Cowtown - Saturday (Day 1)

As some of you know, I have been invited for a number of interviews at out-of-province medical schools. My first stop along my 'national tour' took me to Calgary (don't worry, I don't plan to run for politics).



I left Vancouver soon after sunrise on Saturday morning. I was somewhat paranoid about how strict pre-boarding security would be with my 'Gels, Liquids, and Aerosols'. They weren't. I was within all the legal limits - everything was travel sized and in a clear, resealable, bag. I thought they would have at least looked at it. But I went through security without a single question. It makes me wonder what the hell the strict rules are for - do they even check?

My hotel in Calgary was the Sandman in downtown. It was decent for the price: nothing spectacular, nor any glaring faults. I decided to spend my afternoon walking around downtown. It's no Vancouver, that's for sure. The whole trip took 3 hours...including 1 hour sitting in a chair eating lunch. But, there are some highlights.



Calgary Tower was probably the best part. For those that don't know, Calgary Tower is, well, a tower. You pay a disproportionately large sum of money and get whisked to the top by windowless elevator. The observation deck at the top has a great view of the city. Although, I suppose that isn't much to say considering it is right in the middle of the city, and the city is completely flat. Nonetheless, it was nice! I liked the 3 or 4 glass panels you could stand on and look down from. The first time I stepped on to them was rather unnerving, but I got used to it quickly. I only wish that they would have had a glass floor all the way around the observation deck, not just in a single, 2 meter wide patch.







I went as far as the Olympic park before deciding to call it a trip and head back to my hotel. Conveniently, Calgary has a tram system that runs through downtown and stops right in front of my hotel! Oh, did I say, the tram is free in the downtown core. Sweet deal. So I hopped on for the 3 minute ride back home. Total time spent: 3 hours.





I spent the rest of the afternoon cuddled in my (uncomfortable) bed. You know, those beds where you can feel the springs whenever you dare migrate towards the center of the mattress. Lack of sleep, combined with lack of entertainment, led to a wonderfully long snooze. I ate dinner at the restaurant in the hotel lobby, and retired to my room for the rest of Saturday.





My attempt to fall asleep at 11 failed. I was too anxious looking forward to the next day - and my medical school interview. But, thank god, I eventually fell asleep - sometime after 12.

To be continued...