Something different

We tried something different this week - we went to the Royal Alberta Museum. Parts of it haven't changed much over the years, but they have this exhibit called "Chop Suey" and it is on the history of Chinese restaurants in Alberta. I have never noticed, but almost every town in Alberta has at least one Chinese restaurant! When we first entered the exhibit, they have a timeline displayed starting with when the Chinese first arrived. It started with the gold rush, which then moved into the railway. I was surprised and ashamed to see the awful treatment the Chinese received. They were charged a head tax, and were monitored very closely. Immigration was very tight, and only men were allowed in initially. First to allow for the railroad to be completed, and after that, they ended up working traditional "women's" jobs - mainly cooking.
The men (who had families back home in China) started to open restaurants, as that was something they could do. And over the last 125 years, these restaurants have endured and have become a part of our culture. Funny though, most of what we consider "Chinese Food" isn't very traditional at all. Our tastes are different, and so are the flavours here. There is much more to this though, and if it still open, I highly recommend it!

Now, the coolest thing ever! In this exhibit, we discovered our very own Sihing William Choy! Bing's is a staple here in Stony Plain and Spruce Grove, and it was such a treat to see him, and to hear about how they used to grow bean sprouts in the basement of their restaurant. I feel so very proud!!! Many high fives to you Sihing!

This was an awesome day... (they even had an interactive Koi pond).