Merman - Indian Trading Post

Banff, Alberta

Indian Trading Post, in Banff, Alberta celebrated its 100th year in 2003 of selling "furs direct from the trappers." We know it as the Canadian home of The Merman. Banff has up-scaled its mecca status with fine jewelers and resortwear clothiers side-by-side with fudge shoppes and nicknackeries.

But just across the river from all this remains Indian Trading Post.

The walls are covered with dead animals and Indians crafts. Cute fake black bears heads are for sale, next to real black bear heads that are not. You can get the cheap-o "Brave" single-feather headband for ten bucks Canadian, but a "Chief" headdress with feathers that go down to your knees is $600.

In the back room, on the left, on the floor, in the shadows, is The Merman, "a curious creature of unknown origin." It is in a glass case, making photos hard. But the postcards are great. They took the merman out of its case, and posed it in front of a glacier lake, with a snow-capped mountain in the background. Its teeth and fish scales glisten in the sun.

We know we're not often given to praise for attractions outside the 48 United States. But as long as they keep the merman on free display, we say, "Here's to another hundred, Indian Trading Post!"