Canada, New England & Iceland

Our first port was Sydney, Nova Scotia. It is a lovely little town with tree shaded streets. Such friendly people all commenting that in this town of seafaring men they ahd never seen such a large ship. Niece Statendam is pretty much medium sized with 2,000 passengers and 800 crew. We met Brent and talked baseball with this native Nova Scotian. He was supervising a roofing crew. And yes, for them a 78 degree day was the equivalent of about 98 by us! He wanted to keep talking and introduced us to the neighbor across the street. When Brent told Kevin he was trying to find some free wi-fi for us to use, Kevin offered and really was insistent that we use his. Kevin wanted us to come sit on the front porch. We demurred and he then said we could just go in his back yard and sit by his pool to use it. He really was disappointed that we said we had to keep going. Very nice people. Everyone we talked to, re-enactors at the Church of St. George, the first Anglican church built to serve the ‘losers of the American Revolution who escaped to Nova Scotia and settled here’, the young girl manning the donation fish bowl for the St. Patrick’s Church and Cemetery, random men and ladies enjoying the sea breeze to cool on their porches, all were so friendly. We were very happy to not have been part of a walking tour of the historic district. We would not have had the chance to stop and chat, pet the puppies, and hear about a very thin, bearded, old man’s 13 year old black cat with amazingly hypnotic green eyes! These are the ‘moments to remember!’ On the way back to the ship we strolled along the boardwalk and found a shady wooden wall upon which to sit. So many locals were walking their dogs so, of course, I got in lots of petting. Fellow cruisers were returning to the ship carrying all manor of souvenirs. Lots of people bought skeins of beautil wool even though they weren’t in the knitters group. There was a craft fair at the Canadian Legion Hall and it seemed very popular. I think they picked to day to have it as our ship was welcomed by the Hall sign. Maybe because it was the largest ship any one had ever seen! Sydney is not on many itineraries. The shallow waters only allow for a cruise ship with less draft. What a nice walk we had. As we were going back on board an ambulance had arrived and the EMT’s were rolling a lady off the boat. Not far behind her was a friend with all the luggage. Crew had helped her to repack hers and her friend’s suitcases as there would be no time for whatever the sick person needed and be back before sail away. What a sad ending for what was surely a long awaited vacation of a lifetime!