Ok...so I learned that just because Lake Winnipeg is large, doesn't mean I can call it an ocean. It was a good practice for the real thing. When I came into Gimli, I fully expected to see a 1/8 scale replica of a 767 as well as a Gimli Glider Museum and assorted gift shops selling Gimli Glider memorabila with phrases such as " I bought a ticket to Edmonton but ended up in Gimli!" or "I just dropped into Gimli!" but there was nothing. What was being talked up was the film festival in town. The streets were also adorned with the Canadian Flag, the provincial flag, and the flag of Iceland. It turns out that I was the one most excited about the incident. My highlight was finding out that the Evergreen Regional Librarian had actually been at the field that day attending a school reunion when the 767 came in. She didn't actually see it but was there within a minute of it happening. Good enough for me. She was also good enough to get me out the New York Times best seller, "Free Fall" written about the flight. Neat story.
After some fries and an Icelandic Fog drink at the Coffee Haus, I get a note from Couchsurfer host Michele. I boogie over to her house and settle in. She is a long distance runner who is training for a marathon on Victoria this October. She works in early childhood education and we talked about kids for a bit before busting out the guitars and doing a song sharing session. She is a piano player who is coming back to the guitar. Very impressive singing and song writing. I was so happy to have a place to stay, shower, and as an added bonus, do laundry!! I felt like I won the Hobo lottery! We talked a little of the feel of the town and Michele echoed what other residents had said to me that when the tourists come, the residents hide. The next big thing after the film fest is the Icelandic festival. All the Kutmager and Gravlax you can put down! As we both had to get up early the next morning, I said goodnight about 9 and enjoyed the soft, warm bed.
After some fries and an Icelandic Fog drink at the Coffee Haus, I get a note from Couchsurfer host Michele. I boogie over to her house and settle in. She is a long distance runner who is training for a marathon on Victoria this October. She works in early childhood education and we talked about kids for a bit before busting out the guitars and doing a song sharing session. She is a piano player who is coming back to the guitar. Very impressive singing and song writing. I was so happy to have a place to stay, shower, and as an added bonus, do laundry!! I felt like I won the Hobo lottery! We talked a little of the feel of the town and Michele echoed what other residents had said to me that when the tourists come, the residents hide. The next big thing after the film fest is the Icelandic festival. All the Kutmager and Gravlax you can put down! As we both had to get up early the next morning, I said goodnight about 9 and enjoyed the soft, warm bed.