Hope on the Harbour: Pier 21

I'm not embarrassed to say that I'd choose a hockey game, over a museum, 99 times out of 100. But today was that day, the day I picked "museum." I just thought it might be nice to get out of the rain and perhaps absorb a little culture.

The museum was Pier 21, on the Halifax harbourfront. It was the epicentre of immigration for our country in our recorded history.

 Its full title is the Canadian Museum for Immigration at Pier 21, but I'm just going to label it amazing. The experience was unforgettable.

Right now, with immigration being a recent election topic and a hot button for some, I wish that all Canadians could experience what I saw today. These exhibits, and videos and interactive displays are moving. The stories are told with artifacts and documents but in it, such passion is conveyed.

There is a short video in their theatre where immigrants tell their stories. You can not help but relate and rejoice in what we share as Canadians.

There were about a dozen instances where I would read something, or see a photo and wish I had a particular loved one with me. I wanted my son to see the ships and the families and what they went through just to get to Canada. I wanted my friend Sheila to see the strong women who faced unimaginable circumstances and prevailed. I wanted Christina to see the laws and how the Immigration Act has evolved. I wanted my friend Colin to see the photos that pierced thru me. I wanted my brother and his new bride to see the movie. I wanted Leslie to see the Red Cross and military in action, for she would be so proud. And I wanted my friend Kathleen to see it, so she could tell more stories like it.

I wanted our new Prime Minister to see it. To ignite the fire within him.

I wanted to hug an immigration official and a museum curator and personally thank them for this experience.

I was truly rejoicing in the experience. Truly. But what I really didn't expect, was to have my own story.

Stay tuned.

If I can put the Kleenex box down long enough to type, I will.

Doorknobs and Dory Boats

I travelled to Nova Scotia to put colour and depth to my childhood memories.

It had been more than 3 decades since I had set foot in this east coast province and I was very excited to make this journey.

My childhood house has been renovated, almost beyond recognition. I stood blankly, scanning corners and walls for anything that looked familiar. I could feel a wave of disappointment coming over me. No one's fault. Times change. How could I even trust the vague "memories" of my 3 and 4 year old self anyway. What was I really looking for? Magic?

Three minutes later, I was half way out the door, when the gracious homeowner asked if I wanted to see upstairs. I did. I had travelled too far to not be thorough. This was a once-in-a lifetime opportunity.

There it was, at the top of the stairs. Instant emotion. I recognized the beaten and brown wood floor in the hall. The only floor that hadn't been replaced. I reached down to touch it and tears welled up in my eyes.

I stood up and steadied myself. The next thing I saw was an old wooden dresser, like a little night stand in the hall. Again, I reached out to touch the wood. "I have this at home." I said. My fingers followed the bowed front of the drawer to the antique handle. I spoke up again, "My mom bought it at an antique sale or auction here in Nova Scotia. $10 or so, I think. I have it. She painted it. Mine is white now. It's in my basement at home."  And suddenly my $10 dresser felt priceless.

I asked about ghosts next. Have you seen ghosts here at all? "No," she said. "No, I haven't." And after a brief pause, she started again. "Well, I haven't. But my daughter has seen the ghost of an old woman in a rocking chair by the window. Just sitting there. And neighbours have seen her too. They swear they've seen a woman in that window when they drove by."

My ghost story isn't of an old woman in a rocking chair though. It's of a horse and rider coming out of the boarded up barn and riding off into the ocean.  But she didn't know that one.

Next, the homeowner shared a story of footsteps and a man rattling a doorknob in a room by the kitchen. Others had seen and talked of him too. Previous renters of the home had mentioned it. And sometimes they heard a wailing that they passed off as a wind whistling through the house.

On the long drive back to the hotel, I thought a lot about what I saw of the house, and what I had hoped for. I feel like I have finished my quest. Closed a chapter. It doesn't feel like a victory, but it does feel like an accomplishment.

Incidentally, I chatted with my mother tonight. Rather than talk about the house, I asked her about the ghosts. Careful not to prompt her, I simply asked. "Do you remember anything about the ghosts in the house?"

"Just one," mom replied. "The ghost of a man who had been locked in the room off the kitchen as punishment when he was a child. It was so sad. You could hear rattling and wailing. So I would just leave that door open and a comforter on the floor and it was all fine."

My mom's description lines up  enough to give me chills. But no woman in a rocking chair. It's good that way, I think. Each generation should have their own story.

You can't go back in time and rewrite history. (Back to the Future movies taught us that!) But this has certainly been a privilege and a special chance to revisit the path that led me to today.

Halifax... I love you already

Dear Halifax,

I know we just met, but I already think I love you.

