Colombia: Aunt Ruby Everyday Tourist’s Oldest Follower
I recently received an email from a regular Everyday Tourist reader telling me not only that she enjoys my blogs, but she often sends them to her 99 year old aunt in Colombia. Ironically, soon after getting the email, I had a comment on my website in a foreign language that looked like Spanish. Using Google Translate it was indeed Spanish and it was from Aunt Ruby. How cool is that?
Turns out Aunt Ruby, who will turn 100 in August 2021, is very active. She still looks after her own banking and investments, as well as actively follows what is happening in the world. She loves the internet because it allows her to follow world and local events. And she still participates in several groups that discuss various current events and topics, as well as a bible study group, even though she is confined to a wheel chair.
While she hasn’t been able to travel for the past 15 years, she loves looking up places where her family is travelling to. Turns out she uses my blogs as an opportunity to learn more about other cities. I am told she loves the ones about Calgary’s gardens, architecture and public art.
Aunt Ruby doesn’t speak English so she uses Google Translate to read the blogs. But mostly she likes the ones that are more photo orientated so she doesn't have to read them. I am told she studies the photos very carefully, as she loves photography as an art form. I believe this is true as the comments she left me were about the composition and lighting of my photos. If I ever get to Colombia I will definitely be looking up Aunt Ruby and perhaps she could give me a critique of my photography.
In honour of Aunt Ruby, I decided to create an exhibition of 99 photos of places I have enjoyed visiting, over the past few years. However, the first time I added them up, I had 100+ so Aunt Ruby will have lots to look and think about this at year as she prepares to celebrate her 100 birthday.
I hope she and everyone else will enjoy this extended photo essay. There is no rhyme or reason to the selection or order, I have tried to choose some old and some new architecture, public art and gardens - things Aunt Ruby loves.
Medicine Hat, Canada: Saamis Tepee was originally constructed for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary as a tribute to Canada’s indigenous history and culture. It was moved to Medicine Hat after the Olympics where it was erected on a prominent site next to Seven Person's coulee, the Saamis Archaeological site and Trans Canada highway. It is the largest tepee in the world - the equivalent of a 20-storey building. Link: Saamis Tepee
Atlanta, USA: I loved this office building plaza with its reflective cash machine kiosk that creates a surreal place to sit.
Atlanta, USA: Piedmont Park is a 189-acre park that is home to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, summer festivals, sports fields and is a popular spot for joggers, walkers and lovers. It was designed by Joseph Forsyth to host the city’s two major expositions the first in 1887.
Halifax, Canada: It seems many cities around the world are building strange looking libraries these days.
Calgary, Canada: The new Central Library gets its unique shape from the LRT Train tracks that curve underneath the library to travel along downtown’s 7th Avenue Transit Corridor.
Seattle, USA: Another quirky looking library.
Montreal, Canada: I love how the historic Royal Bank of Canada building has been turned into a restaurant/cafe and co-work space.
It was always fun of young people whenever we visited - three times. It was like a huge off-campus study hall.
Hamilton, Canada: The historic fountain in Gore Park in downtown is a lovely link with the past.
Hamilton, Canada: I am a sucker for sunsets. The figures in this public art work at Harbourfront Park almost look real.
Atlanta, USA: I love this photo of siblings playing in the dancing fountain at Atlanta’s Olympic Park.
Austin, USA: Just south of downtown Austin is a huge park which is home to an annual kite festival. It is a great family festival.
Salt Lake City, USA: Temple Square is a 10-acre campus owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is very charming and you can book a free tour, which we loved so much we took our two tour guides for lunch. Learn more: An Atheist’s Look at Temple Square
Cardston, Canada: The Alberta Temple
Mexico City: Sculpture in front of Palacio de Bellas Artes performing arts building.
Mexico City: Museo Soumay is the private art museum of Carlos Slim. Link: Seven Reasons to Visit Mexico City.
Mexico City: Day of the Dead Parade Floats. There were hundreds of floats along Reforma Avenue.
Mexico City: Inside Monumento a la Revolución at night with its glass elevator to the observation deck.
