Peg and I attended the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour for many years beginning in Columbus in the early 90s. We decided several years ago that after retiring we would attend the real deal. This was to be the year so here I am.
I flew into Calgary last Friday and took the shuttle to the Banff Centre For Arts and Creativity which hosts the Film and Book Festival. I am staying at a hotel within the complex. I purchased the super duper ticket package so I will be attending all of the film screenings, lectures and book author talks.
On Saturday and Sunday I viewed twenty two films ranging in length from five minutes to seventy four minutes in length. They were all good and some were just plain fantastic. I was also treated to a presentation by Sonnie Trotter, Canada's premier rock climber, and Florian Schulz, a German nature photographer. What a treat.
The most intriguing film was titled "3000 Cups of Tea" which is a film in defense of Greg Mortenson who wrote the book "Three Cups of Tea" and has been responsible for building schools and educating thousands of girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Five or six years ago 60 Minutes and Jon Krakauer did a piece that really threw Greg under the bus. They claimed Greg stole from the non-profit that he set up and that many of the schools Greg claimed to build did not exist. Neither Greg or his non-profit were ever consulted. The film was EXCELLENT! Both the Director, Jennifer Jordon, and her Producer husband, Jeff Rhoads, introduced the film. The audience had a very pleasant surprise when it was announced that Greg himself was in the audience. I sat about ten seats from him.
After the film Jennifer answered some questions and Greg was invited to say a few words. He appeared as a very humble man who stated that although he made mistakes his primary goal has always been the education of girls and young women in Afghanistan and Pakistan. At the conclusion of his comments he made an interesting observation. I summary and paraphrasing "For almost all of recorded history men have been in charge and on the whole we haven't done a very good job. We must continue to educate women and allow them their say as to how the world operates." I could not agree more. Thanks Greg.
I have hiked everyday and have also taken advantage of the Banff Centre's great gym.
Today marks one year since Peg's death. I know Peg is where she always knew she would be....eternal peace and joy. We had an unbelievable 49 year run that produced three extraordinary children and now their extended families. Thanks Beav. I'm a happy camper and still loving life. Peg can now see things through my 20/20 eyes.
ILYB
Banff Centre Complex
Banff Town Centre from the summit of Tunnel Mt.
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. For the 1%.
Afternoon tea is $45. Ouch!
Nice view from the golf course
Looking east from Tunnel Mt.
Me and Beav near the Tunnel Mt. summit
I flew into Calgary last Friday and took the shuttle to the Banff Centre For Arts and Creativity which hosts the Film and Book Festival. I am staying at a hotel within the complex. I purchased the super duper ticket package so I will be attending all of the film screenings, lectures and book author talks.
On Saturday and Sunday I viewed twenty two films ranging in length from five minutes to seventy four minutes in length. They were all good and some were just plain fantastic. I was also treated to a presentation by Sonnie Trotter, Canada's premier rock climber, and Florian Schulz, a German nature photographer. What a treat.
The most intriguing film was titled "3000 Cups of Tea" which is a film in defense of Greg Mortenson who wrote the book "Three Cups of Tea" and has been responsible for building schools and educating thousands of girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Five or six years ago 60 Minutes and Jon Krakauer did a piece that really threw Greg under the bus. They claimed Greg stole from the non-profit that he set up and that many of the schools Greg claimed to build did not exist. Neither Greg or his non-profit were ever consulted. The film was EXCELLENT! Both the Director, Jennifer Jordon, and her Producer husband, Jeff Rhoads, introduced the film. The audience had a very pleasant surprise when it was announced that Greg himself was in the audience. I sat about ten seats from him.
After the film Jennifer answered some questions and Greg was invited to say a few words. He appeared as a very humble man who stated that although he made mistakes his primary goal has always been the education of girls and young women in Afghanistan and Pakistan. At the conclusion of his comments he made an interesting observation. I summary and paraphrasing "For almost all of recorded history men have been in charge and on the whole we haven't done a very good job. We must continue to educate women and allow them their say as to how the world operates." I could not agree more. Thanks Greg.
I have hiked everyday and have also taken advantage of the Banff Centre's great gym.
Today marks one year since Peg's death. I know Peg is where she always knew she would be....eternal peace and joy. We had an unbelievable 49 year run that produced three extraordinary children and now their extended families. Thanks Beav. I'm a happy camper and still loving life. Peg can now see things through my 20/20 eyes.
ILYB
Afternoon tea is $45. Ouch!
