Getting in the frame of mind- Newfoundland
- FancifulRoamer
- Jan 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 24
Before or during my travels to a different country, I like to find out about the local lifestyle. Learning about the culture we're about to visit can get us into the frame of mind, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the experience. Here are some ways to place yourself in a Newfoundland frame of mind.
Read
Reading novels is a fun way to get a glimpse into the lives of people from distant times and regions.
The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, a novel by Wayne Johnston. This book follows the life of Newfoundland's first premier, Joey Smallwood. He was a controversial person, as he helped Newfoundland join Canada as a Province. Many were against this, as Newfoundland was about to lose its independence. It is set in the beautiful landscape of Newfoundland.
Sweetland, by Michael Crummey. This work of fiction follows the torments of an inhabitant of an isolated island of Newfoundland. As fishermen immigrated to Newfoundland, each family had their own settlement in bays, across the vast land. In the 50s, the government decided to bring everyone together in larger communities. So many had to leave everything they had, from houses to animals. The novel follows the life of Moses Sweetlan,d who decided to remain alone on an island.
Watch
These movies are not about Newfoundland, but they are partially shot there.
Outlander is a 2008 action movie loosely based on the epic poem Beowulf. The main character is a humanoid alien, the only one that survived a spaceship crash. It is filmed in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, another Atlantic Coast province of Canada.
Aquaman, 2018. Besides Italy and Australia, this movie was also shot in Newfoundland. The movie follows the superhero Aquaman in his quest to save the surface world. As he is half-human, he fights to stop his evil step-brother from destroying the world of his father. Several landscapes and exteriors were filmed in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland.
Eat
Food is the first deep dive into a local culture, and my favorite way to get into a Newfoundland frame of mind.
If you want to prepare your taste buds before arriving in Newfoundland, I recommend starting with a pea soup, and fish and chips.
Try local foods like cod tongues, mussels, oysters, and lobster dishes at the St. John's Fish Exchange.
You can try many cod dishes at The Duke of Duckworth. They have everything cod, from fish and chips to cod chowder to cod au gratin.
You have to finish your meal with a berry dessert and a cup of tea.
Drink
Newfoundland's iconic beverage is Screech Rum. Locals usually drink it with Coke or ginger ale, over ice.
Newfoundland has an extensive collection of local breweries, so you have to try a few. My favorite is Quidi Vidi, but the Bannerman Brewery and Yellow Belly are also crowd-pleasers. Sour and iceberg-infused beers are popular.
Local wines are usually sweet, and you can also try wines made from berries.
Listen
To get into the mood of Newfoundland, listen to songs like these:
Music is a big part of Newfoundlander's lives. They love Irish music and sea shanties, as some settlers came from Ireland. Plus, the tunes are so catchy.
I hope you enjoy your travel experience, regardless of whether you decide to make the trek or not. We can still enjoy other places and cultures from our home.