What's in a name?

Right-o!

I've been keeping busy people watching on the wharf, viiting the citadel, butnot going in becaue it's $10 and I'd swear I've been there before. I saw the Public Gardens, which are just lovely in the downtown area. Kerri and I met up with an older couple from Georgia whoa re on holiday. They just came back from Newfoundland on a visit to the people who put them up when their plane got grounded during 9-11. It was truly onderful to see that these people had kept in touch and took the time to return. What a couple of sweethearts. The man wandered around the park and the woman had brought a cookbook to read. I laughed, because I feel like I could also be a person to bring a cookbook as a travel book, though she was really living it. Awesome.

Mmm, and we had lunch at a place called Pete's Frootique, which is this market/food place opened by thisBritish guy. He imports British chocolate, mmmm and other good things. Kerri and I ate at the salad bar where you pik he lettuce and all kinds of topings (the girl cut me off because I was asking for all of them, hee hee!) and enormous sandwiches made befoer your eyes. I had the veg samosas and we both ate so much delicious food for about $6 each. Seriously, eat there. And if you're with someone, share a small salad and a half club, whcich is the size of a Dagwood regular sandwich. So. Good.

It only cost me $8 to mail back my shorts, pants, a few t-shirts and a journal! Which is super, because it sure cost me way more to replace them with lighter weight zip-off pants and other shirts. I found a great shirt and hoodie fleece at the salvation army, so that was $8 well spent. I know, I balled up the fleece immediatly for packing since it's a million degrees on the average day (thanks weather from Ontario!) but I swear I remember being cold camping somewhere, and I was resolved to find a fleece. And I did, in a lovely autumn orange :)

I've been out tossing around a frisbee and exploring the town (not athe same time, though I guess that could be a cool way to explore theplace. Toss a frisbee, visit where it lands. I bet I could meet cool law enforcement officers). There is a student art store asociated with the loval art college and there was lots of stuff I really wanted to get. Especially pottery. I love the idea of cobbling together my dish set from individual pieces, at least the bowls, cups and vases and things. But at $20 a pop pls shipping, I'll save my domestic wants for whenI have a domicile to decorate. And, possibly, wait till I have some form of income. You know, whatev.

I'm trying to sort out my Cape Breton part of my trip. I guss I'll be there in the peak of high season, which dosn't bode well for car rentals or accommodation, though if I could get a car rental then I'd be in good shape for camping. They alway find room for tents. Well see. There's a chance I could get a ride with one of Kerri's friends which would be great, but before I go I'm going to make sure that I know where I want to land (ie where I can crash maybe and then leave from using public transportation or rental car of some description.) Planning is for suckers! Or people who want to get somewhere! Servesme right for wanting to do a driving trail. I'll be interested to see how this pans out. Maybe I'll set up camp in North Sydney and just do day trips or a few overnights in Meat Cove or something and then head straight out for Newfoundland. I think it'll depend on how long I want to spend (which will hinge on how much money I want to spend!). Anyone out there interested in a little holiday in Cape Breton!? We'd camp the Cabot trail together, sure to be beautiful and inspiring! For serious, let me know if you want to show up, I'll sor out the car and we could have a really fun week or whatever!!! Don't be shy now.

I have to return to MEC once again to find a new propane tnak for the stove I have. They said it would fi and it doesn't. If none their half size tanks fit on my stove then I will suck it up and buy the $35 stove (which is smaller and lighter than the one I have) and mail home the old one, whith apparently only takes the bigger, heavier and more annoying propane tanks.

I'm definitely feeling more like I'm finding my feet as a traveller, even though I'm keeping it domestic. his is a new sort of travel for me and it matters so much to live these experiences to learn how to pack and so-on. How I pack is different from how anyone else would pack, and what I decide I need is revealing itself to me as I go. I'm happier to learn that here rather than in Bangalore or Pyong Yang, which might be a little less forgiving. It definitely helps tomake smal steps and smaler trips like weekend camping to get more confidence. After this trip, I think I'd feel good about doing a more concentrated trip in one area, with a more wilderness component to it. I guess that's how it goes, eh?

huh.

Okay! I havea bunch of stuff to do, and today I htink I will invest in the Maritime Museum and maybe the Pier 21 Historic site (place where just about every ne immigrated through from everywhere post world wars...lots of stories there, tobe sure). Time to get cultred! Hopeyou are feeling some relief from the weather an are all doing well. Thanks for stopping by.

xo

PS I also got my har cut niiiiice and short (although kept long enough in the front to pin back. The back is defnitely the shortest it's ever been). Yay! Feels so good to have less hair onmy head. And the cut was only $14...only in Halifax, let me tell you. I'm delighted :) That's it for news!Gotta go have lunch and then get cultured. See ya! Write me if you want to see Cape Breton with me!
xoxo