Calgary

77 Comments
When in Rome…..

The first thing I did in Calgary was buy myself a big hat – yeehaw! I’m not sure it really helped me to blend in with the locals, but it kept the sun off my pale Scottish skin.

Our flight from the UK landed in early afternoon, so despite feeling as though we’d been awake for hours more than was natural (we had) we decided to see a bit of the place. The Stampede was about to begin, so it was buzzing. First, we went up the Calgary Tower for great views and a turn on the scary glass floor.

Calgary Tower
Calgary Tower
Shoe selfie on the glass floor
Calgary Tower view
Calgary Tower view
Calgary Tower view
John on the glass floor
Calgary Tower view

After that, we took a wee wander round town, enjoying some of its more quirky aspects.

Calgary street scene
Calgary street scene
Calgary street art
Dressed for the Stampede
Men in Kilts

My favourite, which will come as no surprise to those who know of my interest in women’s history, was the “Women are Persons!” or “Famous Five” monument (link has more information about the sculpture).

Women are persons! (Famous Five)
Women are persons! (Famous Five)

Wikipedia explains the background thus:

The Famous Five … were five Alberta women who asked the Supreme Court of Canada to answer the question, “Does the word ‘Persons’ in Section 24 of the British North America Act, 1867, include female persons?” in the case Edwards v. Canada (Attorney General). The five women, Emily Murphy, Irene Marryat Parlby, Nellie Mooney McClung, Louise Crummy McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards, created a petition to ask this question. They sought to have women legally considered persons so that women could be appointed to the Senate. The petition was filed on August 27, 1927, and on 24 April 1928, Canada’s Supreme Court summarized its unanimous decision that women are not such “persons”.

Fortunately sense prevailed the following year, which reduced the sense of outrage  I was feeling a little – that, and the waves of tiredness which were now washing over me. An early dinner and an early night called. The next day, we battled our way through the Stampede crowds to collect our car and set off for the mountains.

Alberta, Canada ,

77 Comments »

  1. Pingback: April Squares: Calgary Tower – The Glasgow Gallivanter

  8. I too love the hat … although I think it would look seriously out of place here on the streets of Toronto 😉
    I’ve never been to the Stampede and haven’t been to Calgary since I was a teenager. Calgary is such a great jumping off point for adventures in the mountains. I’m looking forward to getting back there at some point on the Trans-Canada Trail.

    Hope you had a great trip!

    Like

  9. oh these are lovely memories of Calgary . . all I can remember when i went years and years ago was the struggle to find the shops to replace a broken suitcase!

    Like

  11. I’m looking forward to hearing more about the trip! I’ve only been to Calgary once, and that was mostly a quick drive through the city, as I was attempting to get to a wedding in Montana at the time. I would like to go back up that way to see more of the Canadian Rockies.

    Like

  12. I LOVE that hat, Anabel! 😉 Looks so good on you!
    I have never been there. I like the street arts. And appreciate the story of the Famous Five. I always feel that I owe those women a big thanks. 😉
    Have a wonderful day.

    Like

  14. For some reason, most of my workout DVDs were made by fitness instructors based in Calgary, so I’ve always been intrigued by the place, and I picture everyone living there as being super fit! Looking forward to hearing about all of your Canadian adventures (and that Famous Five monument is splendid, by the way).

    Like

  15. I’m late to the party but love you in the hat! I also love those colourful flower rodents. It must have been fun to be there during the big Stampede-a-do.

    Like

  16. I love this post, and the photos, Anabel. One question about the hat. Did it fit in your luggage or did you wear it on your flight home?
    And thank you for guest hosting on my site this week. Your post received many views!

    Like

  19. Oh a quick PS here. South Australia gave women the right to vote in 1894, less than a year after New Zealand. However, South Australia went a bit further and not only gave the right to vote but also the right to stand and be elected to Parliament.

    Like

  21. Loved the hat – it is so you.. I can just see you wearing that as you mosey along Buchanan Street :o) Have never been to Calgary, so enjoyed the post. Looking forward to the next chapter.

    Like

  22. Anabel, now that I know you have an interest in women’s history, your questions on my last post all make sense 🙂 I loved the link to the sculptures. We always love coming across these type of things especially when information is alongside it. I have an application on my phone that translates information but to English which is invaluable in our travels. The city doesn’t look that attractive as in not much character, as do most reasonable ‘new’ cities.

    Like

    • Yes, I’m always delighted to come across something highlighting the history of women’s roles in society. I’m a tour guide on women’s history walks for a couple of organisations at home.

      Liked by 1 person

      • You will obviously know that NZ was the first country to “allow” women the vote 🙂 Yes, I marched on a few protests over the years regarding various issues. Mainly student ones. Though a tour guide would be a far more productive way to get across important aspects of history. Well done you 🙂

        Like

    • Thanks! It’s one of the few hats I’ve actually enjoyed wearing. We didn’t hang around for the Stampede – headed straight for the hills so plenty of pictures of mountains to come.

      Like

  26. Loving the hat and interesting story about the famous five. Glad sense prevailed in the following year. I have flown to calgary twice to meet my friend who lives in Fernie BC. Never stuck around though. Headed straight to the mountains. I would live to spend a little time there.

    Like

  27. What an interesting story about the monument to the women – I’m glad they’ve chosen to commemorate them. Astounding that such an outcome was possible less than 100 years ago, isn’t it? And I love the street art – are those prairie dogs in top hats?

    Liked by 1 person

    • It’s a shocking story – i couldn’t quite believe what I was reading. Yes, I think the prairie dogs are there all the time but naked. They were going round while we were there putting the hats and neckerchiefs on for the Stampede. Cute!

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Hi Anabel – love the hat … and yes next time I’m over (on the assumption I get there again) I must look around more. It looks to be fascinating … I’d have liked to have seen the Stampede – but probably not for very long … the mountains though are beautiful – cheers Hilary

    Like

      • Interesting that you should say that. I just booked a hotel in Melboune for end of Sept, the weekend that the ‘footie’ grand finals are on. The person I spoke to was amazed that I would come to Melbourne that weekend for any other reason, but not amazed enough to not charge me prenium room rates!

        Like

        • Ha ha! We knew we were arriving at peak time (the day before) but it couldn’t be helped because of John’s work commitments. What we didn’t calculate was that our hotel was within the route of the parade and all roads were closed! Fortunately, we only had to walk a couple of blocks to get a taxi to the car rental place, but I think we got some funny looks as we scrambled through the expectant crowds complete with luggage.

          Liked by 1 person

  29. Love the hat! Wear it with pride. I also love the street art. My husband was an amateur sculptor and my interest stems from that. I always search out things like this when I’m abroad and I’ve been thinking about writing about some of London’s more unusual statues one of these days.

    Like

    • That would be interesting – especially if you can find some to women. I did wear the hat quite a bit but it hasn’t been necessary in Glasgow since we came home – and I’m not sure it would cut such a dash here anyway!

      Like

  30. I’ve been to Calgary, but was working. I regret now that I didn’t take the extra time to wander the downtown. I love sculpture and would have loved to have seen the Famous Five. Thanks for sharing them, Anabel, with a Canadian who should have known better!

    Like

  31. Hard to believe less than 100 years ago women had to petition to be ‘persons’! Calgary looks like fun; I’m looking forward to the rest of your trip.

    Like