Day 23 Halifax

Gradually waking up – as much as that’s possible with a kindergarten in the house from 7 AM. Right after getting up, we received a warning on our phones: They were searching for an armed man who was in the immediate area. People were advised to seek shelter and not to be surprised by the increased police presence.

The positive aspect: Some parents chose not to take their kids to kindergarten for safety reasons – and Stephanie was genuinely happy about the smaller group. ☺️ I completely understand her.

After two hours, the alarm was lifted – the man had been apprehended. We stayed a while longer at the kindergarten, and I was once again delighted to see how Victor and Stephanie played and sang with the children. Totally sweet. Victor says he loves this and I believe him wholeheartedly.

Then it was time to say goodbye. We set off – crossing the impressive bridge again (toll $50!) and into a new province: Nova Scotia. The drive took about three hours and led us through stunning landscapes: forests upon forests, with lakes and rivers in between, constantly going up and down. Our destination: Halifax.

Our hotel is located right by a small lake – quite beautiful actually, but unfortunately, the building is so heavily air-conditioned that you really need a jacket in the hallway while waiting for the elevator. I don’t understand that at all. Even the supermarkets are as cold as we are only directly at the refrigerated section, totally unnecessary, and it doesn’t feel good either.

In the afternoon, we spent some time by the lake – in those colorful chairs that are really everywhere here. I am totally thrilled by them. On the one hand, they make the cityscape friendlier, and on the other, they encourage communication. You sit down, look at the water together, start a conversation, or simply sit in silence beside each other. And they are – by the way – also really comfortable.

Curious about where these chairs come from, I quickly asked Google – and lo and behold: The idea comes from the Canadian national parks. Since 2011, Parks Canada has placed them at particularly beautiful spots, the so-called “Red Chairs” (red chairs – now often also colorful) to invite people to pause, enjoy the view, find peace – or engage in conversation.

The chairs are made from recycled plastic, often from old plastic bottles, and withstand the Canadian weather.

Nowadays, you can find them not only in national parks but also in cities, by lakes, riverbanks, hiking trails – really everywhere you’d like to linger.

They signal: Here, you can just be. No consumption, no pressure – just sit, look, feel. An invitation to pause, to exist, to “just-sit”. They have become almost a symbol of Canadian ease and hospitality. Many are even made of recycled material. I love this idea!

In the evening, we decided to head back into the city – and I was totally thrilled! Halifax is a surprisingly cozy city, despite having around 500,000 inhabitants. I was particularly impressed by a large park in the middle of the city: Everywhere were people practicing various sports – baseball, soccer, hockey, skating. All age groups, all nations – and a wonderful, peaceful atmosphere everywhere. There are also benches everywhere, where you can just take a seat - really lovely.

A special highlight was the large area where you can borrow bicycles, rollerblades, and other sports equipment for free – simply by presenting an ID. It was originally built for the Canada Winter Games 2011 and is as large as three hockey rinks. In winter, it becomes an ice rink; in summer, it serves as a meeting point for everyone who wants to move. There are even special days for people who want to be less overstimulated – the so-called Sensory Days. What a fantastic concept!

In the evening light, the city had something very special. We just wandered around, stopping here and there to look, pausing, and moving on.

It was lovely all around. Now we are back at the hotel and tomorrow is our last day before departure.

Insight of the day:

I believe I would also like to have such a park. A space for people, where you can simply come by and stay. Whether you want to participate or just watch. And of course with colorful chairs that say: “Sit down. It’s great to have you here.”