A Beautiful Fall Day in Calgary’s Edworthy Park
I had been invited for a 2 PM lunch at the Tiffin Curry and Roti House by Shameela Karmali, whom I first met in Burlington, Ontario, in 1998. We were meeting after 25 years, and one of the topics of our conversation would be her daughter Kiana’s two short films, Inside Job and Mama of Manyatta, that are making their debut for the first time in Canada on October 15, 2023, at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. Our sister website Simerg featured a MUST READ insightful interview with Kiana last week.
I had been up very early on October 1. Toronto Blue Jays had already qualified for the wild card playoff by default when the Seattle Mariners lost to the Texas Rangers the previous evening. Also, Tottenham Hotspurs, my favourite football (soccer) team for 62 years from my days in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo) in Mozambique, remained undefeated in the English Premiere League after their 2-1 win over Liverpool. Saturday, September 29 had been good. Missing the Jays final game on Sunday afternoon, October 1, didn’t matter that much, replays were available. The sky was overcast after overnight rain. Edworthy Park was the first park I remember visiting after my arrival in Calgary. On the previous 2 days I had taken beautiful — and must see — fall photographs at Baker, Bowness and Confederation Parks. Why not spend the morning until luch time at Edworthy? And so it was.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Edworthy Park has two sections that are divided by the Bow River. From the southern side, which includes an unleashed dog area on the hilly section, you get a beautiful view of the Calgary skyline. Lower down, there is a large picnic area. A freight train crosses sporadically several times a day. The Bow River flows through the park, with a short 125 metre bridge allowing pedestrians and cyclists to cross the iconic river onto the northern side which has a nice restaurant, Angel’s Cafe, as well as a scenic paved trail that you can walk or cycle for miles.
So for me it was a glorious morning of a long walk and picture taking followed by a delicious luch of ribs, daal bhajias and black kebabs at the Tiffin. The restaurant overflowed with Ismailis. I was introduced to a number of Ismailis. Some knew about my 3 website initiatives. A reader brought warmth to my heart when she spoke lovingly about my late parents Jehangir and Maleksultan (“Mrs Merchant”) who were her teachers in Dar es Salaam in the 1960’s. A wonderful day that began in nature, concluded with a delicious treat at Tiffin and meeting gracious members of the Ismaili Jamat. Enjoy the photographs!
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REJECT DESPONDENCY AND HAVE HOPE
The plaque shown above on a memorial bench at Edworthy Park, reminded me of a quote by the late 48th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. His Highness the Aga Khan III said:
You must remember that life will have for you many disappointments. If one-fifth of one’s hopes are realised, one is extremely lucky and fortunate, so do not be discouraged by disappointments. Failures should be forgotten and new efforts made. Despondency is a sin, and hope a necessary part of Iman (faith) both for material wealth and, above all, for progress to spiritual enlightenment — the late Aga Khan III, 48th Hereditary Ismaili Imam
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WATER
“Water, after all, has been seen, down through the ages, as the great source of life. When scientists search the universe for signs of life, they begin by looking for water. Water restores and renews and refreshes. And opening ourselves and our lives to the water is to open ourselves and our lives to the future — the current Aga Khan, 49th Hereditary Ismaili Imam, speaking in reference to the Ottawa River
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Date posted: October 2, 2023.
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