A Winnipeg Affair

One Great City

Word has it that there isn't a very positive image of Winnipeg on social media. A news segment on CTV this week brought this topic to light and the least shocking part about this, was that the negative feedback and comments discovered through a quick search of Twitter or Facebook, come directly from residents. It's no secret that Winnipeg residents like to harp on the city. We even wrote a song about it. We love to hate our city.

In my opinion, we simply don't appreciate what we have. Leave the city for a few weeks, months or even years and you'll see what I mean. I personally LOVE this city (now). This certainly wasn't always the case. Growing up in Transcona I can say I was pretty sheltered. I NEVER left Transcona (I mean why would you it's pretty great; except for the trains).

toot toot

I always proclaimed my hatred for the city, (being 16 you always have to hate something), and I was going to move somewhere "sooo cool" when I graduated. Well guess what 16 year old Melissa? To leave you need something important: money. 

Hundred dolla, hundred dolla bill real, uh (thanks Jay-Z)

Fast forward two years and I didn't have a money tree in my back yard, so now 18 year old me had to choose a school *gasp* here (the horror). So that meant I was trapped. Stuck pursuing my post-secondary education in this horribly "boring" town, I was ultimately doomed. The 5 years I spent at the University of Winnipeg would prove myself incredibly wrong. 

Since my first semester over 5 years ago, I find myself constantly discovering new people, places and things to do. Winnipeg is booming and recent developments across the city such as the new Bomber stadium, Ikea, residential developments in the Downtown and Exchange district, and the return of the Jets are proof that Winnipeg is going to look very different in the next 5 years. Having recently graduated, I look forward to starting my career in this city and hopefully contributing to its future growth. 

Long story short, I have made the decision to dedicate my blog this summer to documenting my explorations across the city to prove that there's more to Winnipeg than the awful weather, constant road construction, mosquitoes and HORRIBLE drivers. (I'll admit that those examples really don't make a great case for where I'm going here...). 

Spawn of Satan

I'm going to try and see this beautiful city as though I were a tourist; through new eyes if you will. How will I accomplish that? Great question. Tourism Winnipeg put out a list of 101 things to do in Winnipeg in the Spring/Summer. Since I'm (no joke) so broke, I will naturally attempt to do all the free stuff first. For anyone interested here is the entire list: 101 Things to do in Winnipeg

I hope that this inspires others to start a love affair with Winnipeg because it's pretty wonderful.