2019 summer vacation: Day sixteen - Calgary

 Howdy and yeehaw!

I decided to spend the sixteenth day of my epic summer trip in Calgary and visit the famous Calgary Stampede which bills itself as ''The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth''. It was almost a culture shock to visit Calgary as I got the impression to be in Texas rather than in Alberta. One could see plenty of cowboy boots and hats, people greeted one another by saying ''howdy'' and ''yeehaw'' and everybody listened to country music and talked about farming. Obviously, this cultural side was enhanced by the impressive fair and rodeo. It was certainly interesting to discover this type of culture for a while but I couldn't identify with it over a longer period of time and live in and with it. Personally, I actually preferred the city of Edmonton and its working culture, natural landscapes and historic buildings. It's funny that most people who visit Alberta usually prefer Calgary but I always had unusual opinions. If you grew up dreaming to be a cowboy, you should certainly visit Calgary and especially attend the impressive Calgary Stampede. 

  Entrance to the Calgary Stampede, the greatest outdoor rodeo and fair in the world

 The Calgary Stampede traces back to 1886

 One of the numerous exhibits, this one comes from the Remington Carriage Museum

 Advertisement for Agriculture Zone at Calgary Stampede

 Statues in front of Scotiabank Sattledome

 First Nations exhibits at ENMAX Park

 Military march music performed in front of Scotiabank Saddledome

 Dog Bowl with its entertaining thirty-minute shows

 A ceremony and vote for the most beautiful cows

 Stampede Park in front of Stampede Grandstand

 Chairlift across Calgary Stampede fair

 Exit of the Calgary Stampede at SB Victoria Park / Stampede CTrain station

Courthouse Park 

 Downtown Calgary

 Peace Bridge across Bow River

 Prince's Island Park