In praise of Halifax and Nova Scotia
If I were to ask you to think of a Canadian province then chances are that you would say Ontario, Quebec or British Columbia. And if I were to ask you to think of a Canadian city then first to mind would probably be Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.
Not many people would say Nova Scotia or Halifax. It’s a fairly small part of Canada that seems hidden away on the eastern coast, a place that even most Canadians haven’t visited! It’s also where I was living for six months before I arrived in Peru.
It’s fair to say that there’s nothing flash about Nova Scotia. It doesn’t have the incredible lakes, mountains and views that you can find in Alberta and BC. And Halifax will never be quite as interesting as the likes of Montreal and Vancouver.
But what you will find is a great many warm, friendly and amazing people. And isn’t that the only thing that really matters?
I must admit I didn’t pick the best time of year to live in Canada. Canadian winters can be brutal and the one I experienced was apparently the worst in quite some time. I’ve now seen enough snow to last me a lifetime!
If you’re going to put yourself through a harsh experience like that then you definitely need to surround yourself with great people, and I was very blessed to be surround by many great people. Winter? I hardly noticed it!
So I just want to take this opportunity to thank all the amazing people I met in Nova Scotia who made me feel so welcome and at home.
That includes, but is certainly not limited to (and big apologies if I miss your name):
The great people I met in and around Wolfville - Kimberly, Beverley, Steve, Mia, Angela, Jason, Kaitlyn, Mike, Joe, Aundrea and everyone I ever played poker with, or had a beer with at Paddy’s or Joes! And not to forget Glen and Mary who were awesome landlords!
The wonderful people of The Lighthouse - Robbie, Anke, Phil, Leandra and Tim. You guys are amazing, and thanks for always providing me with a bed in Halifax when I needed one.
All the beautiful souls I met through Art of Living - Joanna, Adam, Keren, Wylie, Kira, Jane, Heather, Al, Antoine, Gwyn, Molly and many more whose names I can’t think of right now. The world definitely needs more people like you!
Other amazing people in Halifax - Navjeet, France, Michel, Strewan, D’Arcy, Angela, Eli, Robie, Selah and the other Ukeladies. Plus countless others I met at parties and events.
All the great people of the Halifax farmers market who I had the pleasure of seeing every Saturday morning, particularly Elizabeth, Rae and Megan. And the big gay guy who makes the most incredible breakfast wraps I’ve ever tasted. Without a doubt the best breakfast in the world! That alone makes Halifax worth a visit!
And last, but certainly not least, my amazing and beautiful soulmates Reynard and Chandra who I had the infinite pleasure of seeing on an almost daily basis during my whole stay in Canada, and who somehow managed to put up with me ‘not talking very much!’ for 6 months! I really hope I see you guys again soon - in Peru hopefully 
Thanks again to you all. You made my stay in Canada very special and a period of my life I shall certainly never forget.
Canada rocks! Nova Scotia rocks harder! Now go pay these amazing people a visit.
Well hello Wandering Soul
I came across your post when someone tweeted it on Twitter. Thank you for sharing and I hope your friends get to read how you feel about them. I’m Cynthia and I’m working for Nova Scotia Tourism. Nice to read your experience. I’m not from Nova Scotia but I’ve been living here for the last 8 years. I’m a bit of a military brat which means I’ve lived all over Canada and even in some other countries but as a “grown up” I settled down in Nova Scotia. It’s a great place to raise a child for the precise reasons you mention. Salt of the earth people! You are right…we do rock 
It looks like you are on an incredible journey. Your blog is beautiful. I’m CynatNovaScotia if you are on twitter. And I hope you make it back some day in the summer as well. Winters bring a lot of snow but summers bring a great adventure. I’m thinking you would probably enjoy some of the other things that make Nova Scotia really unique, like the Bay of Fundy or the Skyline Trail. I can’t wait to explore a little more of my backyard this summer. I can’t wait to read more about yours in Peru.
Enjoy the journey, and thanks again for sharing:)
Cynthia
Thanks for your comment Cynthia, it’s great that my post has made it to the Nova Scotia tourist board in less than a few hours. The wonders of the internet!!
It was always my intention to stay in Nova Scotia for at least another 6 months and enjoy the summer. I was actually there last July for a few weeks and had a blast and I definitely hope to return one day. My Peruvian adventure was rather unexpected and happened very quickly. But there’s a big piece of my heart still in Nova Scotia!
That is just so weird, as I am from Halifax, Nova Scotia!! heehee. I assume Sue already knows this!! And I would like to thank you so much for your praise of our little city!!!
It is all the great things about a big city but with all the heart and friendly people of a small city!! You really should visit the beaches in the Summer!! When we emmigrate back to Canada in a few years, you are welcome to come and visit us in the Summer!! Hopefully, Sue will have gotten us all together when/if your travels every bring you back to the UK!! Stay safe!!
Andy! I am so excited to see this post. An undercover spokesperson for the Art of Living or at least the importance of human connection. Awesome! This is an amazing blog and I hope to peruse it a little bit more but it looks like you are putting your wandering to good use and learning so much from it. I can’t wait for another couple of years until I can try and do something similar but it looks like I have a lot to live up to. Take care and safe travels!
Kira
Thanks for your reply Kira, it’s great to hear from you. I hope you’re enjoying your summer break already! Fancy another trip to Peru? You should definitely come and visit!
Hi Andy,
You are inspirational! This is a fantastic blog. The content is awesome and so well presented. You are showing people how you can achieve what you want wherever you want. Thank you.
Noelyne
Hj Andy.
What a great, Well written blog.
I spent 18 glorious months in Nova Scotia, arriving back home in Novemeber ‘09 and you captured the spirit of the place perfectly. I met so many interesting and thoughtful people there. The place itself found a place in my soul where it will always remain. I was in Halifax many times. It’s sixty miles from where I was living but it was where we did our weekly shopping. It’s a marvelous little city with shops and makets for all tastes. A gteat place. I spent one full winter there and you’re right. It can be brutal. I spent onr week on a neighbours roof fixing his shingles in temperatures that didn’t venture above -17.
I lived on the Eastern Shore in a log cabin off highway #7 up a hill in the woods and the summers were wonderful with eagles and ospreys, hummingbirds and loons and all manner of birdlife. I had a black bear in my yard for a week, robbing the bin and saw coyotes, skunks, groundhogs and porcupines. I went snowmobiling on frozen lakes and diving in the cold Atlantic sea. It was perhaps the best time of my life.
It’s given me inspiration to travel and see some more of this wonderful planet before I die….and so have you.
Thank you.
Andy,
Keep your ears out for Satsang groups, perhaps you’ll find the local Art of Living chapter wherever you are in Peru. Perhaps you can start one ;o)
Remember, the Art of Living is in vover 150 countries world wide, so if you ever need anything, anywhere, anytime, just ask.
Jai Gurudev
Love Phil
Andyyyyy!!!
we miss you…Peru is lucky to have you man. Keep these updates coming and yeah you are very likely to find an Art of Living community where you are and you know how awesome they will be, so do some research, and eventually some long Kriyaaa!!!
Love,
Adam