Travel Tips: Newfoundland
December 16th, 2005 by rsm
1. It’s a land of sea-faring people, even inland, commonly called “The Rock,” at least as far as the main land portion is called, which is not on the mainland… known as Labrador. The Rock is the Island. Occasionally you’ll see the semi-official Newfoundland motto: “Hanging on to Labrador just to piss Quebec off for over 100 years” The landscape is both beautiful in places, and quite harsh in others.
2. There are no poisonous creatures on the Rock. No poisonous snakes, no evil stinging insects (unless, of course, you get into a relationship.) Mosquitoes bite, they don’t sting. You might see whales, you’ll definitely see Icebergs if you look.
3. Be ready for an odd blend of accents from a rapid Scottish brogue to the stereotypical McKenzie-brothers sound. I remember one guy telling me the front door to a shop was “dune-stirs” not “downstairs.” And you will get used to them ending a sentence with “by” or “yes-by.” In time you might miss it.
4. Newfoundlanders are some of the most loving, caring, hospitable people I have encountered anywhere. Hands down. Remember that on 9/11 when a number of planes were diverted to the Rock, Newfies, without being called to do it, showed up at the airports with supplies, walked up to stranded passengers and each picked some to take home with them for a few days. I can say it doesn’t surprise me, it just makes me smile fondly. I experienced 3 improvised feasts in a week when the people of a hamlet found out there were a number of visitors in town from far away. I still remember the plump old lady waddling quickly down the street towards us with a bundle. I was worried something was wrong with a baby. “Oh, I just got these muffins outta oven and was wantin you to be gettin em hot, by.”
5. You will be accepted in a bizarre hazing ritual known as “Getting Screeched-in.” Like many great things, it happens in a bar. If you look it up online, the steps are milder than they were in my real-life session. Understand that you will at some point have to drink Screech Rum which is some of the nastiest, worst alcohol anywhere. There is a kissing of the Cod (though I also had to bite the head off a dried hallibut I think), then proving you could talk as a Newfie (usually a PG affair though my group insisted I take it to the XXX-level), and some sort of dousing/baptism type thing with seawater. Somehow, mine included a round of Screech down my pants… probably not a bad thing since it sterilized the tackle for later. Newfies are the most randy of all the peoples of Canada… and technically I was an honorary Newfoundlander at that point…
There are no poisonous creatures on the Rock. No poisonous snakes, no evil stinging insects (unless, of course, you get into a relationship.) Mosquitoes bite, they don’t sting. You might see whales, you’ll definitely see Icebergs if you look.
Be ready for an odd blend of accents from a rapid Scottish brogue to the stereotypical McKenzie-brothers sound. I remember one guy telling me the front door to a shop was “dune-stirs” not “downstairs.” And you will get used to them ending a sentence with “by” or “yes-by.” In time you might miss it.
Newfoundlanders are some of the most loving, caring, hospitable people I have encountered anywhere. Hands down. Remember that on 9/11 when a number of planes were diverted to the Rock, Newfies, without being called to do it, showed up at the airports with supplies, walked up to stranded passengers and each picked some to take home with them for a few days. I can say it doesn’t surprise me, it just makes me smile fondly. I experienced 3 improvised feasts in a week when the people of a hamlet found out there were a number of visitors in town from far away. I still remember the plump old lady waddling quickly down the street towards us with a bundle. I was worried something was wrong with a baby. “Oh, I just got these muffins outta oven and was wantin you to be gettin em hot, by.”
You will be accepted in a bizarre hazing ritual known as “Getting Screeched-in.” Like many great things, it happens in a bar. If you look it up online, the steps are milder than they were in my real-life session. Understand that you will at some point have to drink Screech Rum which is some of the nastiest, worst alcohol anywhere. There is a kissing of the Cod (though I also had to bite the head off a dried hallibut I think), then proving you could talk as a Newfie (usually a PG affair though my group insisted I take it to the XXX-level), and some sort of dousing/baptism type thing with seawater. Somehow, mine included a round of Screech down my pants… probably not a bad thing since it sterilized the tackle for later. Newfies are the most randy of all the peoples of Canada… and technically I was an honorary Newfoundlander at that point…
Stupid as it sounds, I’ve wanted to go there since I’ve discovered that they have their clocks set a half an hour off… I seriously think that’s cool, as I’ve proposed that very thing myself.
Okay, a bit before then, but that sealed the deal. I just want to bite the fish head off, and scream like Ozzy. Or not.
you always make me want to visit places.
I missed the Screeching in deal…I was really afraid of that cod-fish.
And then there was the time my friend and I decided to go down into Placentia and party at their little pub instead of the one on the base….hehehe. Very loyal, Newfies…I cannot remember the name of that bar to save my soul though.
I know someone who was on one of those diverted flights on 9/11. It is a remarkable story of amazing hospitality.