Newfoundland!

Julie and I arrived safe and sound, if not exhausted, to Newfoundland today. Getting downtown from the airport was fairly easy – the Newfies have this city-wide taxi system where you basically take a taxi wherever you need to go. From the airport, a lot of the taxis have fixed rates. So we only paid $25.00 to get downtown.

Newfoundland from the airplane window

We got off at Water Street, the main drag here in St. John’s. We were both carrying really heavy backpacks, due to our computers, so we weren’t entirely interested in passing through a lot of the shops, of which Water Street is mainly comprised. We searched out a pharmacy, and then the nearest post office, and while there we asked the postal lady if she could recommend a restaurant at which we could find good Newfoundland cuisine. The answer was Velma’s.

Lugging our backpacks a couple more blocks down Water Street, we eventually found our destination. The place was quaint, looking more like a run-down family owned business than a place with excellent dishes. But the appearance was certainly deceiving! We asked the server to recommend some tasty Newfie food, and we were extremely pleased with the results:

Julie ordered the seafood chowder and I got the cod au gratin. Both were equally delicious, a perfect first taste of Newfoundland.

After stuffing ourselves full on fresh seafood, Julie and I ventured out on Water Street yet again. We ended up as far as the habour, where we proceeded to spend the remaining hours of our day just lounging in the sun and watching the boats go by. We were both exhausted, for no real reason, but as Julie reminded me, lounging and relaxing is what vacations are all about.

In amidst the lounging, I also learned a few cool things that I never knew today. For example, the Labrador dog is a cousin of sorts to the giant Newfoundland dog and do you know what makes both unique? They have webbed feet! Apparently they love water, but I don’t remember Jakie plunging into our pool willingly very often. I also learned that clouds in St. John’s aren’t individuals, and that they just come together into a giant conglomeration that then covers the sunny weather right quick. Lol And finally, I learned that the houses that are always painted so brightly in pictures of Newfoundland landscapes are actually true to the colours of the actual houses. Everything is so bright and cheery here. That’s the part I love best so far!

At about 5:30pm we met up with Chantal’s friend Kristin at Coffee Matters. She directed us to her beautiful home here in Newfoundland. Kristin is a really interesting person. She has a really cool job with a consulting company here in St. John’s and she is involved in a big project right now that has her working crazy overtime. She seems to really enjoy her job though, so I think the overtime is probably worth it.

Kristin’s apartment is gorgeous. It’s a basement apartment, but the only way you can tell is that it’s much cooler than a regular apartment would likely be. But there are very bright windows in pretty much every room, and she has the place painted with very sophisticated, but playful colours (like lime green with brown accents). It’s awesome.

As a returning the favour-type thing, Julie and I decided we would cook Kristin dinner our first night here. So we hiked to the grocery store and purchased enough food to feed the three of us for dinner for the next three days. We also bought some food for lunches and breakfasts. Boy was food expensive! For three days-worth, it cost us just over $50.00. We couldn’t believe it. Thank goodness we don’t live on an island back home!

Julie and I also purchased a bottle of crowberry wine, a Newfie product. Kristin, Julie and I all decided it wasn’t a bad wine, but it was certainly not something we’d purchase again. 

Over wine we made plans for the screeching in ceremony we plan to take part in tomorrow. Kristin is coming too because, even though both her parents are from here, she herself has never been screeched in. So it should be a fun time. I’m nervous though! I don’t even know what screech is, but I’m thinking it’s something like moonshine. Guess I’ll find out tomorrow!

-Nicole