A Visit to the Alberta Legislative Building: Through Lao Zheng's Eyes
"Canada Through Lao Zheng's Lens" โ A Quirky Adventure at the Alberta Legislative Building ๐ถโโ๏ธ This year, our company's annual conference whisked us away to Edmonton . After the hustle and bustle of the event, Lao Zheng decided to seize the weekend and explore the Alberta Legislative Buildingโbecause, hey, free admission is always a win! ๐๏ธ๐ Nestled snugly in downtown Edmonton, with the river as its scenic backdrop , this 1912-built beauty sports a domed architectural style that, from a distance, looks like a quirky, unplastered cousin of the United States Capitol ๐๏ธ๐. First things first, I booked my visit online ๐ฑ and arrived a bit early, loitering around the west entrance like a lost tourist . After breezing through security , each of us was handed a shiny visitor's badge ๐ท๏ธ๐. When the clock struck the right time, a staff member led us on a 45-minute tour through the building's nooks and crannies . Arriving ahead of schedule, I took a leisurely stroll around the building and was gobsmacked to find that the Canadian Maple Leaf flag wasn't fluttering in the breeze ๐๐ฒ. Instead, there was the Alberta provincial flag, the Union Jack, and what seemed to be an old, forgotten Canadian flag ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง. It wasn't until I wandered around to the back that I spotted the elusive Maple Leaf flag, waving proudly in the wind ๐ฌ๏ธ. I couldn't help but think, "This is so... Canadian!" ๐จ๐ฆ Looking at the cracked parking lot and the asphalt patches on the building's facade ๐งฑ๐ง, I chuckled to myself, "The Alberta government's facilities management department must be having a laugh! Haven't they noticed all these cracks? And patching concrete with asphalt? It's like a patchwork quilt gone wrong!" ๐ ๐๏ธ Once inside, passing by the Premier's office , I couldn't resist asking the guide if the Premier usually works here and if he was in today. The guide nodded, confirming that the Premier does work here but was away for the weekend, probably enjoying some well-deserved R&R ๐๏ธ๐ด. I was about to knock on the door, but since the Premier wasn't in, I decided to play it cool and just wave at the empty office . At the Mace Display area ๐จ๐๏ธ, the guide's explanation had me in stitches. The mace, symbolizing the legislative authority of the parliament, was almost forgotten before Alberta's first parliamentary session . In a panic, they scrounged around for materials and cobbled together a mace that looked like it was made from spare parts ๐งฉ๐ง. The spherical base of the mace? A toilet tank float! I couldn't help but imagine the parliamentarians debating laws with a toilet float as their symbol of power ๐ผ. After touring the entire building, what really blew Lao Zheng's mind wasn't the architecture itself but the entire provincial government compoundโno walls, no fences, no gates, not even a signboard to say "Keep Out!" . Anyone could stroll into the garden square of the Legislative Building, take photos, or have a picnic ๐ธ๐งบ. The only thing that set it apart was a police car parked outside the visitor center, like a silent guardian . I also asked the staff if the Lieutenant Governor and the Premier usually hung out here. They replied with a smile, saying the Lieutenant Governor often personally guides visitors, introducing them to the Legislative Building like a proud parent showing off their child's artwork ๐จ๐จโ๐ง. It seems the Lieutenant Governor isn't too busy, maybe enjoying a bit of parliamentary tourism on the side . #QuirkyAdventures #FreeAttractions #HistoricalFun ๐