Mexico City: Monumento a la Revolución at night.
Mexico City: It was fun to watch children and families play in the Dancing Light fountain at Monumento a la Revolution in the evenings.
Mexico City: Dancing Fountain Light Show at Monumento a la Revolucion. It was also a poplar spot for romantic couples.
Las Vegas, USA: Every night downtown Vegas’ Freemont Street, becomes a psychedelic light show. LED lights have replaced neon.
Las Vegas, USA: If you get to Las Vegas you have to visit the Neon Boneyard Park. It has 150+ old neon signs scattered over two acres. It is very fun. Link: Las Vegas: Neon Boneyard Park
Medicine Hat, Canada: Most cities have great old neon signs that are a reminder of the past. Medicine Hat has many, like this one. Anybody remember what a dataport was?
St. George, USA: I love public spaces that are animated, especially with children.
Mexico City: There is always lots of people in Alameda Central Park which was created in 1592 in downtown. I loved this temporary art installation and so did locals of all ages.
Spokane, USA: How fun is this? I wish I had tried the slide. What was I thinking? It is located in Riverfront Park that was home to the city’s world’s fair in 1974.
Leipzig, Germany: Ceiling of St. Nicholas Church. In 1989, the first Monday Demonstrations meetings that resulted in the peaceful revolt again communism met here.
Leipzig, Germany: detail of church ceiling.
St. George, USA: As you move further south in the USA the Spanish/Mexican cultural influences begin to appear.
Tucson, USA: University of Arizona campus. Link: University of Arizona: Resort vs Research
Berlin, Germany: I love how an very ordinary building has been transformed into an intriguing piece of public art. Do you recognize any of these figures?
Berlin, Germany: Sony Centre is the centre piece of the redevelopment of an entire neighbourhood with contemporary architecture.
Hamilton, Canada: Since 1920, Hamilton has been hosting an annual “Mum Show” which includes 200 different varieties of chrysanthemums - 75,000+ flowers in total. Link: Hamilton: The Flower City
Phoenix, Arizona: Desert Botanical Garden
It is home to several Dale Chihuly glass sculptures.
Winnipeg, Canada: Canadian Museum for Human Rights at The Forks. Link: Winnipeg vs Calgary: The Forks vs East Village
Winnipeg, Canada: Esplanade Riel Bridge links downtown to St. Boniface at the Forks, a huge downtown public space where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet.
Winnipeg, Calgary: Historic Union Station still functions as a passenger train station.
Winnipeg, Canada: The Exchange District is home to one of the best collection of early 20th century architecture in North America.
Denver, USA: Denver Art Museum is another example museums of late 20th century quirky architecture.
Edmonton, Canada: Art Gallery of Alberta is knock-off of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilboa
Denver, USA: East 2 West Source Point, Larry Kirkland.
Seattle, USA: The Convention Centre galleria links the two buildings on either side of the road. A similar galleria was proposed for Calgary’s Stephen Avenue linking two office/shopping complexes with a pedestrian mall underneath, but never happened.
Seattle, USA: The Museum of Pop Culture designed by Frank Gehry has a unique fluidity as a result of 21,000 individually shaped stainless steel and painted aluminum panels that resect the surrounding buildings like the distorted Space Needle in this photo.
Calgary, Canada: This is the block of Stephen Avenue Walk that was suppose to have a galleria like the one above in Seattle. Instead it got 10 white structures that have no name, but are commonly called “Trees.”
Seattle, USA: This giant popsicle by Catherine Mayer, is located on Blanchard St. in Seattle’s Belltown neighbourhood. I love fun, funky quirky things.
Phoenix, USA: The official title of this piece by Janet Echelman is “Her Secret Is Patience” from a Ralph Waldo Emerson essay. But locals refer to it as “miniature tornado,” “a worm hole” and “a fisherman’s net.” It is interesting to me how many public art works are renamed by locals!
Scottsdale, USA: Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright home.
