The Citadel

Because we know not where we go or how to get there, we park at the bottom of the tallest hill in Halifax and make the climb to the top to tour the Citadel. During my lifetime, I have always thought of Canada as a friend of the U.S. — always. But I tour the museum that has taken up residence in these former military walls and find a different story. 

The U.S. attacking.  The U.S. losing — more than once American history class was a long time ago, and I think I spent that time passing notes to my girlfriends — about my boyfriends.  

I have forgotten about the English who once ruled this land along our northern border. It is strange standing here reading about my homeland through some other country’s eyes.

Halifax Harbor

Looking for a true pub experience — which is something I read that we must do — and wanting to visit the waterfront, we park near the Maritime Museum and walk east, when unbeknownst to us, the pub we seek is west. 

Serendipity leads us down a dock where a gorgeous one-hundred-foot-plus sailboat is tied-up; the name —  Chimera. The appellation of this sleek sailing ship makes me believe the owner does not take his yacht or perhaps his wealth for granted. Chimera — a thing that is hoped for but illusory and impossible to achieve. 

Flying the flag of the Cayman Islands, the owner oversees the activities as the crew gets ready to depart; young women haul in ropes as thick as a small child’s wrists, curling them in stacks on the deck.  We take up residence on a corner bench at the end of the pier and watch. And wish.

That yacht is our chimera.