Day 5 - Newfoundland
LAST FULL DAY ON THE ROCK: The last day. We woke to real Newfoundland
weather, well almost. It wasn't a huge storm, but compared to the
weather we've had it was probably closer to normal. It had turned cold,
very windy and rain. There was some snow flakes mixed in. This was our
free day so the weather didn't matter. Everyone was free to do as the
wished with their host family. Some vegged out at home, other revisited
the gift shops around town, while others made the trek into Lewisport.
THE FEAST: By late afternoon the winds were dying down and the rain
slowed. Everyone was gearing up for the big party. Real Newfoundland
style dishes, half of which contained fish of some sort. It was a real
feast and a chance for our gang to try new delicacies. Some kids were
more adventurous than others. All the parents were in attendance as well
as our twenty-two.
SCREECH-IN CEREMONY: Thirteen stools were placed on one side of the
cafeteria for the Shawville gang. We dutifully climbed up awaiting our
fate. After such a great exchange our hosts decided we deserved the
right to become "Honourary Newfies." That is if we pass the tests. Andy
was our official screecher-in.
THE HAT: The first test was to don a ball cap and know the proper
terminology. One by one we each took our turn. First Andy gave the
demonstration. Hold your cap off your head in a 45 degree angle to it.
This is the "hoff" position. Next place the cap on your head. This is
the "Hon" position. Next you give it a quick turn 25 degrees to the
right and this is the "locked" position. Andy handed the hat in turn to
each of us as we performed the Newfie putting on of the hat. We had to
repeat the words to each step. "Hoff," "Hon," "Locked." There was much
laughter over this as Andy kept reminding us to say the "H."
GOOD LUCK: We all passed the first stage. Didn't seem that difficult.
Next was a little tougher. We had to say "Long may your big jib draw." The trick was saying it really fast. This brought great laughter
from all. But even this tongue twisted didn't eliminate any of us. Next
test please.
PASS THE BREAD: Now a plate of dried bread was passed around. I mean dry
bread. Each person took one piece and had to eat it. (Of course, Barry
stuck his in his mouth before the rest of us. I told him we weren't to
eat it. Out it all came. Blah!) It was like eating a dog biscuit (yes I
tried one as a kid). Once in your mouth it sucked every ounce of spit
you had. After about five minutes we all had managed to get it down.
(Water please.)
SCREECH: Now a class of liquid is given to all of us. Andy announces
it's Screech. We have to drink it in one gulp - no stopping. One, two,
three, go! We all lift our glasses and begin. Down it goes. (Of course,
if it had been "screech" instead of Purity syrup it might have been
harder.) Now we're feeling confident. Our spirits are high. We can do
anything Andy throws at us and then some.
THE COD KISSING: Hey wait minute! Andy, what are you pulling out of that
desk? Ooo - gross, a huge fish - he says it's a cod. Now what? Do we
have to touch it? It looks like it was caught last year and left outside
for days before freezing it. Maybe being an honourary Newfie is not that
important. Andy now presents a rain hat, too. So what gives here? We all
wait to hear the new challenge. Andy makes the announcement. This is the
final test to becoming an honourary Newfie. All you have to do is "Kiss
the Cod." This brought groans and gasps by all. No way, we're not
kissing the cod. Our Newfoundland hosts and parents start to cheer us
on. Kiss it, kiss it, come on. One brave student stands up tall and
announces he'll kiss the cod. He dons the rain hat and proceeds to kiss
the cod. We are all in stitches over this. One down twelve to go. With
the hosts still cheering the rest of us on, each of us in turn kiss the
cod. This has to be the grossest thing any of us has ever done. Once
kissed, each person walked away wiping their lips and spitting. Our
hosts and ourselves were laughing so hard as each person kissed the cod.
It was a hoot.
REVENGE: Some of the hosts during the "kiss the cod" ceremony were
saying kiss it, I would kiss it. Wilb heard this and once we were
finished with kissing the cod, picked it up and went kid to kid making
them kiss it as well. This brought on more fits of laughter from all. He
finished by giving the fish a big smack himself.
WE'RE OFFICIAL: We made it. We passed everything Andy could throw at us.
After a brief discussion of the officials, it was decided that we were
"Honourary Newfies." (Clap now please.) Each host gave they twin an
official certificate of honourary membership.
THE MUMMERS: The students were asked to be the entertainment for the
evening. Skits, etc. The first up to the mic was Barry McGowan. Just as
he hit the top string on the guitar, there was a knock on the door. Wilb
calls out "Who's there." Four people walk in dressed up in costume and
wearing masks. One was playing the accordion and the other on guitar.
The two without instruments danced to the music and soon many of the
kids were up dancing too. They then played a jig and both of the masked
people pulled up kids to dance. Again more joined them on the dance
floor. After about four tunes, Wilb asked the audience if anyone could
guess the "mummers." (If you remember the project in Shawville: Over the
twelve days of Christmas in Newfoundland, people dress up and wear masks
and go door-to-door. The residents try to guess the identity and if the
do the "mummer" has to remove his/her mask. If not then the mummer moves
on to the next house. If the ID is known, then the hosts must provide a
snack and drink for the mummers.) It didn't take long before all four
were identified and they were treated to a full course meal.
THE ENTERTAINERS: We had a wide variety of entertainment. Barry started
off with a crazy song that he sang faster and faster. Each verse more
words were added and we tried to keep up in vain. The Newfoundland kids
sang "I'se the b'y" and Wilb had given us the words so we sang along.
Next some of the Shawville kids finally understood the words to "Forty
days on a iceberg" and broke out into song and action. Other kids
performed a variety of entertainment including the reading of poems, two
guitar pieces, a venquilatrist act and a fond farewell was read. (Hope I
didn't miss anyone.) Lots of laughs (LOL) were had by all.
ODE TO NEWFOUNDLAND: We all stood up for the singing of Newfoundland's
previous National Anthem. With two of the Newfoundland girls leading we
all joined in and sang. It was a great ending to a perfect night.
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