Vancouver, Canada: Wall Centre tower is a combination hotel condo. When we last visited we stayed in an mid-century office building across the street which has been converted into condos. I was fascinated by the totem-like reflection in the curved facade. See below.
Vancouver, Canada: Loved this mural on the side of a condo tower, that also reminded me of a contemporary totem pole. The pop of bright colours in sea of monochromatic glass was delightful.
Vancouver, Canada: Wall Centre Totems
Vancouver, Canada: Wall Centre Totems
Calgary, Canada: I love taking photos that juxtaposition old and new architecture.
Tuscon, USA: Old vs New
Nashville, USA: Old vs New
Calgary, USA: This “Big Head” (that is what most people call it) sculpture is by Jaume Plensa and the title is “Wonderland” it depicts the innocence of a young person with a long future ahead of her, reflecting the fact Calgary is a young city.
Tucson, USA: This is Wonderland’s cousin hanging out on the campus of the University of Arizona. I have found Plensa heads in several cities.
Atlanta, USA: What is it about cities and “Big Head” sculptures. The actual title of the piece is “World Events“ and it by famous British artist Tony Cragg. It is made of hundreds of life-size aluminum mannequin-like figures.
Montreal, Canada: Montreal is home to hundreds of murals as a result of a long history of street art. I found this one particularly intriguing especially when pedestrians walked by. I love the scale, tension and the narrative.
Saskatoon, Canada: Found this mural of Christ on the cross on the side of old retail building that had been converted into a church for street people.
Atlanta, USA: I have never experienced anything like the Sunday afternoon parade of pedestrians and cyclists along Atlanta’s Beltline pathway. It was chaos.
Calgary, Canada: Calgary boasts over 1,000 km of multi-use pathways. The Bow River Pathway along the Bow River in downtown is very popular with Calgarians of all ages and backgrounds.
Portland, USA: Portland’s river promenade is beautiful in the spring.
Seattle, Washington: Found this lovely garden at the back of a condo complex, with just a single chair looking out over the water. One of my ongoing photo themes is “best places to sit.”
Victoria, Canada: Old City Hall was constructed in stages between 1878 and 1891.
Calgary, Canada: Old City Hall with its clock tower, opened in 1911 and is still used for offices and meeting rooms.
Victoria, Canada: Bay Street Armoury, opened in 1915.
Calgary, Canada: Mewata Armoury opened in 1918. Mewata is a Cree word for “joyful or happy” place.
Dublin, Ireland: View of park outside the Chester Beatty Library. Link: Chester Beatty Library - Look but don’t touch!
Dublin, Ireland: Dublin has many famous bridges, named after famous people who have lived there. My favourite is Ha’penny Bridge, so named because you once had to pay a half a penny to cross. It is also the oldest bridge. Link: Dublin’s Famous Bridges
Rome, Italy: The Vatican Link: The Wonders of the Vatican.
Rome, Italy: Colosseum was built in 70 - 80 AD. Link: Colosseum History
Rome, Italy: Spanish Steps designed in 1723 is a popular spot to sit and people watch.
Boise, USA: Freak Alley lined with graffiti art is a popular meeting spot in downtown Boise, it is also a popular spot for photo shoots.
Victoria, Canada: Plaque reads: First Dominion Government Crown erected in British Columbia surmounting the first Post Office built on this site in 1873.
Victoria, Canada: The new Johnson Street Bridge opened in March 2018. It allows cars, pedestrians and cyclists to cross the harbour, as well as swinging up to allow boats to go underneath. This is the fourth bridge at this site. Link: Johnson Street Bridge
Florence, Italy: The calm Arno River flows through the city creating beautiful reflections.
Florence,Italy: The streets of Florence are full of fun surprises.
Florence, Italy: I loved this surreal photo as it reminds me of a Rene Magritte painting.
Rome, Italy: I loved the Ponte Sant’ Angelo bridge completed in 134 AD by Roman Emperor Hadrain. Up close the statues of Angels look like modern art.
Chicago: Marc Chagall’s “American Windows” is one of the most beloved treasures in the Chicago Art Institute’s collection.
