The baby daughter and I finally made it on the road by 2:30 p.m. and headed as far as Halifax for a pit stop.
A search of the bargain bins at Chapters and then (my Mothers Day) supper at Boston Pizza. Note to self, if going to Boston Pizza do not choose a Friday at 6 p.m. We were back on the road again after almost 2 hours. It’s nice that there’s no need to get off the divided highway from Halifax to Fredericton but it is still an over 4 hr. drive…in the dark, over unfamiliar territory without a map, to a university we’ve never seen and no specifics of which campus accommodation, after a full day already. So arriving at 11:30 p.m. we were delighted to find that security was most helpful and we were given room at the inn. We collapsed into the small, over furnished residence room beds and were almost instantly asleep.
Up at 7 a.m. to get ready for the orientation day. We headed over to a gratis breakfast then a welcome fair where everything from on campus computer sales, photo ID, meal plans, tours and various other topics were arranged in booths. A quick browse and then students headed off according to program to register and do course selection while parents were welcome to ‘what to expect’ sessions in their absence. My daughter reported a number of ‘helicopter parents’ who accompanied their kids and were not persuaded to leave the course selection process - apparently an increasing demographic. When she arrived back we sig
ned up for a residence tour and learned the ins and outs of living on campus followed by a free lunch. University of New Brunswick in Fredericton is a beautiful (rolling hills, leafy trees, large lawns, well kept gardens, views of the river, brick structures) as in the photo on the right, and the staff were very welcoming. Very reassuring to feel that we’re handing our baby (and lots of money) over to this establishment for the next four years. She decides this is a good fit for her and is looking forward to September. ID photo accomplished, many questions answered, and more generated we strolled a bit and took lots of photos before checking out the town. A lovely heritage city we did a bit of tour and then headed out onto the Trans Canada Highway. With only a short stop for gas and a surreptitious photo of my mothers family home we were in Halifax four hours later.We stopped at daughter # 2s summer place to find entertainment plans in full progress. Since the Argentine tall ship The Libertad was still in port and the museum staff (daughter # 2 and her co-workers) had become fast friends with some of the officers and naval cadets who were invited over to the apartment. This meant a call to our Cuban friend who was asked over in the duel role of translator/entertainer. We first headed out to supper at Anatolias (a wonderful Turkish restaurant) on Dresden Row - highly recommended if you find yourself hungry in Halifax. As we arrived back we found the downstairs neighbours with rock music thumping on the door steps making plans to go to out on the town. Shortly thereafter eight of the officers and cadets arrived with their museum hostesses and then our Cuban friend who assisted with clearing up some of the English/Spanish confusion (think Fawlty Towers and you won’t be far off).
We headed out just before midnight to Club Caliente the Caribbean bar on Spring Garden Road. I had originally planned to stay at the apartment with the youngest daughter but our Cuban friend assured us that she wouldn’t be checked for ID. “They don’t check for weapons or anything” he proudly proclaimed. When we came through the door the door man spoke to our friend, said hello to me and as I walked away I heard a loud “Mom!’ as he asked baby daughter for her ID. As I was preparing to make our exit and head on back to the apartment….serendipity occurred in the form of the coat check girl (who believe it or not was a close friend of daughter # 2) who spied us and wrapped her arms around baby daughter completely defusing the request for ID and we wandered inside. The club is beautiful, very clean, decorated like the tropics, exotic drinks, salsa music and free dance lessons. Needless to say the Canadian/Argentine exchange program was in full swing and they closed the place down at 2 a.m. I’m getting a bit long in the tooth for those kind of hours but it was fun to watch the young uns.
I crashed on the couch (getting a bit mature for couch surfing as well) at just before 3 a.m. to the sound of a male voice having a conversation with baby daughter. Turns out that wasn’t a dream but the New Zealand sub letter named Brody who had returned from visiting his ‘mates at a Barbie’ translated as his friends at a BBQ and was filling her in on the details. I woke to the phone ringing at 4:30 a.m. I waited and it stopped then resumed again. Now remember, this isn’t my house and there are three people asleep who do actually live here at this phone number who are not stirring. I trudge to the phone, answer it only to have to hold it away from my ear as it’s daughter # 2 yelling “Mom you locked us out, come open the door” I attempt to protest I had left the door unlocked as requested but she is adamant so I trudge downstairs and unlock the door and the gang troops in as I am still being berated for locking them out. Finally a sleepy voice of baby daughter defends me “no Brody came in last” and the accusations cease. All lights on and the search for one of the girls purses. I point them in the right direction and collapse on the couch as I listen to a cab being summoned at top volume before I drift off again.
Up at 8 a.m. to start out for home. The stop in the city was to break up the drive and supposedly catch some sleep - well one out of two I guess. A foggy, drizzly drive home to make sure baby daughter is straightened out in time for work and back to the domestic routine. Where did the weekend go? The first time I've thought I need to go back to work for a rest for a while.
