QUITE RIGHT

We have a city tour scheduled this afternoon and I can’t wait to meet these guests, just to find out why they’re here. Off season tours are no doubt unique, but they most often start the exact same way; “Now, what brings you crowd to Newfoundland in the middle of an April winter? There’s no doubt we’ve got tales to tell, dozens in fact, but I can’t imagine how I can possibly top your story today. There’s something not right about you crowd”

There’s no doubt about it, our guests are amazing. Newfoundland attracts a special quality of traveller, seasoned tourists who’ve seen just about everything and are still looking for those fleeting moments of brilliance in a truly unique environment. Any time spent in St. John’s promises to be memorable, but this is not a normal time to visit Newfoundland, so our guest’s demographics tend to skew even further into the “bizarro world of wonderful” during the off season.

 

“… the bizzaro world of wonderful…”

 

Last week we hosted a couple whose son is a pilot in the US Air Force. Despite the many flights he logs on an annual basis, it seems he most frequently stops in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and almost always ends up delaying their flight with an overnight “spree” on George Street. Or perhaps it just seemed that way, for St. John’s is the only place he ever speaks of, and does so with such reverence and passion. Their intrigue finally peaked when he recently experienced yet another delay in “Newfie”, returning home with some fantastic story about meeting heavy metal rock legends ‘The Killer Dwarfs’, a back stage pass, and the ensuing performance at an intimate St. John’s concert venue.

 

Thankfully it was a gorgeous day and they really got to see the city in all her grandeur, including a ridiculous iceberg that “grounded” itself in St. John’s harbour the week. We dined at Chafe’s Landing, a lovely seaside restaurant in Petty Harbour. Walked through the WW2 bunkers at Cape Spear, drove around the old US Army base at Fort Pepperell, and stopped to visit the ‘Crow’s Nest’ officer’s club in downtown St. John’s. We worked our way throughout the region’s many attractions, and made certain to visit every landmark that honours our relationship with the United States and the vital role they played in Newfoundland’s war and aviation history.

 

On the harbour front we stopped to chat with the local fishermen who expressed their reverence for the  American People and the vast history we’ve shared. After all, we’ve been business partners, trade associates, wartime allies, and thanks to the 20,000 girls we sent home as wives to American servicemen, blood relatives. 

 

“… chat with the local fishermen…”

 

By the time we finished our tour they were quite emotional, thanking me for the time and special attention to their interests, explaining; “Its so good to see the level of care and the warm welcome you provide for our service men and women. This is their last chance to cut loose and embrace a proper ‘Shore Leave’  before entering a potentially difficult combat situation – as well as the first opportunity to celebrate their safe return on the route home. Understanding the importance of these reprieves provides us with great comfort. God might have blessed America – but Newfoundland has certainly become a sacred ground for our troops. We thank you and everyone in your community for your kindness and affection”

Make no wonder the American Airforce has such a high incidence of aircraft repair and maintenance in St. John’s, Newfoundland. They’ve been here often enough to recognize; “If there’s nothing wrong with the plane, find something that’s not quite right!”