The Friendliest People On Earth

Black Point

If Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth, then Nova Scotia has to be the friendliest place on Earth.

Canadians are a friendly bunch.  We all know that.  But Canadian friendly pales in comparison to Nova Scotian friendly.  In the first six hours of being in this province I think twelve different people stopped to talk to us.  One elderly man was standing by his truck waiting for his wife to finish her shopping.  We walked by, smiled and the next thing we knew we were in deep conversation.

After a long day of travelling from Ireland, we are happy to be back on Canadian soil and in Nova Scotia in particular.

Other people casually mention the weather as they walk by.  "Looks like another beautiful day, eh?"

One man helped us order our dinner in the pub last night, taking care to ask about our personal food preferences before he recommended something for us to eat.

Joe was over the moon to learn that this pub in New Glasgow serves Murphy's on tap!

And the smiles.  Oh, the smiles!  EVERYONE SMILES AT EVERYONE HERE!  Every teenager I've passed has smiled at me.  Every single one.

Why can't we all be like Nova Scotians?

Beautiful birch trees

Last night we had the misfortune of driving over some metal on a dark rural road.  The front tire was slashed and the car we were driving limped to the side of the road.  We were stranded.  But not for long!  A car pulled over and out jumped Nick and Colleen.  Nick quickly got to work removing the slashed tire and replacing it with the spare tire.  Colleen shone the flashlight app on her phone at the work that was going on.  Joe and I just stood there.  Well, I didn't just stand there, I took pictures!

Thank you Good Samaritans, Nick and Colleen!  We promise to pay your kindness forward.

As many of you know, we are now on the second leg of our home exchange summer.  We are currently in a log cabin at Black Point for one week, then in a house on Church Point for two.  The sun is shining, the temps are in the 20s and all is well here in Atlantic Canada.

I loved that these people used their bike rack to hold a fishing rod!

We are off on a day trip to P.E.I. this morning.  I hope Prince Edward Islanders are as friendly as their neighbours!

Melmerby Provincial Park at dusk.