#515 Moshe Safdie - Wow!

Sometimes a building just makes me say Wow!

A few days ago I watched Charlie Rose interview architect Moshe Safdie.  I was shocked to learn how many Wow! Safdie buildings we've recently encountered in our travels without knowing their common architect. 

Singapore: Marina Bay Sands

National Mall: Unites States Institute of Peace

 Arkansas: Crystal Bridges Museum of Art

Kansas City: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

Montreal: Habitat '67

all images: msafdie.com

Architecture, it's my one weakness.  And maps.

Yours in enjoying the Wow! and the maps,
Kelly

#345 Great Big Sea

I've loved the music of Great Big Sea ever since I visited Newfoundland and long before I sailed across the great big sea. So when the Canadian celtic-rock band came close to home, we planned a road trip to the other city named for Queen Charlotte (Charlotte, North Carolina.)

Driving past the Dana Auditorium about 4 hours before showtime, we spotted Alan (the lead singer) standing outside the Great Big Sea bus. (He must have thought he'd be safe from the likes of me at this hour - but not so.) Coolly, I rolled down my window and yelled, "Hey Alan! We're looking forward to the concert tonight." Even more coolly, he replied, "Yeah. Me too. Thanks!"

As Kelly predicted, they opened with Donkey Riding - his favorite. Then they sang a lot of our old traditional Newfoundland favorites mixed with the new ones.

We especially liked Captain Wedderburn, Consequence Free, General Taylor, Helmethead, Jack Hinks, The Night Patty Murphy Died, and River Driver. Two hours later (with nary any sitting), the band closed with the rousing, audience sing-along The Old Black Rum and the a capella version of Old Brown's Daughter. Sweet. Many thanks to Liz for introducing me to Alan and the boys.

Yours in appreciation of the aligning musical planets which bring me Elton and Great Big Sea on two consecutive weekends,
Mary

#296 International Ice Patrol

When asked about north Atlantic icebergs and the prospect of striking one, our captain tells us he's staying 10 miles outside the current ice limit defined by the International Ice Patrol.

The International Ice Patrol was created in the Titanic aftermath. I like their maps. Look in the map legend. A 'Growler' is a piece of sea ice smaller than a 'Bergy Bit' which is smaller than an Iceberg.

Yours in the language of the Arctic subculture,
Kelly

#294 Why we hate Halifax

After a few days in Halifax, here are a few reasons we hate Halifax:
1. Friendly locals: Everywhere we went...shops, restaurants, hotels... the locals were always friendly and helpful. We hate that.
2. Courteous drivers: Just step off a curb anywhere and listen to tires screech as drivers stop to yield the way to pedestrians. We hate that.
3. Pleasant grafitti: The only tagging we saw anywhere in Halifax was spray painted on an exposed concrete wall behind a cargo container near the harbor. It read "I love my Grandma." We hate that.

4. Knitting in public: On Saturday, the locals were encouraged to visit their public library as part of an organized "knit in public" effort. We hate that.

5. Food: Halifax is home to a wide variety of unique local restaurants, ethnic choices, fresh seafood, inviting pubs, and attentive service, especially at Bud the Spud. We hate that.

6. Harbor: Halifax harbor is lined with red-roofed lighthouses, tall sailing ships, grassy islands, and an inviting boardwalk. It's the second largest harbor in the world. We hate that.

7. Kites: The ocean breezes make for outstanding kite flying. We hate that.

8. The MV Explorer sails out of Halifax harbor at 5pm today. We're leaving. We hate that. For all these reasons, we intend to return to Halifax ASAP.

Yours in hating to leave Halifax,
Kelly

#293 Dalhousie GIS

Dalhousie University is the largest post-secondary educational institution in the Maritimes. And after visiting their GIS Centre, the largest GIS library facility in Eastern Canada, I’d add friendliest to their list of accolades. I knew they were a good bunch when their quick reply to my email query included a photo of their building and a map to their office in the university library.

Thanks to Jennifer and Ray for their hospitality and to James for taking the time to talk shop and compare notes.

Yours in international GIS,
Kelly

#292 Halifax Traditions

Our first day in Halifax we revived one tradition and started another. Mary continued her Semester At Sea ritual of visiting a library in every port with a productive visit to the Halifax Memorial Library.

Launching a kite into the gentle breeze above the Halifax Citadel was my first international kite flying experience, with the expectation of more to come in the weeks ahead.

Yours in old and new traditions,
Kelly