A Love Letter to Halifax

Nova Scotia’s capital swiped right on me, and I’m glad that I did the same.

The Town Clock at Citadel Hill

Dear Halifax:

It’s been a month — a smooth 30 days since I landed on your shores. OK, at the train station, but you know that I have a flair for the dramatic. You’ve been an intoxicatingly beautiful and complex lass and I can’t wait to get to know you better. I am sorry that I keep forgetting the names of your streets and getting lost because I refuse to use Google Maps, but each time I have a detour I discover yet another glorious and supple curve of your body.

Rainy Day at Point Pleasant Park

Your moodiness, however, needs to be checked. Days of continuous rain and grey is uncomely. Speaking of rain, what’s up with your 360° downpours? Umbrellas are rendered useless with the sideways deluge. Also, not that I am complaining, but what’s with the 4:45 am sunrise? I tend to only use sleep masks on planes but you’ve made me unearth my Frasier Crane alter-ego in order to get some shuteye. But there are worse things in life than long summer days.

How I love your green spaces. Verdant and ample. I enjoy exploring Point Pleasant, the Public Gardens, Citadel Hill, the stunning Central Library and the numerous parkettes that punctuate your avenues. It’s amazing to be able to wander for countless hours amongst the green and not encounter a condo under construction. Your crevices surprise and delight with their hidden beaches and hiking trails. You have so many secrets and I am obsessed with the potential of discovering each one. You have proven to be the most bewitching inamorata a man could ever hope for.

The locals are warm and informative. I quickly learnt that I should add 20 minutes to my commute, as a local will engage me in neighbourly chit-chat. We’ll talk about the weather, the best place to get Brisket or just local goings-on. As a result of these unscheduled chats, I have found a barber, an Asian grocery store, a Jewish deli, a brewery that sells half-price growlers on Wednesdays, a local pizza joint located inside a laundromat, and an underground speakeasy. I have quickly made friends and it soothes my soul to already have people call out to me on the street. Even if it’s by using my Instagram handle. I’ve been invited to play cricket and go berry picking. Who would have thought that I would be open to such activities? Look at you, already making me step out of my comfort zone.

Can I tell you that you have some of the best coffee shops I have ever encountered? I would never have thought that I’d be able to rock climb and have an espresso at the same time. Epic.

And. The. Atlantic. Ocean.

Each morning I am refreshed with saltwater-perfumed air. I can see the water from my “backyard”; when the sun flamencos on its surface, my heart swells and I feel an indescribable level of pride. They say that a change is as good as a rest. Whoever “they” are, they sure are right.

So as I grand jeté into month two I can’t wait for our romance to intensify. I’m giddy with excitement at the thought of further exploring you, especially late at night when I don’t have to share you with anyone. And most of all, I can’t wait to introduce you to my friends.

“You have ravish’d me away by a Power I cannot resist.”

xoxo,
VSG

Vaughn Stafford Gray

Written by

Writer. Marketer. Content Creator. @nattyurbanite

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