Screeched!!

Sept 19, 2019 

We woke up to a beautiful day.  Today we planned to visit the Rooms.  Room’s is the name of the St. John’s cultural building and it is the home for a Museum, Provincial Archives and the Art Gallery.  It was built in 2005, on the site of Fort Townsend, an important defensive fort that protected the Port of St. John’s in the 18^thcentury.  This impressive building overlooks the city of St. John’s.   We enjoyed a coffee in the café and looked at the Port of St. John’s below. A large cruise ship, Sapphire Princess, was docked at the visitor pier. 

Debbie and I spent five hours there and went through many of the exhibits.  The museum featured the history of the many cultures that make up the patchwork of Newfoundland’s rich history.  It featured the Innu, Inuit, Mi’kmaq, Southern Inuit, Irish, French and Acadian cultures and how these peoples influenced each other, and shaped the Newfoundland culture. We also learned some new Newfie sayings! We also enjoyed the exhibit featuring the whole fishing industry of Newfoundland, from whaling, seal hunting, and cod and squid fishing.  We then learned about the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the 166^thNewfoundland Field Regiment and the 59^thNewfoundland Heavy Regiment along with the Royal Artillery. This province supplied a great many young men and women for many of these military units in the various conflicts. It was very informative and interesting.  

Another interesting feature was a documentary film that was recently completed about the first flight of Amelia Earhart. She was actually a passenger on that flight.  The little unknown fact is that Amelia Earhart actually landed in Trepassey, Newfoundland and then continued on to England.  She actually landed in Wales. The producer, Lorne Warr, presented the film and gave insight into his research and producing and other little known facts about this flight.  On her second flight she landed in Harbor Grace, Newfoundland.  A statute of her is erected there.

We went back to our trailer, changed and then went downtown to meet Meg at her hotel. Before we left the trailer we got a message that the Argentia ferry was cancelled for Saturday and our departure day was now Sunday. Hurricane Hoberto was making its way up the eastern coast. I think that big black cloud had found us again. We arrived in Newfoundland with a hurricane following us and now we were leaving with one coming

Tonight we are planning to get screeched!  Meg offered to take some of the things that Debbie had collected on our trip, back to Nanaimo, as she had room in her suitcase.  (That gave some more room in our small trailer.) From her hotel room we watched the Sapphire Princess leave her berth and sail out into the Atlantic.  We then walked down onto Water Street and ate dinner at the Bier Market.  Meg had to work tomorrow so after dinner we walked her back to her hotel and then Debbie and I returned to George St. to find a place to get screeched.  

We entered Trapper Johns, a place that had been recommended to us, by several people.  (It is actually a little scuzzy.) Trapper Johns was full of customers enjoying the last part of a comedy hour.  We registered with John and then watched the remaining five comedians.  Of those five, only one was actually funny.  Perhaps we should have had more to drink before coming here.  After comedy hour, it was time to be screeched.  John explained the process and of course the first thing that we needed to do was have a shot of Newfoundland screech.  Newfoundland screech is actually very strong rum. We had to down it in one gulp and Debbie was a master!  John then asks us if we are true Newfoundlanders. We then had to repeat a Newfoundland greeting, ”Indeed I is, me ol’ cock! And long may yer big jib draw!”  It means, “Yes, I am, my old friend, and may your sails always catch wind.”  We then had to kiss a cod fish on its lips.  John then took his paddle and touched our shoulders and declared that we are Honorary Newfoundlanders. He then gave us certificates to make it authentic.

After another beer, Debbie and I went to another pub, O’Riley’s.  A small band was playing, the place was packed and it was rocking.  They were playing Irish songs and Newfie songs and everyone was having great time.  We paid the cover charge and went inside.  We drank and danced until 1:30!  The band had finished playing and it was time for us to go home.  At the end of the street a long line of taxis were waiting to take people home.  We selected one and got home safely.  We were feeling pretty good, having been screeched.  We fell into bed.