Newfoundland

It has been quite some time since I last entered a posting on this blog. We were in Newfoundland for ten days where cell phone and wifi coverage were spotty and sometimes non-existent.



Newfoundland (pronounciation is New fun Land..........emphasis on land, like understand) is truly a world apart. Rugged, remote, isolated........where everything revolves around the sea. It is an island and the "Newfies" refer to themselves as "Islanders" and Newfoundland as "The Rock'. The reference to rock is because you see granite cliffs everywhere. The scenery is breathtaking..........the dark granite rocks up against bright green pine trees, the blue sky overhead and the deep blue sea beneath.



The people here are tough, hardworking, simple folk who greet visitors with a friendly smile and are anxious to chat. They have a thick brouge...........like a combination of Scottish, Irish. They speak in a very lilting manner...........hard to describe. I will try to give you an example............"I'm gonna go and doos up a cake for ya" ( I will bake a cake for you) And............they use "ya see?" and "right?" after most everything they say. For example they might say..........."Mama doos her washin, ya see?, and she takes em inside, ya see? We had such fun listening to these phrases and found the people so sweet and charming.



There are many customs that we found interesting. For instance, they advertise "Mug ups". Many restaurants and stores say "We serve Mug ups here. A mug up is a cup of strong tea with molassas and homemade bread. I became addicted to the tea and molassas.........the only way they drink hot tea......and will be looking for molassas so that I can re-create that here. Another custom is "Mummers". They also call them "Janneys". This is a Newfoundland custom that was brought over from England. It is most often done during the 12 days of Christmas. People will dress up in outrageous costumes, with masks and carry a wooden stick with bells on the end. They will go from house to house, ring the doorbell pound their stick and ask "Any Mummers loud in" (translation...........Are Mummers allowed to come in?) If they come inside, they pass out treats, march around banging their sticks, sing and dance. Newfoundlanders are musical and love a good time.

Another custom is called a "Screech in". This is where they welcome people to Newfoundland by having them kiss a cod (yes, a real fish) and drink some screech (a type of rum). This is usually done in pubs, perhaps one night a week, and then the newcomer is presented with a certificate saying that the person has been officailly screeched in to become an honorary Newfoundlander. Barb and I were looking for a place to get "Screeched in" but the guys were rather nonplussed about it all. Party poopers! Howvever, Barry and I did get an opportunity while we were aboard the "Atlantic Vision Ferry" coming across from Newfoundland back to Nova Scotia a few days ago. The ferry was like a brand new luxury cruise ship, complete with a lounge that had live music. We were listening to the "Newfie songs" when all of a sudden the musician asked if anyone would like to be "screeched in". This was a milder version of the screech ins at the pubs. It was a family affair and they used a fruit drink instead of rum but............at least we got the experience! Fun!

I have more to tell of our time in this beautiful and isolated place but don't want to tire your eyes. I will do a second posting and give you "the rest of the story".