WINNIPEG, WITH COUPONS

MANITOBAN PRAIRIES

NEW MARKET, ONTARIO 

On August 4th, I set out for Winnipeg. Still filthy from Fuji Rock, and with a trail of Okinawan sand dragging on my tail, I embarked on the 22 hour journey from Naha to Winnipeg. As I approached home, I caught a glimpse of Manitoba in her finest hour. Dusk was rolling in and the fields were on fire. It. Was. Spectacular.

Welcome to Winnipeg, capital city of Friendly Manitoba. I spent 2 weeks in Canada for my summer holidays, reuniting and reconnecting. For 3 of those days, I discovered Winnipeg through the eyes of a part-time golf club employee, full-time student and devoted couponer. Friends, prepare yourselves as I walk you through Jessie Rew's Coupon Tour of Winnipeg.

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THE COUPON TOUR OF WINNIPEG

We set out bright and early. Months of breathless anticipation had preceded this cloudy Tuesday morning, and it was finally happening. Parking at the Inn at the Forks, we took in the grey skies and fresh morning air as we crossed the the Esplanade Riel footbridge to the Salisbury House.

We had arrived.

Stop #1: The Salisbury House, 2-for-1 two-egg breakfast.

At 9 am, Jessie and I had the entire restaurant to ourselves. We took our eggs and bacon with a cup of coffee and a window seat, watching the Red River float away from underneath us.

(Fact: After the footbridge's completion in 2003, the restaurant remained unoccupied – its fate an endless point of curiosity for locals. Which Michelin Star restaurant would fill this empty space? Months went by without a tenant, and eventually greasy spoon diner and Winnipeg institution Salisbury House swooped in, pleasing pretty much nobody. But years later, the Sals is still serving two-egg breakfasts, Nips and Wafer Pie to loyal customers.)

Stop #2: Saint Boniface Museum, 2-for-1 admission.

Full of coffee, butter and bacon, we continued down the bridge into Saint Boniface, Winnipeg's French quarter. Strolling through the Saint Boniface Cathedral and Cemetery, we made our way to the convent-turned-museum to learn about Francophone and Métis history. Jackpot – we got the student discount.

Stop #3: Espresso Junction in Johnson Terminal.

It was noon. We'd been couponing for almost 2 hours and we were exhausted. Time for 2-for-1 beverages! Heading back over the footbridge to The Forks Market, we sat by the window, soaking in the prairie sunshine over a cup of coffee.

Stop #4: Mini donuts at The Forks, buy-1-get-1-50%-off.

Forget, for a moment, that literally no one ever has needed an entire bag of mini donuts to themselves. These are hot, cinnamon-sugar donuts straight out of the deep fryer – not to mention my childhood. You can't go to The Forks without getting mini donuts – everybody knows that.

Stop #5: Human Bean at the Millennium Library, 2-for-1 beverages.

Out of their two locations that I am aware of, this is arguably their least scenic. But the coupon was explicit in its limitations, so we paid a visit to the Millennium Library for a few coffees for the road.

Stop #6: The Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2-for-1 admission.
Their current exhibition, Fairies Tales, Monsters and the Genetic Imagination freaked me right out, and I think that was the point. Although I wasn't prepared for such deep questions of human identity, morality and reproduction, there are some great instillations on display right now.

Stop #7: The Assiniboine Park Steam Train, 2-for-1 admission, and the conductor will probably let you keep the coupon.

Unfazed by the reality that we would be the only ones on the train sans toddler, we headed to the Assiniboine Park to take in all of the sights and sounds of the park from the comfort of a steam train. At 2 km/h, it's safe to say we missed nothing.

And that, my friends, is how you coupon tour. I rediscovered Winnipeg this week. Glen Murray's words are resonating with me more than ever these days. Winnipeg, you're not so bad. I actually really like you.