Two trips to Calgary in two weeks! I should be getting frequent flyer points somewhere, right? Too bad Westjet doesn’t have such a facility.

Went back to Calgary, had a great time. Saturday I spent by myself – some much needed R&R time to recharge. I went down to Crowfoot by bus (the driver was Punjabi so I chatted with him about the Centre for Indo Canadian Studies and Research (CICSR) as well – he actually recognized the project which is good but I digress…) to have some dinner. Started at Joey Tomato’s and had some potstickers but I found that the food was too unrefined so I ventured out and found a new place – Outback Steak House. The center cut sirloin was okay. They had an interesting bread that I’ll keep my eyes open for in the future. After that, I felt a bit bloated from eating the cheap beef (probably not free range, organic or grain fed, right?) so I walked the 2km back up Nose Hill home. The sky was beautiful – a blue that I haven’t seen in a very long time. The big sky is something that I sometimes miss – makes you feel so miniscule.

Sunday, it was off to have brunch at the River Cafe where the food was delectable. I had the 7 grain pancake (they didn’t have my first choice, the waffles since the waffle iron was broken), Mom had an egg white omlette with quinoa amongst other things. We then had a stroll through Eau Claire. Calgary is really nice this time of year. I wish I had my rollerblades. Next time for sure. That night I went to a concert at the Telus Convention Centre which was put on by Rupie Sachdeva. Rupie’s sister, MP Sindi Hawkins, whom I also got to chat with about the CICSR got up on the stage and spoke briefly about her battle with Leukemia. After asking the crowd to give marrow, she also made a mention for those in the crowd to speak to me about the CICSR since this was a cause she strongly supported. At the end of the concert, we drove her father and mother home. Mr. Alhuwalia, Rupie and Sindi’s father, told me about his life in Canada and how he was given the Governer General’s Award in 1993 and also how he’s been nominated for the Order of Canada by 15 people including Paul Martin. I hope he invites me to his award ceremony .