Last week I spent time walking the streets to get to know the city. This past week I spent time getting to know the bus routes.
I am very proud of myself - I can now take a bus down to the harbour front without having to check my phone every 10 seconds to make sure I don't get lost! This was me the first time I got on a bus - trying to look relaxed, but not really pulling it off all that well!
In Halifax, there is a whole bus culture to get used to. Whenever anyone gets off the bus, they tend to yell out a thank you to the bus driver, who almost always gives back a "you're welcome" shout out. I don't remember hearing that from back when I used to ride the city buses as a student in Vancouver or Winnipeg many moons ago - seems to me everyone had their head down and was working hard at staying anonymous! Not so much here. Taking the bus has also tuned me into a whole new world. I heard a news story about the growing shortage of laundromats in the city, which really poses a problem for people who now have to take the bus a long distance to find a place to wash their clothes. If they have several loads of laundry, it can be a whole day's work since you can't just hop on and off the bus at will - you have to figure out the schedules, not to mention buying more bus tickets than you can probably afford for one day. I found myself thinking about that as I rode the bus downtown - not a story I would have thought about as often if I was just whipping downtown in my own vehicle. Without having my own car, everything takes a bit more thought - I have to know the bus schedules, the bus routes, not to mention figuring out how much I can actually carry whenever I shop for anything. It's a whole way of life for many people - a world I can be oblivious to as I drive my own vehicle and never even notice the people standing at all the bus stops along my usual route to work.
Yesterday was my birthday. I felt a little bit like I was in La La land at first - this was my angel card: Love
And then I glanced out the window at the big ship in the harbour in front of the condo and I was quite sure the boat said: Happy Lloyd! Love and happiness was the order of the day! And wasn't that just the way it should be on my birthday?!?
I was looking at the world through my usual rose-colored glasses as it turned out.
This was the actual boat - Hapag Lloyd!
For my afternoon treat I went to the neighbourhood library and joined up with a group who were walking the trails that have been developed by the naturalist club in this part of the city. It was a delightful way to spend an hour or so. And amazing what is hidden back in behind the busy city streets. The man leading us on the walk is a retired chemistry professor who knows his plants - he showed us inkberry holly & the Pitcher Plant:
Inkberry Holly has very shiny green leaves, that stay green all through the winter! They have a tiny black berry that can be used as a dye.
The Pitcher Plant is actually one that eats small insects! They land in the water near the base of the plant and get consumed by the plant - I have no idea how that works - just seemed like an interesting plant to remember!
I think one of the most touching parts of the walk for me was when he showed us an area where, after the winds of a horrendous hurricane in 2003, the big old spruce trees had been totally flattened out. He said the first time he went and saw it after the hurricane, he actually cried to see the devastation. However, after 13 years, the area has really grown back - he said it is clear evidence at how the earth can heal itself if it is just left on its own. It may not look the same as it had been, but there is now lots of new growth all around - he said for him it is a real sign of hope to see how it has come back to life.
My day ended with supper with supper in Dartmouth with Paul and Sarah, complete with a birthday candle to blow out!
One of the big accomplishments last Sunday (the 11th) was that I actually found my way to Sarah's church, Stairs Memorial United Church - took me about an hour, and I even managed to transfer to the right bus at the right place at the right time. Considering that the first time I got on a bus the bus driver had to explain to me that I had to tear the tickets apart on the dotted line, and then lay the ticket down in the machine all by myself (I assured him that I actually was an adult!!), the fact that I navigated changing buses without getting lost is something that I am proud of! Anyways, here is the church:
Since I got there 30 minutes early (better than 30 minutes late!), I offered to sing with the choir. They were very gracious at welcoming me in - we led the congregation in a new hymn, as well as singing an anthem. It was fun! And certainly had the rest of the congregation wondering who the new face in the choir was! I have agreed to preach once while I am here as well - they will definitely get to know who I am by then!
This man has been in the choir for 64 years! I think Sarah told me his father had been in the choir as well, and I know that his daughter sat right ahead of me in the choir on Sunday. He said this has been his church all his life - and he spoke that truth with great pride - lovely to see.
This morning I went and volunteered at the food bank, which happens in this church every Wednesday morning. These two women have been involved with the food bank for close to 15 years. They arrive at the church about 6:30 on Tuesday morning and help to get all the food that has arrived sorted into its proper locations. Then on Wednesday morning, they are back about 6:30 again to put it into the bags ready to give to clients. I felt a little lazy only arriving there at 8 this morning! They have about 80 families that come through the food bank each week. It's a real community effort - certainly not all done by the church volunteers - there are other agencies there, such as the local literacy group. It was an honor to be there today - to see such a compassionate group doing what they can to help alleviate hunger in the City of Halifax. I hope to get back to help them out a few more times before I head back to Regina.
After we finished our supper out this week, Sarah and I went for a short walk along the boardwalk near the restaurant. There was a full moon - it was a beautiful evening beside the water. A very peace-filled image to end this week's blog:
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