Mediocre May

Report: May, 2011

With hopes of a real spring ahead I ended up leaving the pie shop this month in order to see what else I could track down within Halifax.

As the month went on and the weather was reminiscent of a California winter it ended up keeping us indoors most days. We saw the sun twice that month. Although, I should not be too harsh on the weather here since I tend to prefer a cooler climate. I just never realized the role the sunshine played in my everyday happiness. All in all it was a regular old month while we waited for June to get here.

My biggest revelation was in the acceptance of socialized amenities. Halifax County has approximately 400,000 people. Within the area there are 15 libraries, 25 recreation centers, 19 walking/hiking/biking trails, infrastructure is amazing (The toll for the bridge is $1 and I can't recall the last time I saw a pot hole), snow removal was unbelievable in the winter, my $70 bus pass takes me anywhere within a 30 mile radius, and don't get me started on the benefits of public health care. Our old home town has around 165,000 people and just before we moved I remember seeing signs about trying to save community swimming pools since the city could no longer carry the cost.

My saddest moment was when I looked around and realized this community is so small in comparison to where we used to be yet I can't recall a fraction of the community services or quality of living this place provides. It's more than just services though. People have such a different state of mind here. For example, I had an interaction with a woman while walking downtown after I saw her pick up an old coffee cup that was not hers. I'm not shy around strangers so I sparked up a conversation :

Me: "Excuse me ma'am. Why did you pick up that garbage when you didn't leave it there?"
Woman: "It's my town. Who would want to live in rubbish?"

I can't recall the last time I saw any citizen back home pick up trash just because it made the town look bad. I'm not saying there isn't litter here or graffiti for that matter. It was just the matter of fact response and pride she showed that gave me a flashback to some sort of 1950's era of "domestic bliss".

Yes yes, I know, the money to support these projects has to come from somewhere. Income tax is at 42%, sales tax is currently 15% for the province, fuel is $1.30 a liter (making it $5.20 a gallon) and property tax is around 1.5%. I think my true acceptance of the country hit me when I realized paying all those taxes doesn't bother me when I can see where those tax dollars are going within my own community. Road projects are done so quickly here. The downtown library is getting a new building and is already ahead of schedule.

I know I used to talk to friends about where did all of our tax dollars go back in California. Then again, I guess with the Bay Bridge being imported in from China I guess I have my answer. I had girlfriends ask me here why would our state outsource that many jobs, supplies and opportunities for a local bridge. The only response I could give was greed.

My favorite part of living in the Maritime area is jumping on the ferry and heading to Dartmouth to visit friends. I know the photo may not be much in comparison to the San Francisco skyline but when was the last time you got to see the city lights at night for only $2.25 per ferry ride?

Eagle Out

P.S. ~ Thanks Mom :) for giving me a love of reading that has transcended into my adult life. Without it I would have never understood the power of the local library and the role it plays in a healthy lifestyle.