30 Jan - 2 Feb: Edmonton

SuperTrip 2025 proper begins next week, but before we went, various circumstances led us to a long weekend “prequel” in Edmonton, Alberta.

Carey’s Uncle Floyd turns 80 in March, while we are away, and his BC-based cousin, Penny, was/is in Edmonton house-sitting for friends. The other cousins are local. They and their families were available and, in a flurry of Marriott points, an early family birthday celebration was organised.

I’ve only been to Edmonton once before, as a (delighted to be invited to the party) labourer, helping Steve to move in the parts of the new organ for the Catholic Basilica. The Basilica is an incredible building. You could do your PhD simply on its stained glass windows. The light, height, glass and modern linking areas between the complex of older buildings create a really thoughtful and uplifting space. It is a gorgeous place to visit.

But, that's all I'd seen of Edmonton.

This time, the focus of our visit was the family. I come from a very small family. One that moved. And, I also moved – far and wide and often. One of the draws of Calgary was the closeness of Carey’s family. Carey’s brother, Reed, and his wife, Corinne, joined us on Friday evening after work. The birthday party comprised 5 cousins, 5 spouses, 3 children and the guest of honour, plus the dog, Piper, a light-boned, elegant English setter. It was such noisy, full, connective evening. I watched a kind of dance card develop as cousins caught up with each other; spouses introduced themselves and people moved towards, or away from, the drinks and nibbles. The largely glass sitting room was cold, with minus 24 degree weather outside. The people were anything but. It was gone 10 when we said our goodbyes.

We also had time with Reed and Corinne, and also with their local friends. I have valued long-term relationships, but nothing like the breadth of them on display this weekend. I don’t regret my roaming life. Rather, there is/was happiness in seeing how those who stay put reap different harvests.

We spent the rest of our time in West Edmonton Mall. Carey gave me a very downbeat history. For him, it’s old news, the site of high school holiday jobs. BUT, it is the most extraordinary gift to Edmonton, an example of how commercial activity can also add real value to a community and a way of life. The current US-orthodoxy that a company exists only for its shareholders is a conceit, an excuse for a society that values only wealth and the wealthy. It was not always thus. On my podcast, I speak about my commitment to stakeholder capitalism, which WEM exemplifies. The fact that it continues to thrive after 40+ years proves there is another way. And, it turns out, that way includes an indoor water park, a skating rink, a rollercoaster, a ninja training rig, Europe Avenue, China Town, Bourbon Street... As Carey said: “why do we bother to travel?”