Edmonton

I only reason I went to Edmonton is because I was talking to a couple in Banff who were on holiday from Vancouver and they told me about this weird mall that was the biggest mall in North America. I don't really like shopping malls so can't explain my reasons other than it sounded interestingly bizarre: It has a full sized ice skating rink, roller coasters in a theme park, a Typhoon Lagoon fake beach and wave machine and slides, a mock pirate ship with water dodgems and a seal show, a themed eating ally way, and of course lots of shops.

I watched a future Olympian training with his coach on the public rink, he must of been only about 6, I'm not sure what language the coach was speaking, or I should say shouting but the body language was obvious. I thought the little lad was amazing, he started of skating forward in a circle with his arms outstretched, he then switched to skating backwards while keeping his head facing the same way, then drew a figure of 8 with one leg held straight behind and then swept the leg forward to propel himself into a spin with his hands stretched towards towards the front and a then a tighter spin by drawing the legs and arms in before finishing into a backward skate balancing on one leg with arms outstretched again. It was beautiful and graceful but the coach didn't seem to think so, he huffed and puffed, raised his arms and eyes heavenward, shook his head and kept exiting the rink to put his head in his hands. The little boy just continued on practicing, at various points the coach would come out and push and pull the boy into the correct poses, and at one point to boy started to cry, I'm not surprised but I guess that's how athletes are made. I must have watched them for an hour mesmerized. Previously 2 older ladies who must have been figure skaters had been gently skating and spinning with the most incredible grace. It was wonderful to watch.

Average tourist RV