Welcome to Halifax

Written on Thursday, I send this dispatch from the depths of Hell. Wait. That's not right. Halifax, that's it!

Dartmouth to be precise.

I lived in Dartmouth as a youngster and only started referring to Dartmouth as Halifax when I moved to Toronto simply to make it easier on those folk. Reason being Torontonians are too busy being self absorbed they think Newfies live in Halifax.

In fact, If you were to ask someone in Upper Canada to list the provinces from west to east, the response would be:

BC
Alberta
The Prairies
Ontario
Quebec
The Newfies

In any event, Halifax is a great town, and Dartmouth is across the harbour from it.

I have just returned from my walk. I took a longer one than usual as I have a new view.

Mom's swanky apartment is in a great hood - Sullivan's Pond. And within walking distance to Mic Mac. She sold her house earlier this year, located in a subdivision of identical houses in the outskirts of the city.

I took a tour of the pond and inspected the newly installed fountain. The pond of course is the result of a dam that was built as part of the Shubenacadie Canal. If you haven't heard of this canal before congrats to you for not having to endure the Nova Scotia school system. Also of note on the pond is a centennial flame, a totem pole and the gazebo, all surrounded by a couple hundred ducks.

The pond is quite picturesque, even in a snowless December. More picturesque is the view Alderney gate, so off I went to take in a view of Halifax. It takes a while to

become accustomed to the slower pace of life here. For example, I took a moment to reflect on the Tim's on the way. It was closed. It was an unusual and unnerving sight

for me.

I always take in the view of Halifax from Alderney Gate, which includes the Ferry Terminal and other municipal installations. The park and pier are at the old Dartmouth City Hall (which now serves as the HRM School Board). A perfect view of Downtown Halifax, the Old Bridge and whatever is parked in the outer harbour awaits. (On this particular night, two Oil Rigs and a
container ship). I see the last ferry to Halifax depart - with the standard complement of young guys on their way to the bars.

Now if you have ever stayed with Mom, you know it is a food marathon. Her goal I believe is to eat at every food establishment in the city.

It started as we left the airport yesterday. Our first stop was the Enfield Irving Big Stop, where a cheap and plentiful breakfast is served all day. Included for your toast is a choice of 6 kinds of jam! Dinner was at Fan's (formerly Fran's) at Shannon Plaza. Fan's specialises in food from Northern China, whose people apparently live off of deep fried

food. We go there every time I'm down, and it's consistently OK. You would recognise the plaza if you're a Trailer Park Boys fan - this is the place where Randy used to hustle, and where Julian ended up living in his car drunk out of his mind. (Season 4 episode 2)

Today was the big shopping day for Vic and I. We started of course at Mic Mac Mall, which is in fact my favourite mall. I used to hang out there all the time as a youngster, and immensely enjoy the selection of stores and service as compared to Toronto malls.

For example, at the Bay, the clerks at the cash make eye contact, use words like Hello, Please, Thank you. It's as if they're living the training manual. It's as if they think they are getting paid to provide service to customers - a formula that simply doesn't work in Toronto.

And it's not just the Bay, it's everywhere. The Sobey's, the Zellers, the Tim's (one of my large double-doubles came complete with a happy face on the lid). It's simply the way of life here.

So you know, Vic and I ate at one of my favourite spots - the Steak and Stein. The place is always busy and I find the food to always be good, although Mom tends to think it's going downhill. She's been saying that for five years. Their feature is the 3 ounce steak. I had three.

More to follow...

Categories: Travel