Nova Scotia - Day 7

Photo by: Tim Bindner

October 1 & 2, 2022–Day 6 & 7

Not too many sites were seen on our last two days in Nova Scotia. Reality was setting in. We would be back home soon.

On Saturday we woke up, had breakfast, said goodbye to Kermit (6-week-old golden retriever), loaded up the car, turned in the keys and began the drive east on Highway 1. Our destination was The Fourth Lock. This was a small bed-and-breakfast with a restaurant attached. Our drive took us through small towns like Bear River, Annapolis Royal, and Bridgetown. We then merged onto Highway 101, heading toward Fall River.

Our B&B was not opened when we arrived, but the restaurant staff called the owner, then got us the code to get in and he showed us our room. Small room with a bed only 12 inches off the floor, no a/c, small refrigerator with glass bottles of water inside, and a very nice washroom and shower.

We waited around until 4pm, then headed downstairs for dinner. After eating, we walked back up to the room and got ready for bed. We passed the time reading (for Marcie) and me writing in my journal and making notes for these blogs. There were many times I asked Marcie, “Now what was the place we went to called that we saw ….”. Tomorrow, we needed to return the rental car and be at the airport at 6:30am.

We awoke to darkness outside and ate our provided blueberry muffins and bottle of water. We packed up the remaining luggage, left the key in the room, and walked out to a dark parking lot. I knew traffic would be light this Sunday because we had a 10-minute drive to the airport. I followed the signs as we entered the airport; we park the rental car, left the keys on the dash, and walked inside the airport. We were looking for the Delta Airlines booth but after a bit realized we were taking WestJet, who was part of Delta in Canada.

After locating our check-in location, we tried the kiosk with no success. An attendant stepped over to help, but he could not get our 2 bags to check in. He directed us to the line which had 2 people in it, but only one person was behind the counter. We waited and waited, then finally a 2^nd attendant showed up and pulled us out of line to again try to check our bags. The computer kiosk was slow, but finally it went through. We rolled our bags to the depository and walked to the TSA checkpoint with our boarding passes in hand. Again, another line as we waited, but eventually got through TSA before heading up to our gate. Because of the extended wait at TSA and to check in our bags, boarding happened within 30 minutes of us arriving out our gate. Not good for someone with anxiety, but it only got better.

A 2-hour flight to Toronto went smoothly. When we deboarded the plane we walked down a hallway, then again had to go through TSA (never left the airport), and then got in a long line for Customs. In the line, we saw 3 people working. I’d say there were about 100 people waiting to be checked. As time went by and the line inched along, we eventually saw 4 more attendants show up. It took us about 45 minutes to get up to see an agent at customs. At the desk, we presented our passports. The guy noticed my Wu-Tang t-shirt and smiled. I also had several others notice it at the airport. The Customs Agent asked if we had anything to declare. We told him I bought a hat, and she bought a sweatshirt. He said, “and the Wu-Tang shirt?” I said that was bought in America. He handed us our passports, then stated, “Have a pleasant flight and Wu-Tang forever.” He grinned, I nodded, and we headed to our gate.

So, a brief departure to mention my shirt. The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip hop group most notably famous in the 1990’s. As mentioned, the Custom Agent acknowledged my shirt. Walking through Atlanta airport I saw at least 5 people smile and give me a nod after seeing my shirt. A flight attendant from Atlanta to Louisville even made a comment about it. Finally, a long-haired middle-aged guy went up to the counter I was sitting next to. I overheard he missed his previous flight because they told him the wrong gate. The attendant said we can get you on this flight and upgraded his seat. As he walked by me, he grinned and said, “I almost wen Killa Bees on them.” Referring to a Wu-Tang song.

At the gate, we had 15 minutes before boarding because of delays. I was stressed, and I knew soon we would be in the busiest airport in America. Atlanta. Plane ride from Toronto to Atlanta was smooth and quick, and we had plenty of time to reach our next gate at Atlanta. Last flight was to Louisville, and it took about an hour.

We began the day arriving at 6:30am at the airport. We landed in Louisville at 7pm. An endless day. Our luggage was not first on the belt, in Louisville, but toward the front, then we hastened to our parked car in the Premium Lot. Loaded the luggage, grabbed the QR code to scan to let us out, then we headed toward home and to eat dinner.

Things we learned on the trip. Kilometers, not miles. Liters, not gallons. Washrooms, not restrooms. Celsius, not Fahrenheit. There are no fountain drinks or ice for those drinks anywhere. Your options are what a restaurant gave you, which was not much, or buy a bag of ice. If you order a pop, you get a can. Want another, get another can. As mentioned before, there are no pennies, no $1 or $2 bills, but coins. That Canadians take their trash and recycling seriously. Carryout gave you wooden forks, spoons, or sporks. No plastic. That a fish burger is really a fish sandwich but named so because it is a piece of fish in a hamburger bun. That they do not have plastic bags in grocery stores. You either carry everything out or use a bag you can purchase to put things in. They don’t even ask if you need a bag because there are none. The biggest difference I noticed is that the people are super friendly, helpful and there were NO POLITICAL ads on tv. As is customary for me, I wanted to move there immediately, but then Marcie always brings me back to reality with a swift “No.”

Until next time,

Tim (Kilmer)