Send two introverts on vacation in Newfoundland, and one of two things is gonna happen: either they’re gonna talk with a lot of strangers and like it, or they’re gonna talk with a lot of strangers and feel uncomfortable.
For these two introverts, happily it was the former.
Even though we traveled with another couple, we talked with strangers on the regular. Meaning: every single day.
It started on the flight from Toronto to St. John’s, when the man seated next to me delighted us with his friendly helpfulness (and his Newfoundland dialect).
Usually when an airline seatmate is chatty, I withdraw into my book and my headphones. In this case, I was enchanted. And the Dear Man and I remained enchanted the whole time we were on vacation, talking with strangers.
Here’s what’s going on in Newfoundland that’ll turn even the most devout introverts into happy conversationalists with people they’ve never before seen…
The culture
At our 2nd B&B, we had breakfast with a couple from Quebec. They said they’d told a Newfoundlander their itinerary, and she said, “Ah, you haven’t allowed much time for chattin’ with people, eh?” We all laughed… but within a day, we realized the truth of that comment.
At our 4th B&B, the owner was one of the chattiest people we’ve known — and that was a wonderful gift. He directed us to great restaurants, he told fascinating tales of Newfoundland history, and he answered all our questions with patience and apparent pleasure.
And all of it in a truly delightful dialect that sounded 60% Irish, 20% Canadian, and 20% unlike anything else. Sounding the refrain, he also said, “You can’t know Newfoundland without talking with the people, right.” We were beginning to believe it.
Restaurant owners: also chatty and friendly and helpful. At 2 of the 3 best restaurants where we ate, the owners were particularly kind and happy people. Seriously: they radiated joy.
Sam, our flight seatmate, said, “I think you’ll find the Newfoundland people to be quite welcoming.” (Imagine those words, spoken in the Irish/Canadian/Newfoundland dialect. Lovely, right?)
Dude was correct.
Also: thanks, Sam, for the invitation to stop by for coffee and for the recommendations of cod tongues with scrunchions and Ches’s Fish & Chips. All so good.
Bed & breakfasts
When you’re travelling through small towns in Newfoundland, your only accommodation options are B&Bs or cabin rentals.
We stayed at several B&Bs, where we had delightful breakfast conversations with people of the following descriptions:
- True crime writer
- Movie grip
- Family history tourist
- Retired history teacher
- Swiss bankers
- Retired veterinary professor
- Couple who live on the same street as our BIL’s sister
Lack of Internet service
When traveling internationally and being frugal, often there’s no Internet service.
Also, when traveling in remote areas of Newfoundland: no Internet unless you’ve got wifi.
Therefore… more reason to talk with people, to find out information.
And… more reason to talk with people because you’re not all absorbed in the screen world.
Small island
We kept seeing the same people everywhere we went.
Then we’d drive to a new region, and we’d encounter a new group of fellow travelers who’d appear repeatedly at our B&B, on the overlook hike, at the shipwreck site, and then again at dinner.
Hello, friends! We’ll see you tomorrow on the whale watching boat.
For a couple of confirmed introverts, the experience was nothing short of life-changing.
I’ve returned to the States refreshed and renewed and feeling like a new human. When I say life-changing, I’m not even kidding.
I love stories of lightning bolts of self-development.
Anyone else have one of those life-changing moments during travel?
