Girl Meets Canada: Pirates and Unicorns and Friends of Yore

Sorry, what was I saying?

The only thing better than being reunited with old friends is subsequently being pampered by them. I lived in Nova Scotia for two years, and the last time I was back was 2002. That’s a good, long, eight years since I’ve seen most of these people. And I have to say, so far they’ve been treating me like every single one of those approximately 2900 days has been consumed with a wailing misery created by my absence. There have been hot sticky tears, suffocating bear hugs, parades, impromptu street performances, dancing boys, zeppelin rides, words of welcome written in the clouds, strangers swarming me in the streets offering tokens of love and adoration…I LOVE YOU TOO, NOVA SCOTIA!!

Day 71-75 (July 19th-23rd)

My first stop was Wolfville, to visit Other Sarah and Sam. Other Sarah has been living in Japan forever (around 3 years), and was heading back again, so I only had a small window to catch up with her. Favourite Other Sarah memories from eight years ago include bugging her with the nickname Cleany Pants. I can’t quite remember how that came into existence. Something about her doing laundry and us watching and mocking. Yes, we had a LOT of time on our hands.

While we’re on the subject of nicknames, let me tell you mine from days gone by. Due to a funny typo in the local paper, my name went from “Sarah Gignac” to “Sarag Grignac”. That somehow turned into the super villain name “Sarag: Destroyer of Worlds!” That’s right, I’m badass. FEAR ME! LOVE ME!

While in Wolfville I stayed with Sam, who not only gave me MY OWN ROOM (this came after about two weeks straight of van living and sleeping. I could barely remember what to do with the big thing in the middle of the room with the blankets and the pillows), she piled me sky high with new books and made sure I always had a pub to sit in.

Favourite Sam memories from eight years ago include her giving me a pirate marionette for Christmas and then immediately taking it out of my hands and terrorizing her roommate, André, with it. The look of naked horror in André’s eyes was the best present ever.

Speaking of André, in the last eight years he has apparently turned into a unicorn. Sightings of this rare and mythic beast are so rare, claims to have been in his presence are met with a mixture of awe and disbelief. Fortunately I have photographic evidence of my recent encounter with the André. But I can’t show it to you until it’s been verified by a team of paranormal experts.

To achieve my sighting I tracked the André to his nest, and then sat in his living room very quietly until he emerged from his bedroom and ventured downstairs. Confused and disoriented by my unexpected presence, I was able to trick him into agreeing to come out to lunch with Sam and Other Sarah and I.

Favourite André memories from eight years ago include Sam terrorizing him with a pirate marionette (see above).