The Junos, Newfoundland Hospitality, and Celebrating Come-From-Aways

If you have been following my Tweets or Facebook status updates for the past week or so, you’ll know that I was anticipating a weekend of epic Canadian Junos partying.

Last weekend far exceeded my expectations and effectively put me out of commission for at least a few weeks. As a result I developed insomnia, a head cold, and a strong aversion to Jockey Club.

Yeah, right.

I have been left in a state of haze since the whole ordeal happened. I can barely wrap my head around it. Myself and the others involved are still dealing with the aftermath.

Anyway, so we threw a massive barbecue on Friday night for Matt’s and Renee’s friends from out of town. The boys were visiting Newfoundland for the first time, so we expected to greet them at the door with a case of Jockey Club and another case of India Pale Ale. But their flight was postponed so they actually showed up around 1 a.m., with a party in full swing, and no supper in sight.

Fortunately for us, bars on George Street were open until 4 a.m. in celebration of the Junos, giving us some leeway.

The night turned out to be a good one. That’s all I have to say.

Saturday morning we got up, loaded two cars full of people, and headed to the Classic Cafe for some fish and brewis, toutons and Caesars. Yes, Caesars. Hair of the dog…it works.

Breakfast.

Breakfast.

Matt and I then took the boys on a little tour around downtown St. John’s, stopping for coffee, wandering through George Street sober (a humbling experience, really), along the water front, and then to Fred’s Records where live entertainment was taking place.

We then went on an epic roadtrip to see the oil tankers in CBS, but got sidetracked and ended up at a lame wharf instead. I think we were in Kilbride. Still, it was a neat way to see something outside of St. John’s, and some of the scenery was incredible.

Were on a wharf!!!

We’re on a wharf!!!

By the time we got back into town, it was time for Round 2. We loaded up on food and cooked up some halibut and cod tongues, showered and invited some people over. It turned out to be another fantastically late night, introducing the boys to all our regular haunts. Renee’s friends, however, got to party with the Trailer Park Boys at their hotel and ended up meeting a bunch of celebrities. But whatever, we’re cooler. We flaked out in bed at 7 a.m., just as the sun was rising.

By the second night, we were family.

By the second night, we were family.

Sunday morning…Sunday morning was rough. We lingered in bed for most of the day watching television, keeping in mind that our REAL night out was approaching fast.

Mostly, I did not make it.

We headed to George Street at around 9 to watch Junos on George, but by that point, we didn’t even need our tickets. We were a little annoyed until we realized the ticket was our admission to all the bars. We watched some of the Junos on the big screens set up along the street, then headed to Christian’s for the Screech In ceremony.

The scene on George

The scene on George

The Screech In ceremony is a bit controversial for some (and I’ll explain more about it later in a separate blog post), but it’s basically a ceremony where you say a bunch of Newfie stuff, take a shot of Screech rum, eat some bologna, and then you’re sworn in. It’s a lot of fun and a big laugh, plus I have some sweet videos to share with you later.

Honourary Newfies.

Honourary Newfies.

Finally, we headed to O’Reilly’s for some sweet Irish jiggin’. I lasted about 20 minutes before I had to head home and crawl into bed, but my body was destroyed anyway.

What a weekend. What an amazing group of people, what fun! The indulgence was a little overboard, but you know what? I don’t even care. I needed an unplugged weekend to blow off steam, and it turned out fantastic.

We weren’t the only ones to indulge either — I’ve heard rumors that some pubs ran out of beer. True story.

And I guarantee that if you make it to St. John’s, you’ll receive the same treatment.

Cheers!

  • April 21 2010

    What is a touton? and caesars?!?

    • April 22 2010

      (Refer to Cailin’s comment for Caesars…Canadian equivalent of the Bloody Mary?!)

      Toutons are fried bread dough with maple syrup or molasses! SO GOOD.

  • April 21 2010

    ya, what is a touton????
    caesar is the best drink ever! mmmmmmmmmmmm
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesar_%28cocktail%29
    made with clamato (clam juice + tomato juice) juice instead of just tomato juice! vodka, horseradish, worcestersire sauce, tabasco, celery salt… mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
    glad you had fun at the Junos!

    • April 22 2010

      Toutons are fried bread dough with maple syrup or molasses…they’re amazing! I’ll take you to get some!

  • April 21 2010

    1. It’s like you’re speaking a different language, yo. Caesar sounds like bloody mary.
    2. Did you meet Celine Dion/Shania Twain/Avril Lavigne/who effing isn’t from Canada?

    • April 22 2010

      Hahahaha, I guess they’re the Canadian equivalent of a Bloody Mary?!

      I didn’t meet anyone famous. :( I was too busy entertaining cute boys. It was worth it.

  • April 22 2010
    maggie

    i’ve never had a touton :(
    glad your weekend was so epicly awesome! :D

    • April 25 2010

      WHAAAT! We must fix this.

      • April 25 2010
        maggie

        yes, please!
        Peter tried once but they had none where we were at :(

  • April 22 2010

    Holy cow, Candice, you certainly know how to entertain guests – If I ever make it up to Newfoundland (and I’m sure someday I will) I want to go out on the town with you and your friends! :)

    • April 25 2010

      Oh it will DEFINITELY happen! I guarantee that you will love it.

  • April 23 2010

    Hair of the dog is good as long as it doesn’t turn into a full on visit to the dog pound.

  • April 23 2010

    Yum, I love toutons. My mother used to make them. In Nova Scotia (or at least in our house) they were called “Geese”. I have made myself hungry for some. Bread dough might be the order of the day here!

    I love Newfoundland. I remember doing the screech ceremony. Lots of fun!

    I hope you’re feeling better!

    • April 25 2010

      Thanks Nancie! I didn’t realize Nova Scotia had a similar delicacy. Geese eh?

  • April 24 2010
    meg

    ohhh, that weekend sounds so much fun!
    i love caesars.
    i’m intrigued by the screech cememony thing…especially the bologna part. that seems so random. hmmm. I look forward to that blog post!!

    • April 25 2010

      Hehehe bologna, the Newfoundland steak…yeah, it’s quite the event. I will do a post soon! And if you ever make it here, we’ll Screech you in too. ;)

  • April 24 2010

    Hair of the dog Bloody Mary’s are the best. Especially with olives. Sounds like Caesars are almost the same. :)

    Really want to try those toutons…

    • April 25 2010

      SO GOOD. And Bloody Mary’s with olives?! That’s something I haven’t trid yet…

  • April 25 2010

    I spent ~5 days in St. John’s last year or the year before. I often tell people it’s one of the best places in the world to go for a drink, even if you’re alone. I was there with business, showed up with one older gent and within minutes we were “in the mix”.

    Ahhh good old George street, I even “kissed de cod”

    • April 25 2010

      I’m so glad you enjoyed your experience! It’s a fantastic place for a night out, especially for such a small city. Da cod is great, isn’t it?

      • April 25 2010

        Definitely did, almost missed an AGM the next morning but apart from that, nothing but great things to say ;)

  • April 26 2010

    Yall rock it hardcore. Word up. Sounds like it was a blast!

    • April 27 2010

      Crazy hardcore! My poor liver…

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