The following story is true.

It was a brisk night in early December in New York City, and Andy Delaney (my Dad) took his French Bulldog, Haggis, out for one last pee shortly before midnight. Haggis had his head down, smelling the various scents that the cityB次元官网网址檚 busy streets had to offer when he waddled straight into a dark figure hunched down at the base of a Christmas tree stand on Broadway.

B次元官网网址淗ey little buddy, how are you,B次元官网网址� asked the figure.

Unbeknownst to Haggis, heB次元官网网址檇 just stumbled into a complete stranger from Revelstoke, where DelaneyB次元官网网址檚 son (me) had just moved.

In New York City, from Thanksgiving onwards, Christmas tree stands pop up on street corners all over the city to give people somewhere to buy a real Christmas tree. Many of the trees come from Canada, and often the sellers do, too. Delaney, also being from Canada B次元官网网址� and familiar with the Canadian tree-seller phenomena B次元官网网址� asked the man if he was from Canada. The man, who will be referred to as Paul Pinecone for legal purposes, confirmed that he was.

B次元官网网址淗e said, B次元官网网址業 live in Revelstoke,B次元官网网址� said Delaney.

After finding out that Pinecone was from Revelstoke, Delaney said a single thought went through his mind.

B次元官网网址淗onestly, itB次元官网网址檚 that silly Disney song. ItB次元官网网址檚 a Small World,B次元官网网址� said Delaney with a chuckle.

When he moved to New York a few years ago, Delaney made a point to get to know the people in his area. Starting by saying hello to neighbours, waitresses, and baristas. Over time heB次元官网网址檚 become familiar with folks in his area.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just how I feel building a community happens,B次元官网网址� said Delaney.

So, when DelaneyB次元官网网址檚 dog, Haggis, bumped into Pinecone, Delaney introduced himself the same as he would to the other people in his community, but was surprised to hear where Pinecone was from, and curious about how he got there.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 kind of like a weird quirky adventure, I would say, and the potential to make quite a bit of money,B次元官网网址� said Pinecone.

This year was PineconeB次元官网网址檚 first in The Big Apple selling Christmas trees. Charging up to $30 per foot, Pinecone said that he hopes to save his money for the winter back in Revelstoke.

B次元官网网址淚 was hoping just to pretty much make some money to ride me out for the winter so I could just snowboard,B次元官网网址� said Pinecone.

He got to New York in mid-November ahead of the selling season, spending the first few days wandering around and getting to know the big city.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot different than Revelstoke,B次元官网网址� said Pinecone with a laugh, but he said B次元官网网址渢hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of things to do.B次元官网网址�

Once Thanksgiving passed, with his sightseeing concluded, Pinecone had to stay close to the stand for prospective buyers. But selling trees can be tricky business. First, he has to convince the buyers of the trees.

B次元官网网址淚 kind of got the sales pitch down,B次元官网网址� joked Pinecone.

Besides the challenge of selling the trees, Pinecone also contends with the noise that comes from selling on the corner of one of the busiest streets in North America.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e right on Broadway. So, thereB次元官网网址檚B次元官网网址� the road is never quiet,B次元官网网址� joked Pinecone, before adding that in Revelstoke he lives B次元官网网址渞ight next to the train museum anyway, so IB次元官网网址檓 used to the noise.B次元官网网址�

On top of the selling and the noise, Pinecone has also had the added hurdle of camping at the stand on the side of the road, which is one of the things heB次元官网网址檚 ready to leave behind.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been literally sleeping on like some pallets on the street for over three weeks now. So, itB次元官网网址檚 getting a bit much,B次元官网网址� said Pinecone.

PineconeB次元官网网址檚 struggle, apart from the financial benefits, also adds to atmosphere of the city, according to Delaney.

Despite the movies and tv shows that depict snow-clad city streets in New York for Christmas, the truth is much greener. Over the past several years, the city doesnB次元官网网址檛 get snow very often, and it rarely stays. So, locals depend on a few staples to get them in the Christmas spirit, including lights in apartment windows, window displays on Fifth Ave., and tree stands scattered around the city.

B次元官网网址淎ll you can smell are pine trees and the scent of pine needles everywhere. And, yeah, it really does add to the whole sort of visceral experience,B次元官网网址� said Delaney.

After a cold few weeks selling, Pinecone will make a speedy trek back to Revelstoke to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 pretty much just looking forward to my own bed and snowboarding,B次元官网网址� said Pinecone.

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