Monday

We picked up time during the night, which was surprising because when I roused it always seemed we were stopped and waiting for a freight train to pass through.  But even with the time we gained, we were still running behind time.  I have a much better understanding, and acceptance for why passenger trains are not always on time.  It must be a challenge endeavouring to keep the schedule while juggling the demands of the freight train timetable as well.

There was much interest and excitement because we were scheduled for a lengthy stop in Winnipeg.  For those who wanted it, Via has an arrangement with a local coach company who meet the train and take passengers on a tour of Winnipeg.  The length of the tour is adjusted to accommodate the actual arrival time of the train.

There were many Australians, British and Americans on the train who were keen to see as much as they could, and so the tour was a popular option.  We decided to walk to The Forks, a shopping centre with crafts as well as souveneirs.   A little distance from The Forks is a park with a cultural circle celebrating the themes that unite us.  

There is also a small monument to the missing and murdered Aboriginal women, a poignant reminder of one of our society's current tragedies
.

Beyond this area of the park is a bridge and you can see the joining of the Assiniboine and the Red Rivers.  

 It looked as though there was a nesting area to the left, and I could hear a Canadian goose --- but I couldn't see him/her ... until I looked directly below the spot where I stood on the bridge ...

 When I spoke to him, he definitely spoke back and posed.  With all those people on the bridge (Labour Day and the weather was gorgeous!) he definitely wanted to be noticed.  He was keeping an eye on what was happening below.

But then it was time for us to head back to the train, and to hear of the adventures of those who took the coach tour.  It sounded interesting and I promised myself - next time - next time I'll take the tour.

The length of the stop in Winnipeg is adjusted, departure time remaining the same, so that the train can get back on schedule.  Winnipeg is also the point at which the crew changes.  They either work Toronto to Winnipeg or Winnipeg to Toronto, and at Winnipeg switch with crew that works either Winnipeg to Vancouver or Vancouver to Winnipeg.  This is the dividing line for Via regions and is roughly the halfway point in the journey.