We grew up and lived in British Columbia, Canada. In order to begin this adventure we call our new lives, we had to leave BC behind and drive for 28 days to get to our new home-land: Prince Edward Island, Canada. (Yes, the drive could have been done in five days, but we couldn’t resist visiting friends and family, seeing Niagara Falls, tobogganing in Quebec City, visiting the House of Commons, among many other events.)
We’d heard a lot of rumours and stereotypes about PEI, “the Gentle Island”: very flat (not so!), over-loading on Anne of Green Gables, and potato fields at every turn.
However, there are a few exciting notables that we’ve had fun discovering about our new Province, of which we’d had no idea.
All pop comes in glass bottles, just like in the old days. Aluminium pop cans are banned, although we hear that this law may be on its way out.
Most stores are closed on Sundays–yes, even Wal-Mart!
In addition to their garbage bin, all businesses must provide a compost bin! I haven’t had a chance to research the legalities of it, but it seems that ALL businesses must provide a “waste” and a “compost” bin. For example, a fast food restaurant will have one garbage can (with a sign stating “Styrofoam, plastic drink lids, all other waste”) and one compost bin (with a sign saying “Paper cups, napkins, food, etc.)”. In addition, home garbage collection incorporates composting; one week the garbage man comes to collect your waste, the next week, the compost man comes to collect your compostables (paper goods, kleenex, food, etc.).
Of course, there are billions of other weird and wonderful minute differences, but upon our arrival these three factors about Prince Edward Island shocked and thrilled us.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how people lived in the past and what elements of that lifestyle I’d like to bring back to the present. Glass bottles is one of them. I rarely drink pop but when I do I tend to drink pop imported from Mexico (even brands like Coke and Pepsi) because they come in glass bottles. I’m also a nut for sending real letters and cards rather than email when possible. I’ve come to appreciate the ephemera in life. Thanks for letting us know about the differences about living on PEI.
We need the simply life, we have just forgetton how to live it. Less is more as they say. I have choosen a different path and one often struggles with whether it was the right path or not. I know you two will enjoy your life in PEI.
News bulletin: Since we moved to PEI, the glass bottles are NO MORE!! :(