Year around, but particularly during the windy wintry months of the years, Halifax folk prefer to meet along its sheltered "main street" , that portion of Spring Garden Road between The Public Gardens and the historical St Mary's Basilica / Old Burying Grounds district.
Yes , Haligonians (as Halifax residents are called) buy things at suburban malls , just like the rest of us.
But they much prefer to shop (and dine, stroll, dance, meet and gossip) on a street that retains much of the feel of an old fashioned small town main street and yet is located in the busy heart of a regional metropolis.
That main street is those few blocks of Spring Garden Road and the half dozen short streets that run perpendicular to it.
That the Public Gardens at its head and the Basilica and Old Burying Grounds at its feet are must sees for tourists makes visiting 'Spring Garden' a no-brainer.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Halifax Citadel Army Museum
Four hundred years of army history associated with Nova Scotia brought to life by 70,00 historical artifacts and many life-like tableau.
No bullets fly and no one dies in this museum centred around Nova Scotia role in many past wars.
However, as but one example , something of the dank , dark , claustrophobic feel of life in WWI trenches one hundred years ago is really brought home to every visitor , whatever their knowledge before hand about the Western Front.
No bullets fly and no one dies in this museum centred around Nova Scotia role in many past wars.
However, as but one example , something of the dank , dark , claustrophobic feel of life in WWI trenches one hundred years ago is really brought home to every visitor , whatever their knowledge before hand about the Western Front.
Wanderers Grounds
Today this fenced-in field mostly sees amateur teams compete in games of softball and hardball (baseball) under the lights, but typical of early Halifax's British character, it once was home to rugby, cricket and lawn-bowling.
It still features games of Gaelic or Irish football , a not-for-the-faint-hearted sport that combines the more physical aspects of American football, rugby and soccer....
It still features games of Gaelic or Irish football , a not-for-the-faint-hearted sport that combines the more physical aspects of American football, rugby and soccer....
Halifax Public Gardens - gateway into the Victorian mind
The Halifax Public Gardens , in the centre of the Halifax Commons , is perhaps the best single way for visitors today to enter into the mindset of the citizens of the British Empire at its very height.
The gardens have no admission fee and can be conveniently entered through gates off Spring Garden Road, South Park Street or Summer Street.
They provides many park benches to relieve the feet and a view that offers a sheltered shaded respite from summer heat and traffic noise.
Washrooms and refreshments are here too.
On Sunday afternoons, brass bands play relaxing music from the grand bandstand.
Later , as you stroll through the immense garden, try to imagine yourself as a prosperous citizen of the still British garrison city of Halifax from one hundred and ten years ago.
You are here mostly to admire the botanical booty of imperialism (plants taken from all over the newly expanded empire), because Victorians had a fascination about flora and fauna almost totally lost to us.
But you are also here to meditate on all the monuments erected to the brave men, often from right here in Halifax, who had secured this vast empire for God and Queen , by force of sword and pen.
A year later, in 1905, the British garrison was handed over to Canada and a fifteen years after that, the certitudes of the biggest empire the world has yet seen seemed much less secure.
But, inside the Gardens and forever, the Empire is still alright with the world !
The gardens have no admission fee and can be conveniently entered through gates off Spring Garden Road, South Park Street or Summer Street.
They provides many park benches to relieve the feet and a view that offers a sheltered shaded respite from summer heat and traffic noise.
Washrooms and refreshments are here too.
On Sunday afternoons, brass bands play relaxing music from the grand bandstand.
Later , as you stroll through the immense garden, try to imagine yourself as a prosperous citizen of the still British garrison city of Halifax from one hundred and ten years ago.
You are here mostly to admire the botanical booty of imperialism (plants taken from all over the newly expanded empire), because Victorians had a fascination about flora and fauna almost totally lost to us.
But you are also here to meditate on all the monuments erected to the brave men, often from right here in Halifax, who had secured this vast empire for God and Queen , by force of sword and pen.
A year later, in 1905, the British garrison was handed over to Canada and a fifteen years after that, the certitudes of the biggest empire the world has yet seen seemed much less secure.
But, inside the Gardens and forever, the Empire is still alright with the world !
Monday, April 7, 2014
Live Music Suggestions
Classical
The Maritimes Conservatory of Performing Arts , located on 6199 Chebucto Road, is just 100 metres west of the Halifax Commons , above its Robie and Cunard Streets intersection.
April 13 : the latest in the ongoing St Cecilia Concerts features soprano Allison Angelo, cellist Shimon Walt and pianist Simon Docking in "Moon Loves Its Light".
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