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Background: A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Canada's paramount political problem is meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services after a decade of budget cuts. The issue of reconciling Quebec's francophone heritage with the majority anglophone Canadian population has moved to the back burner in recent years; support for separatism abated after the Quebec government's referendum on independence failed to pass in October of 1995.

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By Coconuts
August 13th 2007

Halifax, Nova Scotia

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Halifax

Halifax Citadel Courtyard
Guarding the natural Halifax Harbor, this historic fortress was never fired upon

Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city in the Maritimes, has an area population of around 400,000. The city has a working seaport, a great pedestrian waterfront, lots of restaurants and pubs, and the historic Citadel overlooking the harbor. The Busker Festival was in full swing on the waterfront. Street performers, including jugglers, acrobats, break dancers, puppeteers and the like, provided good family fun free to the public, with only a donation requested. One day we followed the Lighthouse Trail, which took us to Peggy’s Cove, home of the smallest post [View Full Entry]

By strutting somewhere
August 10th 2007

One Big Vacation

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Antigonish

Sunset at Malignant Cove, the beach near where I had my professor's house

I would say that aptly describes how the East Coast is treating me. My job has become very relaxing after a switch in focus from compiling massive preliminary indexes for a bibliography to a research project. The professor I'm working with is a wonderful man -- he gave me a paper to do on how oil money interacts with the political economy of Equatorial Guinea, which is now the top third oil producing African nation. So needless to say it pertains well to the academic side of next year and is holding my interest! He also needed someone to cat/house sit [View Full Entry]

By Coconuts
August 5th 2007

More Cape Breton Musings

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Cape Breton

MC Ian
One of the church members who MC'd the concert -- quite dashing

On a Sunday afternoon threatening rain, we attended the Broad Cove Scottish Concert. For 50 years, St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church has hosted this summer music festival on their church grounds. We joined several thousand concertgoers, where from mid-afternoon until dark, a succession of Scottish music was played for our enjoyment. We enjoyed bagpipe, fiddle, bass, piano, guitar, vocals, and even dance. It was a toe-tapping good time, and thankfully the rain never came. We also visited the Margaree Salmon Museum. A salmon museum, you say? Well, the Margaree River was one o [View Full Entry]

By Coconuts
August 2nd 2007

Cabot Trail

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Cape Breton » Cabot Trail

Cabot Trail 1
Scenic views from atop the highlands

While camped in Baddeck on Cape Breton Island, we drove the Cabot Trail, named after Guiseppi (John) Cabot. “From this port John Cabot and his son Sebastian (who was born in Bristol) sailed on the ship Matthew A.D. 1497, and discovered the continent of America,” according to the plaque at Cabot’s Landing. As the highlight of Cape Breton Island, the Cabot Trail hugs the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic coastline with stunning views. Along the Trail is Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which includes the famous Highland Links golf course at Keltic Lodge, on a hi [View Full Entry]

By Coconuts
August 1st 2007

Discovering Nova Scotia

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Cape Breton

Drawbridge at the Fort
An armed sentry welcomed us after we crossed inside

Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, is mostly populated by Scottish and Acadian descendents in small villages and towns on the coast and the Highlands. You will hear Gaelic and French spoken, and signs are sometimes in two languages. We visited historic Fort Louisbourg, a reconstructed 18th century French fort which protected France’s interests in the New World. To condense history, the fort was captured by the British twice, and the French were evicted both times. The Fort is akin to Colonial Williamsburg in that period-costumed soldiers, servants, and residents provide a taste of sett [View Full Entry]

By Wiggy
July 22nd 2007

A month, in short form

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Halifax

RECOVERED

Hello all, Wow has a lot happened since the last time I updated this blog... I guess work and french girls will do that to ya. So, I figured that I would do one entry capturing the highlights of the last month in bullet form... here goes: Week of the June 24th -Spent the week working at Lev-Co, getting some funds ready for baguettes for Delphine's arrival on the 29th -Highlights include: sailing with captain Robin, taking Mom on a motorcycle ride, a surprise visit from Daniel, a dinner/movie with Carol, and Dim Sum -Delphine arrived on the Friday; we [View Full Entry]

By Humulu
July 18th 2007

"at home" at the Lake

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Yarmouth

Hello Everyone, and so the Blog begins again! I arrived in heavy fog after being rerouted from DC to Toronto in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Thursday evening of last week to start the next chapter of the "gap year" ala Steffi. After picking my parents up from the airport on early Friday morning (they were traveling the Canadian West for the last 2 weeks) we headed South towards "our" lake about 30 km from Yarmouth . Once here, time stands still, and we totally immerse ourselves in the tranquility of the Lake, the birds singing, the Loons howling, the Hummingbirds humming, [View Full Entry]

By strutting somewhere
July 18th 2007

Beaches, Beer, and Beautiful Skies

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Antigonish

RECOVERED

What more could you ask for?! That's what I thought. Nada. Welcome one and all to the beginning of my global adventures... for the rest of the summer I will take you into the world of Antigonish in all of it's small town glory. The town has a population of roughly 4,500 and is located 2 hours north of Halifax, about a 10 minute drive in any direction from long stretches of sandy beach opening out onto the Atlantic ocean. Beautiful indeed! The weather finally started to turn this past week and we have been enjoying hot days in the [View Full Entry]

By McGoose
July 15th 2007

a dim sum yankee in acadia museum

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Halifax

Shore

Dim Sum this morning with Aunty Chrissy, Uncle Daniel, Aurie and Robyn. I even tried the tripe, maybe not my favorite. A little down time, and some more watching the tall ships and then it was time to take Aurie to the airport. We talked a lot about music recording and processing and exchanged information. It would be great to keep up with her and Ling and Hans. They’re all so cool and laid back and kind. Then we went to an Acadian museum a little ways from the airport. [View Full Entry]

By McGoose
July 14th 2007

A lebanese yankee in halifax harbor

North America » Canada » Nova Scotia » Halifax

Boy at Tall Ships Festival in Halifax Harbor

Hans and Ling left today and the rest of us slept in late. We grabbed a quick lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant with Robyn’s Aunt and Uncle and Aurie. Then Robyn and I went down to the pier to see the Tall Ships at the Festival. We were actually able to go on The Spirit of Baltimore II. This tall ship was majestic and romantic. The shutter on my camera just would not stop. The water in the harbor is blue as can be and the sun shown down on us as we walked the wooden deck. Later - a [View Full Entry]

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