We landed in Saint John, New Brunswick on Monday and only had a short stay planned in port. We needed to see the sights and be back on board by 3:30. Probably the most interesting sight in Saint John is the Reversing Falls. It’s where the Bay of Fundy meets the Saint John River. The difference between low and high tides in Saint John is 40 feet. That’s a lot of water. Our Captain had said that if we didn’t leave on time, we would not get out of the harbor and be late for Halifax.
Where the bay meets the river an interesting phenomenon takes place. At high tide, the rapids go upstream since the bay water is higher than the river water. In low tide, it reverses hence Reversing Falls. We found out when we were welcomed into Saint John with a rose for Sue and a pin for me, that a cab ride to the Falls cost $7 for the first passenger and $1 for each additional passenger. That’s $10 for 2 couples. Dick, Ann, Sue and I decided it was worth the cab ride so we asked the cab drivers who were waiting at the entrance to the dock to take us there making sure it was only $10. One guy jumped at the chance.
We got into his messy van and gave him the 10 bucks. He started talking and never stopped. When he took a breath, our hearing was able to catch up to what he just said. He was all agog about having this fare and telling us that he would not only take us there but be our guide along the way. He put down his coffee. It must have been his 25th cup of the day. He was like a little kid who found a chest full of candy and couldn’t wait to tell everyone about it. He gave us the $50 tour. Showed us things that weren’t on the map like the farmer with 7 daughters who built a house for each of them.
When we got to the falls, he took us right by the point where the reversals happen. Every time a harbor seal lifted his head above the water, he would clap his hands and loudly yell to everyone there, “look! that’s a harbor seal, Oh! Boy! Eh!” He was not only giving us the heads up as to what was happening but he was letting everyone else know, too. He drove us back to the Market on the top of the hill. Dick and I gave him another $20. He was thrilled. It was the highlight of the day.
I never got a picture of him or his name but I’ll always fondly remember him. I’ll just call him the Caffeine Cabbie Eh!
Gerry paid a cab driver to drive us around St Martin many years ago. He, too, was so happy to have the $. Unfortunately he was so overpleased that he made the tour way too long for us (Matt, Steve, Gerry & I). We saw so much of the island but didn't have the time to swim in the water. We sure are blessed with the abundances God has provided.
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