getting frisked for 5 minutes by security at the airport really does suck. Ask me how I know.
My first day in St. John's went really well. I'm tired but not sure if that's because of all the stopping in for beer every time it rained or because of the 6 hours of walking. Maybe both. I spent today walking around the city and talking hockey, beer and art with the locals. The weather was fickle and the light wasn't the greatest for taking photographs, but did I mention the beer?
Tomorrow I'm going to visit the Provincial museum and art gallery called The Rooms. That will be my big deal. I learned today to leave books at home because after 6 hours, they get kind of heavy... I'm travelling light from now on; camera, tripod, money and ID. Below are some photographs from day 1:
Houses overlooking St. John's harbour. This is the first photograph I took and as you'll see, the weather and the light changed very quickly over the course of the day.
Signal Hill overlooking St. John's harbour. I am going to be visting this site in 2 days. First art, then history. It's all about priorities ;)
The entrance into St. John's harbour. I believe it's named The Narrows. I want to go across and get some pictures of the boats before I leave.
A war memorial that overlooks the harbour. There is a very sad song called "The Recruiting Sergeant" about how, when Newfoundland was still a commonwealth nation (before joining Canada) of the British Empire, the city sent it's young men off to war. Almost 1000 men went, only 68 returned. It was a slaughter.
A boat (or is it a ship...?) docked in the harbour. As you can see, I'm slowly working my way up. Did I mention St. John's is insanely hilly?
I believe in this picture I'm standing off to the side of the Provincal courthouse. Patterns will revel themselves.
Proof that there are still some construction workers left in Newfoundland. They don't all work with me in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Downtown St. John's. This photograph is almost a twin of the one on the Wikipedia entry for St. John's, Newfoundland.
hookay...this is where the patterns start emerging. The city has what are called jewel box houses. This set of condos are just the beginning.
More jewel box houses. I'm not sure if this is a gimmick for tourists or just tradition. Mostly all the houses in the main part of the city are painted every colour you can imagine. My favourite of course, were the ones painted black!
I took this picture on the walk back to the Inn I'm staying at. It's dark and moody and 5 minutes after the photograph was taken; it hailed and I was drenched. A bubble bath and more beer drinking soon followed.
Moonflowers on a fence. I liked the contrast so I took the shot.
The ship is called "Le Grande Bleu". I'm not sure what the big deal is about The Big Blue but I know it costs more money than I'll ever make in my life time. This bad girl has a yacht and a speed boat on board. Look closely.
I took a whole series of photographs of this. These men were trying to lift a door from a truck onto the ship. Hilarity ensued especially when the door got stuck. I think the gentleman next to me at Starbucks thought I was crazy because I kept giggling and taking photographs. It truly was funny stuff.
A coffee shop in the wee hours of the morning. I like it because of all the small details everywhere.