Oh, Canada!

When my boyfriend, Peter, asked me to join his family on a vacation to their summer home in Chester, Nova Scotia, Canada, I was terrified. We had been dating for not quite a year and although I had met his parents and brother, I was nervous of spending two weeks with them. Also, I had never traveled with Peter, so I thought the trip would prove to be interesting.

Although apprehensive at first, I decided that since I had never been to Canada and loved Peter, I should go.

During the full day of traveling North, I asked Peter tons of questions about my house to be for the next two weeks. By the time we had arrived in Nova Scotia I had learned a lot. The house, built by Peter’s great-Grandfather, was, as you can imagine, old. With no heat or air-conditioning, Internet or cable, I thought I was doomed.

We arrived some time around 2 AM. I was irritated from learning how primitive the house was and spending an entire day traveling. When I stepped out of the car, however, my bad mood was carried away with the cool night breeze. Above me were a million stars, shining brighter than I had ever seen in my life. It was a gorgeous sight and as I looked at the twinkling sky I knew that this vacation would be amazing.

Waking up early the next morning I was greeted with a beautiful sunrise. I tiptoed down the creaky wooden stairs not wanting to disturb anyone, but much to my surprise the entire family was already up and going. Peter and his brother, Andrew, were pulling out the sail for the little sailboat. Joe, Peter’s father, was setting out the lawn chairs in the back yard, while Mary, Peter’s mother made breakfast.

Every morning for the next two weeks went the same, but my days were filled with new adventures.

My favorite adventure took place on the water. While in Chester, I learned how to sail; something I never thought I would be capable of doing. It’s an exhilarating sport. The wind is always in your hair and your backside is constantly dipping slowly in and out of the frigid water. I’m not normally a water sports person, but sailing definitely captured my interest. Not only did I enjoy learning, but also I knew Peter was proud to teach me something he is so passionate about.

I went with the family to the yacht club in town, shopped in the downtown area, and drove out to smaller neighboring towns with Peter. Everything I did was a new, exciting escapade. By the end of the two weeks I wasn’t ready to go home.

I now look back on my little vacation as a learning process. I thought the no Internet or T.V. thing would really do me in, but I never once noticed I was going without my normal everyday conveniences. What had at first seemed like an intimidating and scary vacation turned out to be one of the most fun vacations I have ever had. I hope I get invited back this summer!