First was a stop to see St Boniface Cathedral, which we saw from the car the previous evening, looking for a restaurant.
This cathedral has had six iterations, the first being built in the mid 1800's. It was a mission church originally which was focused on education. Today St Boniface University is right next door. The fifth large cathedral was built in 1908, and a catostrophic fire destroyed the interior in 1968. It apparently was decided to clean up and stabilize the old walls, and to build the new cathedral (a more contemporary building) right behind the ruins. The overall effect is really wonderful. I see in reviewing my photos that I failed to get a photo of the old cathedral next to the new. :-( But I did get some good ones of the old hulk.
The cathedral is right on the banks of the Red River of the North, and views across the river are of downtown Winnipeg.
Next we toured the Winnipeg Legislature building, reminding us in some ways of the Minnesota Capitol building. We did the self guided tour. The building had very few people in it because the legislature is not in session. Here are some photos.
We were very surprised when we entered the building. Here were the surprising things not often found in the US any more: We walked up the original front steps and in through the large front doors, not a side entrance built for modern security. We were greeted by a smiling guard seated behind his desk, not by ropes and gates. We asked if we could see some of the building. We were assured that we could. No scanner, no airport type screening. There were tours on the hour, but we could go on a SELF GUIDED TOUR if we wanted. They just ask that you not go into any offices. We gave our names and we were given a visitor badge. That was it. We walked around all three levels and saw everything we wanted to see. It was so nice.
We walked around downtown and drove out to Assiniboines Park and walked around there. A lovely day.
I am watching Hillary Clinton accept the Democratic nomination for president. What a wonderful and exciting speech. I am so grateful to be able to call myself an American which has produced this exciting woman. Even though my previous comments indicate that it was wonderful to have the freedom to enter a public building without going through security here in Canada, I am thankful for our country's efforts to keep us safe, and for the economic development that has blessed so many in our country. I am so proud to be a woman in a country soon to elect a woman President, who is committed to working together to lift up everyone. Thank goodness we have a candidate who will work to, among many other things, maintain and develop good relations with our wonderful Canadian neighbors.
