Famoso famous for their pizza.

     3.Charles Camsell hospital

Closed, creepy, and condemned, this hospital is known for its “paranormal” happenings. I'd like to find out for myself.