Heading back to the hotel I had to see this place called the Giant Tiger Canadian discount store. I had seen in on maps and it looked kinda like a crazy Big Lots.
There was one guy who I am pretty sure was a meth-head. I say this, not out of judgement, I have a lot of sympathy for people with addiction problems, as I have lost good friends to this. But, I am an ER nurse and am pretty good at being able to gauge drug use just by looking at the person's behavior. The thing is though that people on meth rarely eat. Anyway, he followed me around for a while and then I later I saw him stick a box of cereal in his jacket. I was so torn and it happened so quickly that I did not have time to react. It was food -- so the soft socialist in me wanted to not say anything. But then the "moral" person that I am wanted to go up to the clerk and out him. There was a serious inner struggle going on all within a few seconds. I then came up with the idea if just telling the guy I would buy the cereal for him. But I thought too slowly. By the time I came up with the solution, the guy was gone. Opportunity lost. The cereal cost all of $2, so I am sure the Giant Tiger won't close due to that loss. I just wish I either had not witnessed this or been able to react faster.
So, the best thing about the Giant Tiger was the products! I had to get my camera out. Capitaine Crounche - my favorite childhood cereal had gone French! I did come home with some Marshmallow Glitter.
You guys don't have Cap'n Crunch?
ReplyDeleteHa. No, it was the fact that it was also written in French. Which absolutely makes sense of course. But It was nice to see.
ReplyDeleteHey, just wanted to say I am really enjoying your blog and the newspaper articles. I live in Winnipeg and will also be attending all four Weakerhans shows. It's neat to hear about someone's excitement as they experience the Winnipeg locations and sentiments from the songs that, as a Winnipeg resident, I take for granted. Every time I return to Winnipeg from a trip I always put Left and Leaving on in the car or on my ipod. Have a great time in Winnipeg, and make sure you check out the Confusion Corner commuters!!
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you. That really means so much. I feel silly for getting all this attention from the blog... but the blog is not about me. It's about Winnipeg and Weakerthans and how much of a treasure they are.
ReplyDeleteI think Left and Leaving is the universal "coming home" song.
We so often take what we see everyday for granted. I am happy to give a new perspective as an outsider. You guys are lucky to have such a great band and poet documenting the character of your city. It should be a new tourist marketing campaign!
Ahhhh right, I forget about that sometimes haha. Hope your enjoying your time here, maybe I'll see you at the shows. I'll be the guy (possibly one of the guys) with the big camera tonight! I'm taking photos at the show for the Folk Fest.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to downtown Winnipeg! You will likely encounter many instances of this, unfortunately. :|
ReplyDeleteSomewhat related: please do your best to stay safe if you're walking downtown alone at night!! I would not recommend being alone after dark down there at all. Taxis are your friends! :)
Pay no attention to the suburbanite worrywart who made the last comment. You'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteChances are the "meth-head" was actually a sniffer. It is one of the addiction problems many of our aboriginal downtown people struggle with. Their actions are similar to meth-heads but they are actually intoxicated on various fumes ( a la your sealant on your boots!) so do not suffer from the loss of appetite the same way.
ReplyDeleteAh interesting. Thanks for info. I don't have many patients who suffer from sniffing. That makes sense.
ReplyDelete