28 July 2010
Arrived late last night. There is no public transport from the airport to downtown Halifax. $19.50 on the Airporter got me to the Atlantica Hotel, a short walk to my Couchsurfing host.
While others caught some Z’s on the shuttle, I stared bug-eyed out the window at the darkness. A big moon provided some light. I could see silhouettes of trees across a narrow body of water. House lights broke through every once in a while. The solitude of the houses drew me in. I knew I was in the right place.
Harbour scene
People say hi here. On the walk downtown this morning I passed by a guy running on a treadmill on the sidewalk. He was raising money for cancer. We said good morning to each other. Later on the walk I passed a man and his son, maybe 8 years old. The boy said hi to me. I smiled and said hello back.
Things must be changing. On that same walk, while passing a tennis court a man asked me to fetch their tennis ball that had flown over the fence and bounced across the road. On the other side, after picking up the ball, the traffic came and I slowly stepped onto the road, timing my cross with the passing cars. “Careful,” he said. “They don’t stop like they used to.”
Overheard at the harbourfront. A large woman in a floral print dress to her man: “I don’t care what Mayor Kelly says, I’m not getting in that water.”
Traveling solo makes you bolder. Unless you don’t want human contact, it’s necessary to reach out sometimes. I serenaded a young lady at The Source electronic shop. We were standing in front of some televisions watching a live Fleetwood Mac performance (they were playing Tusk at the time) and she didn’t know who they were — as I overheard her speaking to a co-worker. “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow, ” I said to her. “How does it go?” she asked.
The worst Subway sandwich artist lives here.
Just look at this thing. I mean, have some frickin pride.
One bite and half my veggies are on the ground. (Note: cigarette butt was not in my sandwich, thank god.)
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Awww, Hali! Have so much fun, Carlo! Wish I was there.
ps: That is one busted-ass Subway sandwich.
Woohoo! Wish I were coming earlier to make Halifax my temporary home as well. I found the friendliest people I’ve ever met were in Halifax.
“I don’t care what Mayor Kelly says, I’m not getting in that water.” Love it.
Glad you are in the right place.
I arrived in Halifax exactly one year before you. And I love living here! The friendliness of the people was refreshing; and I have definitely had great subway sandwiches – I think you got unlucky there. Enjoy my new city!
@Eva Yes, it sure is!
@Candice Me too! Oh well, will just have to wait.
@Christine Thanks, me too
@Catheryn It was the one in that little mall on the harbour front, near Cows. If you’d like to meet up, lemme know!
Sounds like things are going well so far. Glad to hear it.
And yes, that is a rather crappy sandwich.
hahahaha
I’m glad you are enjoying it (somewhat?) so far
I see that guy running on the treadmill all the time! Don’t worry tomorrow we’ll meet up and you will have a blast!
Didn’t know who Fleetwood Mac is? What’s wrong with the youth today?? Thank goodness you were there.
Looking forward to further dispatches from Halifax.
@Cailin You’ll bring me to the GOOD Subway right? haha. Looking forward to it!
@Angela I know, right? She said something like, “oh, they’re like from the 70s aren’t they? I started listening to music in the 90s.” I’m old.
This is great, Carlo. Totally captures the experience of arriving somewhere. And how great when the arrival brings a feeling of rightness with it.
Subway? Brilliant.
Hi! Great post
I loved Halifax and I agree with what others have said…the people there are the friendliest of any place I’ve ever been. Couldn’t get over the courtesy of cars towards pedestrians – even if ‘things must be changing’ in that regard, I was amazed at how people would just stop to let me cross the road – incredible! (it’s funny how it’s always the small, unexpected differences that are the most amazing to me when i travel…)
hehehehe though, that really is one pitiful excuse for a sandwich