We arrived in the city of Winnipeg after 2 nights and 1day on the bus! The bus station has recently moved to the airport so after much confusion with the bus drivers as to when the buses were going, we managed to get a shuttle bus downtown. As we were the only ones on the bus, the driver dropped us at the door of the hostel - much to the amazement of the hostel workers! Even though we were so early, the lady managed to check us into a room, on our own. The room was huge and defo the best we're stayed in yet - we even had a tv!! After much needed showers, were went in search of food!! The map makes the city look quite impressive and as if there is lots to do - but in fact it is quite a dull, poor place! Yet again, it was another hot day (27'c) so we went to find the river. We walked along the Assiniboine river and up through the park surrounding the government buildings. We even met some snazy bears - see the pictures! They were 'Bears on Broadway'! We went back to the hostel for a well deserverd snooze!
There is a clear difference between the people here and those in Ontario. It is difficult to see how people would earn much money in such a place as it seems to be a halfway town that has increased in size somehow. The city is set in a very dull landscape and there is no major companies within the city which is understandable as it is so far from any other cities/towns and with no transport links other than road and train. It seems to be a fairly independent city. The nature of the people here remains much the same as the rest of Canada - very friendly, welcoming and willing to help.
We were lucky with our room as noone else booked in so we had it to ourselves. Was nice to have our own space and to chill watching tv.