10: Things You Should Try Alone At Least Once

10 years ago
Posted in:Winnipeg
0
Author: genievec

I was watching this Buzzfeed video the other day:

and it really encouraged me to go out of my comfort zone.

I never liked the idea of going out alone, not to mention traveling alone.

I’ve always thought it was embarrassing to go out alone, it makes me feel vulnerable and lonely.

But, it never hurts to try.

So, during the week, I carefully planned out places that I would like to go, checked the map and prices.

The planning part was scary, because I’m not the best with maps.

I would spend hours and hours staring at the map until I have the image mentally stored in my brain.

So my plan:

Manitoba Legislative Building –> Winnipeg Art Gallery –> Sandwich and Soups Cafe

9:00AM

I woke up naturally. I was actually excited for this trip.

This is my very first time going out alone.

I finished my usual breakfast (2 bread + slice of cheese), and hurried out to catch the bus.

10:45AM Manitoba Legislative Building

This building is known as a tourist attraction area, but when I got there, it was really empty.

Maybe I got there too early?

I wasn’t sure if I was allowed inside, so I walked around the building.

The entire building is surrounded by green grass, and the sun was out providing that perfect amount of warmth.

It really reminded me of Vancouver.

I walked around the building for 30 minutes, then I found a bench and just sat there for the next 40 minutes.

I didn’t talk to anyone, I didn’t have a book, and I didn’t turn on the WIFI.

At first, I felt really uncomfortable.

I’m alone. On a bench. With no one to talk to. Nothing to do.

But the feeling started to sink in, and being alone doesn’t feel that bad after all.

I have a pretty view, I have all the time in the world, and I don’t need to strike up awkward conversations with anyone else.

It’s just me, my thoughts, and the view.

It took me a long time trying to find the correct entrance in the legislative building, it was almost frustrating,

but the view inside was: Orgasmic.

The building followed a roman architecture style, everything was symmetrical.

This kind of ancient feel was something I’ve never experienced in Vancouver.

There were paintings designed above the entrance, delicate patterns engraved on the wall, and sculptures carved above your head.

I’ve never been to Europe, but I think I just got my daily dose of Europe just by standing inside the building.

I was walking up and down the stairwell trying to capture all the different angles inside the building, and I accidentally went to the basement.

I don’t think the basement is opened for the public, because it was darker, cleaning equipment were visible to the eye, and in one of the rooms, there was a constant tapping sound.

I literally ran out of the building after I realized I was the only one in the basement.

12:13PM Stella’s Cafe

My original plan was to head straight to the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG), but my tummy was protesting really hard.

So I caved in and went to the cafe one of the bloggers were recommending.

Stella’s Cafe was right beside WAG.

At first I thought it was just a small empty cafe.

Oh man I was wrong.

It’s a restaurant filled with people.

I stood outside of their entrance contemplating whether I should go in alone or find another small cafe.

“Table for 1 please“, that’s something I never thought I would say.

I requested to sit outside, since I rarely see a sunny day in Winnipeg.

The waiter took real good care of me,

“It’s a perfect day to explore the city on your own, eh? What would you like for lunch today?”

I ordered the cafe breakfast and hot chocolate.

Something really nice about Winnipeg is:

it’s super easy to find meals under $10 with big portions.

The cafe breakfast only cost $9.

Was it the best meal I’ve ever had? Not really.

But was it filling? Yes very.

While I was eating, I casually flipped through the tourism guide I snatched from the legislative building.

Fun Fact:

The Manitoba Legislative Building has a golden statue sitting on top of the highest roof. That statue is called: The Golden Boy. It was painted in gold, and it was actually a part of a war ship during the First World War.

After finishing my meal,

I asked the waiter what places in the city he would recommend me to go:

“Let’s see, are you the shopping type or are you more into sight seeing?”

Sight seeing, always sight seeing.

“The Forks, you NEED to go to The Forks. There’s a market and there’s a park, it’s filled with fun activities for you to enjoy. But I highly recommend you to go before 6:00PM, because most of the shops would close around that time.”

“Osborne Village is also a to go place, they have independent shops and food vendors there, it’s worth checking out”

“The Exchange District, they have older buildings that give you a different feel of the city”