London UK: St. Bartholomew’s Hospital founded in 1123 has these lovely stain glass windows in the chapel.
Nashville, USA: Nashville convention centre is like an art museum with 100+ pieces of public art. Link: MusicCentre Art Collection.
I was fascinated by this piece that spans the buildings five-floors (117 feet). It is titled “Euphony” and was created by Ball-Nogues Studio. It is made up of 25 miles of stainless steel chain.
Victoria, Canada: Moss Lady in Beacon Hill Park was constructed in 2015, but looks like she has been there for decades. Artist Dale Doebert was inspired by the Mud Maid in Cornwall’s Lost Garden of Heligan.
Saskatoon, Canada: These birdhouses are in the backyard of a private residence. I was so impressed I bought two for myself and then two more for family. Actually they are not birdhouses but nest boxes. Learn why: Birdhouse vs Nest Box Learn more about these nest boxes at Sasktoon Stories: Picasso Birdhouses & Gory Puppets
Portland, Oregon: I love to search for old sidewalk stamps in every city I visit. Link: Portland Sidewalk Stamp Capital of North America.
Edmonton, Canada: I also love contemporary sidewalk stamps.
London, UK. I love the fact that there is a neighbourhood pub on every corner in London. Link: London: A Walk Back In Time!
London, UK. Loved this simple reminder of the past. More cities need to do this, as it adds so much charm to the pedestrian experience.
London Ontario: In many cities the post office building is one of the most prominent early 20th century buildings.
Buffalo, USA: Post Office Building, 1901
Detail
Buffalo, USA: detail of post office.
Edmonton, Canada: Love this Transit Centre.
Calgary, Canada: 7th Avenue LRT Station
Calgary, Canada: Memorial Park library opened in 1912, in the beautiful Central Memorial Park. It is a Carnegie Library. I worked in this library for 10 years as the Executive Director/Curator of the Mutant Public Art Gallery. Link: Discover Calgary’s Secret Heritage Walk.
Berlin, Germany: This was the floor of an indoor shopping centre viewed from the top of the escalator to the second floor. It made for a fun optical illusion. Link: Berlin is definitely quirky!
Medicine Hat, Canada: I loved this playful sidewalk in downtown Medicine Hat. It made me smile.
St: George Carousel, Many small cities we visited in the USA have a fun carousel in a park in the downtown.
Spokane Carousel, aka roundabout, merry-go-round, galloper, jumper, horseabout and flying horses, is located in Riverfront Park.
Lyon, France: Plaza with Merry-go-round.
Palm Springs: Arts Centre employs local colour and design to make a contemporary statement.
Calgary: Alberta Children’s Hospital was designed based on ideas from children.
Calgary: SAIT campus new architecture combines elements of old and new, linking past to future.
Chicago, USA: Old green building design.
Calgary, Canada: The Peace Bridge is a popular spot for pedestrian to cross the Bow River.
Tucson: This pedestrian bridge crosses a busy highway.
Spokane, USA: Spokane is a hidden gem when it comes to early 20th architecture.
Spokane, USA: “The Joy of Running Together” is a public artwork in honour of the annual Spokane Bloomsday Run. It comprises 40 life-sized figures created by artist David Govedare.
Chicago, USA: I loved the staircase in the Gold Coast neighbourhood so much I did a blog about them. Link: Chicago: Stairways to Heaven!
Palm Springs: If you like mid-century architecture and design you have to go to Palm Springs.
Palm Springs: mid-century bank
Palm Springs: mid-century house
Victoria, Canada: It seems like there is a church on every corner in Victoria’s City Centre. I counted five in along two blocks of one street.
Atlanta, USA: I love playgrounds that can also be art parks like this one. Link: Playground as Sculpture Park
Victoria, Canada: I love documenting different bike racks. Link: Freakn Fun Funky Quirky Bike Racks
Waterton, Canada: The Prince of Wales Hotel (opened in 1927) site proudly on a bluff overlooking the town and the lake.
Last Word
Congratulations you made it to the end of this blog. Hope you enjoyed the tour.