"What's that smell??"

I figured it was time to include myself in this blog.  We have been happily settling in, and getting to know our new environment.  I have been adjusting to the new office, and find myself making frequent trips back and forth to Karen’s desk asking questions about this and that.  ‘Where do I find…’, ‘Do you know who..’, and ‘How do I get..’ have all become very common in my vernacular.   In typical Newfie style though, my colleagues have taken me on as one of their own already.  I get picked on for my distaste towards coffee.  They find that I ‘can’t sit still’ and rarely partake in their morning coffee breaks in the lunch room.  I have been called ‘OCD’ and ‘anal retentive’ already in the office, so they are obviously adjusting well.  

We share the office with the Dept. of Fisheries, two good Newfie boys who love to hunt and fish.  It makes for some interesting meals at the office.  Where I was accustomed to ‘sticky bun Wednesdays’ and trips to Tim Hortons, it is now replaced with foreign smells of miscellaneous game meats being cooked in the lunch room.   What is that odd, but intriguing smell coming from the lunch room?  The first time it happened I had already found their prize earlier in the morning.  I had been fishing around in the lunch room when I stumbled upon a doubled up grocery bag full of something.  I investigated further, and upon untying the second bag was surprised to see a mound of flesh coloured organs.  ‘Turr Hearts an’ Liver’s B’y’ came from over my shoulder.  ‘We’ll fry em’ up fer lunch an’ have a feed’.   Not my usual lunchtime repas, but I was willing to give it a shot.  I enjoyed them more than I expected, and was even kind enough to bring a few home for Christina!   Turr, for those of you who haven’t heard already, are actually a Murr, a type of salt-water bird that locals go to great lengths to hunt.   

The second time this happened I was more prepared.  I walked into the office and was greeted by a strong smell of cooking.  It was similar to walking into a house on Thanksgiving, the smell permeated through the entire office.  ‘What are you guys cooking this time?’ I said, with some curiosity.  I was in for a real treat, the boys were cooking a full Caribou dinner.  Dinner = Lunch in these parts.  Unlike the Turr Hearts and Livers, the Caribou came complimented with corn, mashed potatoes, gravy and even stuffing.   This was more my style, and after stuffing myself to the gills I made sure I set a plate aside for the missus.  Surely, she would be up for trying some of the local delicacy that is Caribou.  Again she turned her nose up, but I am working on her.  Hopefully, with time, she will break down and start sampling some of the local dishes.  

I enjoy seeing the local soccer team on the field every day when I go to work.  They are dedicated, and show up in great numbers for their ‘practice’.  The Fogo Island Puffins,  or ‘dinner’ as some might call them.