It was a long nine-hour flight from Vancouver to Sydney, Nova Scotia. Although the travel time is supposed to be five hours, the lay over at two airports in the middle made the journey longer. At the time I said goodbye to my mother, my eyes were filling up and I didn’t want to leave BC ground. I knew I was going away again and might not come back for a long time. Nostalgia enveloped my senses. As I turned away from my mother at the airport to walk towards my departure gate, it leaked out of my being. As liquid it poured out of my lacrimal ducts. Even the sebaceous glands were not spared. As everything melted within me, the clouds over the city of Vancouver started the condensation process within them. They shed themselves of their heavy loads. It started raining. I saw the tears fall on the windowpanes of my waiting lounge for an hour before I finally waved goodbye to my beloved Vancouver from the sky.
By the time I arrived in Toronto, I was at peace with myself. I could not fight my destiny. I was meant to go to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia had offered me a job first without any strings attached. Dalhousie administrators had been so lovely to me. I could not let them down. I would go to Nova Scotia and show them my gratitude. I had always wanted to go to Dalhousie University for schooling.
There is a beautiful hill station in India called Dalhousie. Growing up in India, I had heard that Dalhousie had the best convent girl’s school in the country. I use to study at Sacred Heart, Amritsar. Dalhousie Sacred Heart was where I would have gone if my parents had decided to put me in a boarding school. As a little girl, I would imagine myself running on five green rolling hills of Dalhousie in my school uniform. It was my little peaceful place. Over time Dalhousie hill station became my secret garden. When I discovered some years after moving to Canada that there was a university in Canada with that name, I was intrigued. I had wished for Dalhousie as a child. I am in Dalhousie as an adult. I suppose they are right when they say be careful what you wish for. The geography is different. I am different. The very essence of the two places is different. But dreams are the same. Time will show that these two far removed locations share more than a name in common.
Although my job is under the umbrella of Dalhousie University, I am based in Cape Breton, Sydney. Sydney is the third largest city in Nova Scotia. It is quaint. Although the city is small there are two major hospitals here. There is only one Chinese and no Indian. People of Sydney are very friendly and warm. They care about each other. Neighbors actually speak. In Cape Breton, the crime scene consists of two kleptomaniac 25 year olds. To demonstrate the hospitality of the people here, I shall tell you that I have been given a study desk and a dinning table by the manger of my building when she realized I had no furniture. I did not ask her to give me anything. She offered. Another person is giving me a free bed and the nurse who works at the office of my preceptor asked around and is getting me a free microwave. This is within the first two weeks of my arriving here. I am not sure if Vancouver would fair on the same level. Perhaps, it would if one knew people.
The generosity of the people is overwhelming. Their kindness is genuine and smiles are real. They welcome all to their beautiful Island and hope that the guests would stay. Although rated one of the most beautiful Islands in the world by National Geographic two years in a row, Cape Breton has been unable to woe its people with its beauty. Even the natives of Cape Breton seldom stay here. There are no jobs. With the exception of medicine there is demand for no other professionals. Population consists mainly of retired folk. The young can’t wait to grow up and go exploring and chasing their dreams in big cities of Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba. I seem to be making a different journey. After having run all my life after dreams in the lights of big cities, I decided to create my dreams. I have learned that no one as lonely as a person walking down the street alone in Times Square, New York. I am glad for this little island on the Atlantic. At least there are no bright lights to contrast with the darkness under my umbrella.
The hospital in North Sydney is situated right on the Purves Street that runs by the ocean. One can see the Atlantic on one side and beautiful houses on the other. It is a pleasant drive to take on one’s way to work. Purves Street does not remind me of Marine drive. Marine drive has big houses on either side always in competition. On Purves street even the ranchers stand proud. No one is showing off here. I am not sure if it would be fair to compare Vancouver to Cape Breton. Cape Breton is serene and slow. Vancouver is chaotic and fast. There is a main street in Cape Breton. I am not on East of main here but my current location definitely puts me on the east of Vancouver. I love Vancouver and I like Cape Breton.
For a doctor aspiring to be a writer, I am thankful. I am glad I am here. Even in the midst of the snowstorms and flurries. I like it. Cape Breton’s gentle beauty inspires the aspiring one within me.
Tags: Vancouver, Canada, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, East Coast, Residency, work, beautiful places in Canada, people of Canada, home move, new start, Dalhousie University, Dalhousie hill station, migration
February 8, 2009 at 1:37 pm |
It must be nice to be in a place where people are so friendly and actually know one another. Its such a contrast to living in a busy city where people never have time to acknowldge one another or to appreciate their surroundings. I think its good to get a taste of both worlds. This is very well written Barinder. I enjoy reading your pieces. The pictures loook amazing. They make me want to go and explore Sydney.
February 9, 2009 at 10:08 am |
People who can follow their dreams are very lucky and of course to get something you have to leave something. Its hard to leave parents but thats the way it is. Nature always inspire people with good heart and nature reminds you your basis. Definitely this is very well written and you have words to express your feelings. Doctors are always close to nature as life is nature’s creation. I have always admired people with ideas, good heart and love towards nature. It is well said that a person walking down wall street can be lonely as compaired to one sitting at a beach. Its your inside what make you happy not the materialistic world. I always have the dream of exploring the world, sketch and paint mountains, lakes and big skies. Lucky you to get what you wanted.. Keep it up.
February 11, 2009 at 8:20 pm |
I am so delighted to hear of your good experiences at the new place. You are bound to attract nothing less. Your piece reminds me of a quote by Marcel Proust: “The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes”. I never doubted that you could irradiate things with fresh insights. But you also explore new places and embrace new possibilities for change and growth. Moving towards new horizons, it is wonderful that your memories of the old places do not fade – rather your words thread together the present with the past, the near with the far, and the unknown with the known. May you discover many more amazing things.
October 14, 2009 at 3:38 pm |
Hi I somehow came across this page i’m looking to do the opposite move to vancouver from sydney…have you driven the cabot trail its pretty this time of year..anyways hope i like vancouver like you like sydney…sydney was a great place to grow up and will retire…but the inbetween i must venture out somewhere else hope sydney is still going great for you!