Halifax

It’s been over a month since I last updated you all. I have been in Halifax for the entire time and it only took a matter of hours to get work at Saint Mary’s University. Halifax is a real student city as there are 5 universities, but not as large as back home. Saint Mary’s has around 6,000 students and is the oldest in Halifax. It seems strange being back at university but nice to be the one handing back exams instead of sitting them!

Here are a few highlights from the last month or so:
The night life: many thanks to a great band, Signal Hill, who frequently play at Lower Deck. The atmosphere is typical 'Maritimes' and there are millions of other pubs that offer good Celtic music. I have had many a good night at Pogue Fado and Split Crowe. Every night of the week there are numerous pubs playing live music and they are all within walking distance.

The art galleries: I don’t want to list all the art gallery openings I’ve been too as there are too many to name. But I will say that 5 has been my record of openings in one week! I have met many talented artists and the staff at Argyle Fine Arts are super friendly…..I will keep coming back. The biggest highlight within the art gallery openings - has been my own! I entered in FASS at Saint Mary’s University (Faculty, Alumni, Staff & Students) and my work was accepted in the exhibition. I wish I could have submitted a painting, but without all the materials needed, I opted for a photograph instead. Kamila came to the opening with me and there were 2 other members of the Psychology Department exhibiting as well. Halifax is very cultural and I have also been to a couple of poetry readings.

Ice Hockey: The Halifax Mooseheads took on the Cape Bretan Screaming Eagles. I was guaranteed to see a good game with many fights. Fights in Ice Hockey are just part of the game and even wee kids have taken to fighting in their own Hockey matches. Wherever you sit you will have a good view and the crowd makes lots of noise and supports their local team. It can get quite vocal with lots of cheering. The game has 3 periods of 20 minutes and in the interval tiny kids have their own miniature game but on a smaller scale.

Food: The food is great. There is an overabundance of seafood which I buy fresh from a Farmer’s market. There are many pizza stores, which are just as frequent in Halifax as Fish’n Chip stores are in NZ. Only here, a slice of pizza is about 3 or 4 times the size! Cinnamon buns are a favourite and there will always be a queue at the farmers market to get one just as they come out of the oven. Canadians love sweet things and we tried a new flavour of Pringles chips on Friday night….Sweet Potato and Cinnamon. Very strange, but not as bad as you may think. There are also many cafes offering Egg-Nog lattes, cappuccinos etc and lots of gingerbread men and gingerbread house kits for sale. A common pastime for Haligonian’s (the local term for people in Halifax) is baking. Throughout the university students stop buy and offer their weekends baking…..sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies and chocolate chip cookies…..

Christmas: The snow really seems fitting at this time of year. Even though it is cold (i.e. -12 degrees) during the day it is extremely beautiful. Many houses have lights and wreaths, and there are a lot of festivals geared up for Christmas. The lightening of the town Christmas tree showcased a Halifax Canadian Idol before an array of fireworks. The Christmas parade was in the evening as well, and I lost feeling in my toes and fingers until I arrived back at the hostel.

After 6 weeks of staying in the Halifax Heritage House Hostel I thought it would be nice to move on. I’m now in a sublet only a few blocks from the hostel which is very central to downtown and work. I am subletting from a lovely French girl, Charlene, who is home in Bordeaux for the holidays. In a few weeks I will head to the bright lights of Time Square in New York for Christmas/New Years and Boston before returning to Halifax. I can’t wait to see you in New York….Kirsten, Lynley, Wayne and Sandra!

As I look outside, it is snowing which is very magical. I’m hoping for a while Christmas. I’m told it’s officially a white Christmas, if there is 2cm of snow at 7am Christmas morning.

P.S. make sure you scroll to the bottom to see all the photos

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