After a quick train ride to Newark, New Jersey I was on my way to Canada. US immigration was incredibly easy, so was rather surprised to be detained for a long chat when I arrived in the beautiful Maritimes and the traditional ancestral lands of the Mi’kmaq peoples. I have been to Halifax before so not super clear what the problem was this time. I did wonder whether my passport had flagged, as it had been on a rather quick trip through Perth, London, NYC and then Canada.
I did giggle when I was quizzed about any marijuana I might be carrying. Since the Canadians legalisation of cannabis, someone told me there has been an increase in twitchiness at the border. Being incredibly boring, the only medicinal excitement I had was my trusty arthritis cream. After checking who I was on the Internet and a chat about rural health, I finally got the welcome to Canada speech and was let go out of the immigration interview room. A cab ride to the Westin and thankfully, in to their heavenly beds.
I got soaked a number of times in Halifax after a PhD student mentoring scavenger hunt through the streets of Halifax and a conference dinner on a tall ship in the rain on the harbour. Of course, came down with the heaviest cold so battled through all of my conference responsibilities. I did the opening keynote on being a ratbag but definitely was not a ratbag in the Maritimes. Went out with my lovely Canadian friends one night and whilst they danced the night away, I fell asleep with my head in my hands in a groovy bar with a great band.
Sleeping under the stars 