A tongue-in-cheek website offers Americans refuge in the case of a Trump win. But there are lots of good reasons for visiting this corner of Nova Scotia whoevers US president
In early February this year, Destination Cape Breton, the tourist association for the rugged island off Nova Scotia, was fielding its usual one to two online inquiries a week. Then local radio host Rob Calabrese launched a cheeky website called Cape Breton If Donald Trump Wins, encouraging Americans to consider a move. Its home page read: Hey Americans! Donald Trump may become the president of your country! If that happens, and you decide to get the hell out of there, may I suggest moving to Cape Breton Island?
The media picked up the story, which quickly went viral, and Destination Cape Breton had to hire extra staff to field 5,000 questions from Americans who were either seriously interested in moving to the island or adjusting their summer travel plans to include a visit. Questions ranged from What is the process to immigrate to your beautiful island? to What are real estate prices like?
Even on days when brisk winds off the Atlantic or Gulf of Saint Lawrence (depending on which side youre on) threaten to blow you over, the island still exudes a sense of serenity.
The island has managed to preserve its rich, cultural heritage Acadian, Gaelic and Mikmaq. Perhaps its because it wasnt connected to the mainland until 1955, when the Canso Causeway opened for cars.
rapidly decreasing population inspired Calabreses idea. Our island is experiencing unsustainable population decline this year, 17 schools have been marked for closure, he says, so the future appears to be somewhat bleak.
Its easy to get involved in the culture here, he says. You cant go a day without finding music somewhere on the island. Indeed its not uncommon to go to a pub where live Celtic music (fiddle, guitar, piano, bagpipes) is a side dish to your catch of the day. Hotspots include the Red Shoe Pub in Mabou, the Doryman in Chticamp and Governors Pub in Sydney.
Cape Breton has also long been a haven for creative types, a mix of established artisans, like folk artist William D Roach, who you might see carving at Sunset Art Gallery in Chticamp, and young entrepreneurs, like Jeremy White and Melanie Bock-White, CFAs who started Big Spruce Brewing in Nyanza in 2013 and cant seem to brew fast enough. Were CFAs, but here by choice and here to stay, says White enthusiastically. We respect the pride that Capers have in coming from here, and we try to operate our business in a way they can proudly say is uniquely Cape Breton.
Calabrese has since edited the wording on his website to be more inclusive and less provocative. It now reads: The truth is, we welcome all, no matter who you support, be it Democrat, Republican or Donald Trump.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/jul/23/cape-breton-nova-scotia-canada-donald-trump