Random person at get-together: "So, we just got posted here from Comox, and I have to say, this is the shittiest shit hole we've ever been. This place is, like, horrible. And the people? OMG. Total hicks. You should hear them speak. They speak so weird! And have you heard about the South Mountain?? Like, wow!! So, where are you from?"
Okay, so maybe the dialogue isn't exactly like that... and maybe they're not always from Comox (but, in case you didn't know, Comox is the most amazing place on earth, just ask someone from there!) but the conversations I find myself involved in as a military wife often go a lot like that. I usually try to keep quiet, and refrain from hick-popping them in the head (let's make that a real thing!), until they ask that inevitable question... and then my answer is usually enough to shock them into silence.
Me: "I'm from here. And by the way, it's scallllop."
Can I just say that I personally think that Valley peeps are some of the friendliest around?! I mean, I'm fucking friendly!!! And the Valley is awesome! Sure, a lot of us try to escape it, but I think we all desperately miss it, and truly love it deep down. I moved away once... for a whole 10 months. And then I came back, and have been here ever since!
I grew up in a military family, but I was lucky enough to spend my entire life here in Nova Scotia. I was born at the (old) Kentville hospital, lived in Upper Clements until I was 6, and then spent the rest of my life in Kingston. I met Danny when I was 19, at the time when we still went to the Top Hat on Friday nights, and the atmosphere there between military and "local" folks was pretty disturbing. I'm sure Danny has had to defend his dating - and then marrying - a local girl more than once.
I understand that getting posted here from somewhere more exotic may be a culture shock. But it also seems like people these days are so judgy. They have their minds made up before they get a chance to really know a place. Or a person, for that matter. Any place is only as good as you make it. Danny and I could be posted to the North Pole, and have to live in an igloo, but I know that as long as we support each other in a positive way, we'd get along just fine... I mean, we'd probably fight because I'd always be turning up the heat, and he'd be leaving the igloo window open, but we'd still make the best of it!
The Valley (and Greenwood) has so much to offer! Beautiful views, spectacular drives, and hey! we even have a Walmart now!! Anyway, the moral of this story is... I'm from here. And here is awesome!
I understand that getting posted here from somewhere more exotic may be a culture shock. But it also seems like people these days are so judgy. They have their minds made up before they get a chance to really know a place. Or a person, for that matter. Any place is only as good as you make it. Danny and I could be posted to the North Pole, and have to live in an igloo, but I know that as long as we support each other in a positive way, we'd get along just fine... I mean, we'd probably fight because I'd always be turning up the heat, and he'd be leaving the igloo window open, but we'd still make the best of it!
The Valley (and Greenwood) has so much to offer! Beautiful views, spectacular drives, and hey! we even have a Walmart now!! Anyway, the moral of this story is... I'm from here. And here is awesome!
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