The main event for today (seeing as how I am now plumb-tuckered out and won't be able to do anything else) was a walk of epic proportions to Silver Lake at Lillas Fawcett Park. I couldn't have picked a better day; overnight, fall descended on Sackville. The sun was warm, but a strong, cool wind kept the temperature around 68°F (20°C) and me from getting too hot.
You can kind-of see near the top a white bar which reads "You are here." The dark green line tracing from that marker all the way to the bottom of the map pretty much shows the route I took from my house to Silver Lake. On the way I passed a number of neat houses, abandoned buildings, and as I got farther out, the farms on the rural edge of Sackville.
Finally, after an hour of walking and a bit of internal grumbling I made it to the lake. It was worth it.
There's nothing like resting on a sunny dock, rocking along with the wind-blown waves.
When hurricane Earl hit Sackville we got some wind and heavy rain, but it only lasted from about 11:00am to the afternoon.
Hurricane Earl hits Sackville...not too hard.
Despite the ominous forecast, I ventured out to meet a friend at the Farmer's Market, which is held every Saturday morning. Unfortunately, because of the rain the Farmer's Market was reduced to three stands, the "wine guy," the "bread guy," and the "cheese guy" inside the Bridge Street Cafe (a warm and cozy coffee shop that houses the Farmer's Market during the cold months). Happily, what the farmer's market was lacking in quantity, it was not lacking in quality. The "cheese guy" gave me a full explanation of his range of cheeses complete with free samples. I could not resist buying a tub of his cinnamon cream cheese made from goat's milk.
After coffee at the Bridge Street Cafe, I was introduced to another delicious treat, Ginger Snaps at the Kookie Kutter Bakery (they sell the "rejects" for only $0.69!). They also have Cinnamon & Honey Snaps and Vanilla Flax Snax...both of which I'm sure I'll try. The ginger snaps are delicious with my cinnamon cream cheese!
For lunch, I went to meet the residents of 10 Park, a houseful of amazingly friendly Mt. A students! Another really friendly Killam Fellow from Mt. A (currently at AU) introduced me. They were kind enough to have me over for lunch (try putting sauteed mushrooms and green onions in mac and cheese...you won't be disappointed!...and chigae soup, perfect for a cold and rainy day!); give me an in-depth explanation of Canadian history and government as we waited out hurricane Earl's fury; introduce me to their other Mt. A friends; give me a tour of Mt. A's satellite houses; have me over for dinner (a delicious quinoa salad and Garlic Fingers from Joey's...a maritime tradition!); give me a tour of Sackville's Waterfowl Park; and have me over for a movie night of The Birds (by the end of the movie, a fresh loaf of bread finished baking - we ate it still steaming as the actors made their last attempt to escape).
10 Park
Rainy Waterfowl Park
Rainy Sackville from the Waterfowl Park
I will have to come up with an especially delicious thank-you for their incredible generosity!
Today I met my first professor at Mount Allison, Dr. Craig Brett! He is helping me to design an independent study on the economics of energy and resource policy. His office is in the Avard-Dixon building where most of my professors and many of my classes are located.
I left extremely excited about the course we've designed; unfortunately, I received my first homework assignment...
After my meeting, I spent my first good amount of time exploring Mt. A. The campus is composed of dark red stone buildings, many of which are covered in ivy; winding walkways; and, as long as it's warm, lush green lawns, flowering bushes, and leafy foliage.
An added bonus, they have a swan pond - with actual swans!
For those of you who do not already have it, my address is:
10 Richardson Street
Sackville, NB
Canada E4L 4H6
I'm renting from Roy, a local landlord who has been renting to students for the past nine years. A fun fact: Roy plays bass and sings in a local blues band. He is also incredibly generous with his days off - he spent the whole day taking me to a Walmart (which was way nicer than ones I've seen in the U.S...if someone was going to make a Walmart I didn't hate, it would be Canada) and a grocery store.
But anyways, the house I live in comfortably fits three people (Roy, the other tenant, and me), is tidy, and more than adequately meets my needs. Everything in Sackville is within walking distance. Below are two pictures of my room, which I have now taken over and made my own.
My Bed
The Command Center
Hey, look! It's my new blog, open on my computer : )
I woke up to a sunny, but warm (and a bit muggy?...I thought I was leaving the swamp of DC behind!) first day in Sackville, NB! If you're reading this, you are likely a loved one or interested party. I hope to keep this blog going during my stay in Canada this fall 2010 so that you can see where I go, what I'm up to, and the new people in my life!
