In light of recent talk lately about the ‘end of the economic recession,’ it seems the tourists are starting to arrive in Banff, ready to spend their hard-earned dollars on good food, mountain lodging, and tacky knick-knacks that you could collect from a multitude of stores that line the main drag. My seat near the window at Starbucks gives me a one-way window onto Banff Avenue and an insightful (and sometimes humorous) glance at this year’s contenders for the ‘Most Obvious Tourist’ Award.
Typical signs include the state of the art digital cameras that swing around the necks of amateur photographers, who will snap just about anything, including the squirrels. There is also the hardcore tourists, who think hiking poles, zip-off pants, and tilley hats are necessary for a stroll downtown. The bear bells have not quite come out yet, but they are usually spotted around Canada Day. That is also the time of year when Americans have asked why we are celebrating Independence Day on the first of July. Additional signs include the ‘deer caught in headlights’ look plastered on their faces, and the ‘Stop to Shop’ technique that has really helped me to improve my lateral agility. Dodging tourists who like to stop in the middle of the sidewalk to look at a goofy t-shirt has become an art, though some have not mastered it just yet.
Posing for the typical tourist photo at the local icecream store...
With all the humour, though, comes a totally fascinating and eclectic summer community. Though transient, to hear eight different languages spoken at once in the line-up here at the coffee shop is a joy. Serving people from a variety of nations in a given night provides unexpected travel…without actual travel. My guests take me to their small farm in Scotland, to the streets of Munich, to the land Down-Under, and the many cities across Canada. Though I don’t enjoy having to avoid near fatal collisions with tourists on the sidewalk and driving their rental cars, I never mind getting stopped on the street to help direct tourists in the right direction. My directions can be provided in French, broken Spanish and Japanese, as well as through large gestures indicating Left, Right, and Upstairs. My childhood love of charades and my degree in theatre has come in handy many times. Sharing my love for the mountains and the ’sweet spots’ that I like to spend my time is always a pleasure.
So, bring on the tourists, and a return to travel through the back alleyways of Banff where large transport trucks offer less of a threat than a collision with a large bus tour looking for the best bison burger in town. Banff was always planned as a tourist town, and that is why we are all here in the first place. Giving them the service they deserve, and that I would appreciate in places I travel to, is a responsibility and a privilege.
Just don’t expect me bend over too far backwards when the way we do things here is not the same as ‘back at home.’ Our coffee might not be strong enough for you, and we can’t control the ever-changing weather. Welcome to Banff, where we have our own, genuine, rugged, wonderful mountain way.
© Meghan J. Ward, 2009.
