I felt giddy. I still get butterflies thinking about it. But why? I’m an adult . My giddiness seems ridiculous. Digging in to examine it now, those butterflies are the unparalleled thrill of embarking on the unknown. I should never stop feeling giddy.

I wanted to see to Nova Scotia. Because the name conjured images of a remote and rugged land. Aside from my imaginings, I knew nothing about it except for its mention in an old Carly Simon song.