My Trip to Newfoundland

Well, when my mom told me she was getting married, I was both surprised and thrilled. I'm sure my boss loved me when I told her I needed ANOTHER week off along with the one I had already requested to go to BC. "Where are you going now" she asked... well... "I'm going to Newfoundland". I'm so glad I went, ecause I got to see my mom the happiest I ever have. I'll try and summarize the trip with a few pictures for you.

When we flew into Gander, Nfld we didn't get off the plane in an actual terminal...  they just let you out of the plane there on the tarmac.  A new experience for me... mom said it's a lot like getting off the plane in the islands.  (Wish I knew that from experience!)  Now, when you're used to Pearson International Airport, seeing Gander airport is a shock.  It's TINY!   

My mom's fiance Doug and his two daughters Amanda and Crystal met us there.  Amanda was holding a video camera, which I assumed was j'ust innocent fun.  Little did I know that she wouldn't put it down all week! (c:   She's a cutie though, so I'll forgive her.  Anyway...

Our first outing was to a beach in a town I can't remember the name of... all I know is that it was small and had CRAPPY restaurants... according to Amanda the "smelled bad". 

So... this is the beach.  It was BEAUTIFUL.   I was out in the water (which I might add, was FREEZING cold) up to my neck, and I could still see my feet perfectly clearly on the bottom.  It was amazing.  The saying of the day "Once your body goes numb, it doesn't feel as cold."

Most of our days were spent just, well, killing time I guess you could say... but Thursday night brought a couple surprises!  First was the rehersal.   This went as expected.  I cried, mom cried... I think that's when it hit me... my mom was happy.  So, after the rehersal - as tradition is - is the rehersal party.   So, off to the local sports club we went.  We were NOT prepared for what would happen that night.

This was fine.  We weren't worried about this.   What we WERE worried about were the three chairs placed directly under this sign, on the stage.

Apparently it is tradition in Newfoundland that all visitors must be "screeched in" as honourary Newfoundlanders.  There are several criteria:

1. The candidate must be supported by a born Newfoundlander... we had no problem with this, if Doug was willing to marry my mom, then he sure had beter support us.
2. Apparently we had to be able to converse with the locals in newfie language.  As you can probably guess, there were lots of "eh dhere by"s and talk of cod and alcohol.  One condition though, is that you had to speak in a newfie accent.  Lucky me, I got to go first.  This was relatively painless one I overcame my nervousness.

What would follow was the big shocker... I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Yes... we had to kiss a cod fish.  Notice our friendly host in his yellow rain gear.  What a character he was.  So, I can now say that I've puckered up and kissed a cod fish.  My mom was relatively shocked... Larissa was just disgusted.  I foud this to be relatively easy to do.  I guess that's what I get for working in the meat department for a summer...I've become numb. (c:  So, that was criteria number three.

I think the WORST part of this initiation for me was criteria number 4.  I'm sure everyone has heard of Newfoundland Screech.  The dreaded elixr of drunken newfies.  Well... criteria number four entailed downing a shot of screech.   Well, all it really is, is Jamaican Rum.  Well, this is all well and good, but Lisa HATES rum.  AND I'd never shot ANYTHING in my life.  Was that stuff ever strong.  YIKES.  As for my sister's response?  She did her shot, let everyone clap, then tilted the glass up to get the last few drops.  Go Larissa go!

That was the end of the surprises for the evening.  Here are a couple more pictures from the evening.

	This is Larissa (my sister) with Doug's sister Debbie.   Debbie is a sweetheart.  You have to understand one thing: Larissa is not a huggy person, and Debbie lives for hugs.  I think this picture is self explanatory.
This is Amanda, Doug's youngest daughter.  She's 12.  She likes carrots... and Elmo. (c: Behind her is her cousin Rochelle, who is also 12.

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