You are a quirky fishing village, with big city amenities, full of history and charm. I thought I knew what to expect from your on-line profile, but now, having met you in person, I'm intrigued. I need to learn more, and see more of you.

Our first dinner together, was everything I'd hoped. Fresh seafood and a cold Alexander Keith's hit the mark completely.

I see you're a fan of Tim Horton's. I see them here, there and everywhere. That's nice, but I prefer Starbucks, just so you know.

This time change, Celtic music and damp ocean air will take a bit to get used to.... it's just that I'm a prairie girl. I think I mentioned that before.

Can't wait to spend the day together tomorrow. I'm going to wear my raincoat. I think that's best.

Your new & not so secret admirer,

Cathie

Going back in time.

It never occurred to me that I was doing anything that wasn't completely ordinary until my dear friend Christina shouted at me. "You're doing WHAT? OMG that's amazing! Cathie, you HAVE TO write about this!"

So, I'll just tell you now, what I told her....

I'm going to take these photos, get on a plane and go visit the house where I lived when I was 3 years old.

That house happens to be in Nova Scotia.

I happen to love the ocean, and lobster. I'm not really sure which I love more, lobster, or being by the ocean, but I'm pretty sure that the house in this picture is where it all started. I should note that I haven't seen this house, or Nova Scotia at all, in more than 3 decades. For the last three decades, I have been living on the prairies.

So, the plan is as simple and straightforward as it sounds.... photos, plus seat sale, equals adventure! Thank you Air Canada for a great price on the flight, by the way.

I'll report back.

All about the dates!

This will clearly illustrate how you can save 50% (or 90%) on the same vacation, just by choosing the "right"  dates.

On average, you can hope to save 40-50% by travelling in low season, or immediately following a national holiday, rather than on the holiday.

Screenshots were taken within 3 minutes of each other. Apples to apples comparison.

Westjet Vacations.

Maui wowee from YYC

Cash in a few Air Miles for a car rental, eat pineapple and pancakes in your condo, and this is a CHEAP, FABULOUS vacation.

Solo Travel IS and IS NOT

Solo travel is a blessing and a curse.

Solo travel is something you might have to do for work, and you might hate it. Or as a single person, not in a relationship, it might be something that you also dread. All the happy couples in travel ads and their great deals might drive you crazy, especially when you learn of the added ("single supplement") travel costs.

But as a traveller, I want to assure you, it's not something to fear. You could choose to embrace it, as I have. But, you might also have to explain yourself constantly, as I do.

So here's a helpful list that you can point to when your Mother/Husband/Boss/Neighbour asks you why you're going alone.


Solo Travel is NOT:

• about being unhappy
• about running away
• about hooking up
• about hating your family
• about baggage and compromise 
• about letting family hijack your itinerary
• paying for others to join you
• posed vacation photos 
• listening to others complain about your choice of museum 
• waiting for your group to decide
• exhausting, like trying to please and accommodate everyone is

Sol Travel IS: 

• about having your own goals
• about having your own dreams
• about exploring and learning 
• faster and further than with a group
• less expensive
• eating what and where you want to 
• fulfilling and healthy
• about meditation and spirituality 
• satisfying 
• energizing, not draining
• about being an adult
• selfies in cool locations
• not having to pack for 4, book a kennel or find a house sitter
• about me, not you 

For me, in addition to being all of the items on the preceding lists, is a chance to get the heck away from people and their demands. I often work 7 days a week, and 12 hours at a time. On a slow day I could cook and clean for 100 people, on a busy day 300. It's exhausting! When I get a chance for a break I want to head straight to the ocean and just sit, and be alone. I want to listen to the waves and be still. I want solitude. I want to get away from the cooking, cleaning and serving. I don't even want to cook for myself. I don't want to make small talk with anyone. And until I can permanently live by the ocean, I will have to travel to get my break.

When I'm near the ocean, it starts to work its magic and I start to feel refreshed and human again. I want to learn and explore. I want to do something! I want to feel like a living, breathing, functioning, intelligent adult, rather than a zombie servant.

Out of all my travels, I would say that 1 in 8 trips is a solo adventure. It's about balance. Sure, I love being with other people, I love showing my kids the world, attending sporting events and being a fun mom and taking "vacations" but I really do cherish the opportunity to work on myself. I believe that when I get the chance to get away and get refocused,  I can be a better mom, spouse, business owner etc, when I get back.

There is a proverb, that I will paraphrase, that resonates with me. "You can not pour for others, from your own empty cup."

Have you taken a solo trip recently? Love it or hate it?  Let's hear from you in the comments!