Why Newfoundland

I hope to share my story for my love of Newfoundland and it's people. The story is ongoing and dates back to December 2010. This first post is the beginning, a snap shot of "Why Newfoundland."
As Drew Brees states about New Orleans I too feel the same about Newfoundland:
"If you love Newfoundland, she'll love you back." Here's my story.

 Why Newfoundland?

People ask me “Why is Newfoundland your dream vacation spot?” It starts back in December 2010, it was Christmas Break and I was exploring something to learn. I love the sea, especially the North Atlantic. I saw Newfoundland on a map. I knew nothing about the place. Was it a country? Was it a part of someplace, what was it? I first found some pictures that blew me away. I thought to myself, this place is special. The raw natural beauty of the landscape was something that I had never seen. I read a brief history from a Wikipedia page. I was hooked, but how to learn about Newfoundland was my next challenge. Should I do a computer search about Newfoundland? Should I read a book about it’s history? What direction to take? I had heard about a social media platform called Twitter. I challenged myself to learn about Newfoundland from everyday people. I opened a Twitter account and searched Newfoundland. I found a group of young ladies who seemed to have a lively dialogue. I started following people, but I didn’t interact. I was learning what daily life was really about in Newfoundland. I believe my first interaction was with Jenny Wright. She was working at a non-profit helping homeless youth. I soon became friends with her and met (via Twitter) her family.

These interactions led me to start branching out in my education. Saturday morning I would listen to CHMR’s program that featured NL music. I remember the first time I heard the pure sweet sound of Matthew Byrne performing traditional ballads. It was beautiful. I progressed through listening to Hey Rosetta, Great Big Sea, The Navigators, The Irish Descendants, Shanneyganock, and more. This past year my wife and I celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary in Dallas, Texas listening Alan Doyle and Cory Tetford. What a great time. Alan brought a tear to my eyes with his tribute to his parents in “Somewhere In A Song.” I found Newfoundland is truly blessed by some of the greatest music in the world - a spirit that is captured in “Home, Boys, Home.”

My next step was the food. I became friends with Barry C Parsons - Rock Recipes. I even learned about the United States from Barry’s travels. It was fun to see his kids grow up. They are the ages of two of my own children. Like challenges and growth though different settings. I was a chef for 20 years and the cuisine of The Rock fascinates me. The use of traditional techniques and indigenous ingredients makes Newfoundland a great place for foodies. Whether it’s Raymond's, The Rooms Cafe, Duke of Duckworth, Chinched, or something Todd Perrin is cooking up, the food is very appealing to an old man from Texas. 

Local issues, politics, and sports have been fun to follow. What a roller coaster ride to watch in sports: gaining then losing, gaining then losing, and final gaining a professional hockey team that won the cup was exhausting. From Muskrat Falls, to Jimmy Buffett, or to a new fence, local life has it’s talking points. For local insight John Gushue has been a welcome voice, whether it is reading a piece of his work or talking to him about seeing the Rolling Stones back in 1981. 

Visually speaking Newfoundland is stunning. I am fortunate enough to have become friends with Brian Carey. His eye for life in St. John’s is incredible. I believe when he looks through his lens we have the opportunity to see the soul of Newfoundland. I true gift of art.

These are some of the stories that have personally touched me.

1. Seeing Jenny be an incredible mother and role model. Giving a voice to those who are not heard.
2. Having Frank, in Corner Brook, greeting my sister and brother-in-law at the dock on their visit this past fall. My sister couldn’t believe that someone I had never met in person would give them such a warm welcome. Sadly Frank died in June.
3. Becoming friends with John, Barry, and Brian.
4. Having Russell Crowe retweet one of my tweets on the kindness of NL citizens.
5. Talking with Alan Doyle about my playlist for an 11 hour drive.
6. Advising a political candidate on the use of social media and then having him send me a direct message right before he walked on stage to receive his party’s nomination. (He was probably shocked when he found out I was just a Special Education Teaching in Texas.)
7. Having Kimberly, Ro, Donna, Tara, Anestacia, Robyn, and Jen reach out to my oldest daughter when she was at a turning point in her life.
8. The truest illustration of the spirit of Newfoundland comes from a landlord. A young professor was moving to St. John’s to teach at MUN. His flight was arriving around midnight. The next day was a holiday and stores would be closed. The landlord realized this and stocked the young professors refrigerator so he would have something to eat over the holiday. ONLY in Newfoundland does this type of kindness exist.   

The people are what make Newfoundland special, the people are truly real, decent, and kind. Newfoundland is more than an Canadian Province. The harsh elements of nature make it difficult, if not impossible, for an individual to prosper or even survive. It is the warmth of the community spirit that makes Newfoundland great. That is why I am making Newfoundland my dream vacation.

These are just some of the reasons I was brought to tears when my oldest child surprised me with a ticket to St. John’s this past March.

Blessing of Love and Peace to all.