Day 3

What do you get when you drop the 80 KM between Calgary and the Rockies? Salt Lake City. The mountains are right on the doorstep. It is spectacular. The downside? It is cold. Granted, no colder than Calgary, but in Calgary I wasn't walking everywhere. Sunday... I set out to buy my tickets to the Sundance Festival. To be up front, I did mess up. I had the opportunity to get Advanced Tickets but decided I would prefer to purchase individual tickets as to ensure I could work my schedule. The website said I could buy online on Jan. 15 but neglected to inform you needed to register on the site prior to Dec. 17 to buy online AT ALL. So they screwed me. Fine. My hostel is some 12 blocks from the ticket office, so I set out on foot. I got lost. Ended up in Temple-ville — which is actually pretty neat. The number of religious temples, churches, and the like is mind-boggling. There is an incredible sense of history, where the city originated. Eventually, I doubled back and found the ticket office. I did ok. I got a ticket for each day but only one in Park City, where the main festivities are held. I'll drop in a couple of days and otherwise occupy myself in SLC, where my screeings are. I made it back to my hostel and watched the Niners beat the Falcons on a 12-inch tv. I tried going to a local sports bar but it was packed. Either way, the 49ers screwed everything up. I was going to pass through Atlanta and watch the Super Bowl at a bar had they made it, but no. Ironic, I was in San Fran a year ago and loved it. Now the city is just screwing me over for my affection. That night I walked to a local theater for my first film, Shopping. A New Zealand film, it portrayed a young Maori boy who falls in with a bad crowd. Good little film. The theatre was spectacular; one of those throwbacks with wood floors and a stage in front of the screen. Loved it. Monday... Today was low-key as I had no film tickets. I had scouted some places to visit and had a few errands, so I set out first thing to a mall to buy some sandals for my Florida leg. The mall I went to was next to Energy Solutions Arena (corporate sponsorship is so fun!) and had a great layout. The design utilize storefronts that faced into neat squares and terraces. Got my sandals on discount, 8 bucks. Boom. Grabbed a coffee, sat down and read Brave New World for an hour. After that, I made the drive to the Salt Lake City Olympic Oval, built for the 2002 games. The majority of the place was closed. However, I got a pic of the records plaque in the lobby. Canadians hold four track records. Hell yes. Other than that, it looks a helluva lot like the Calgary Oval. Afterwards, I drove back to my hostel and walked to the library. It was closed for Martin Luther Kind Jr. Day. Again, I admire the man and his holiday screws me for my affection. I finished the day reading and writing at my hostel. Good day.