The Chook Nook: Lasting impressions

We've been home for over a week, and the luster of the Maritimes is still strong in my mind. Here's my Top 10 list, but these aren't actually ranked because I loved all these aspects equally (give or take).

10. SAMENESS

Being a bit of a wary traveler, I got a lot of comfort from seeing stores like Shopper's Drug Mart, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, and The Bay out east. I even took my Shopper's Optimum Card with me. But I don't need Tim Hortons! No thanks. They were everywhere. Their donuts and coffee are weak, people!!!

H & R Block in St. John's.

9. DIFFERENTNESS

This was curious and interesting. Lots of coastal trinkets available (eg driftwood, beach glass, and starfish), but a noticeable focus on lighthouses and dories. Fewer recycling facilities available in Newfoundland and PEI. And the weirdest of all was how Caucasian it all was. The most diverse it got was in Ottawa, and even then that was mostly white people speaking French!

8. THE LOCALS AND FELLOW TRAVELLERS

Kind, hospitable, friendly, funny, happy, interested, helpful, generous, creative, forthcoming, smart, and interesting.

7. SPACE

There is room to swing a cat everywhere. Many, many times we'd be driving and not see anyone on the road. Minimal traffic. Huge yards. Endless parks. Breathing room.

6. CLEAN

PEI in particular is spotless. One yearns for that even more after seeing the state English Bay was left in post-fireworks. Back east, they take noticeable pride in their public and private spaces.

5. HISTORY

Abundant. Being where the immigrants landed way way back, there's so much to see and learn about Canada's formation. But, as I mentioned before, there was so much less about indigenous people. That was weird. It felt disrespectful of our First Peoples.

4. PRESERVATION

Rows of restored heritage buildings with plaques indicating their place in history. I was in heaven. We saw so little construction, so coming back to Vancouver was a bit of an assault on the senses.

Funky old oak doors reused as a wall panel in Coy Wolf restaurant, Sackville, NB.