From the day I set up from Beijing International Airport till
now, time has passed one month precisely. However I felt that I have left my
home over one year. Can’t imagine, field school nearly draws to the end. I felt
so worried about it when I still in China. I know I do poor English writing,
but I still have to express my feelings by it in blogger. I was nervous when I
was in my home- I just cannot speak English well, what about interview and
investigate local people- I ever thought that quidi vidi people had totally different
ethnical language compared with English and we need translators!… So far, I have
done well. That’s what I feel comfort to myself. That is because of my friendly
and helpful classmates; that is because of conscientious and considerable
teachers; that is because of lovely and self- giving quidi vidi people…
I learned so much in this precious period, not including the
field investigation experiences I have added. I drew first professional
building draft in my life; I interviewed a totally foreigner for me in one
hour; I talked with two Newfoundlanders over 4 hours… As well as joining a banquet
in a heritage building nearly 200 years, dancing and drinking in a wholly
Newfoundland style kitchen party, “screeching” in the Inn of Olde for becoming
a honorary Newfoundlander… Maybe after screechin, I definitely became a
Newfoundlander and had same sentiments with the people and understood them
profoundly. I learned many fishing common sense and knowledge of stage. I let waves
from Atlantic Ocean wet out my pants and shoes when I was bumped till left to
right in Frank’s boat. Right in that moment, I thought the waves would capsize
the boat!
So many precious memories… let me begin with my first
English interviewer Peggy Magnone. She is so kind that she speaks slowly and tries
her best to understand me and response me. To this intelligent and generous old
lady, I don’t know what to say in this moment. Her tears nearly dropped down when
she talked about her hardship period when she was young. I can’t imagine that a
lady so optimistic still owns memories about hardships. I completed my
interview smoothly in the help of the considerate old lady. But she looked so
sad to let us go. I remembered her hardy face when she said goodbye to us- she
even did not dare to look straight to us. I felt her strong sentiments of
sorrow and pity that she knew that we did not belong to her from beginning to
the end. I felt sad these days when I remembered her words and face. She said
that you can come to see me interview or not interview… You can call me
whenever you want… People in quidi vidi are so sentimental that I can’t help laughing
and crying altogether with them.
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Peggy Magnone and I with little Comet- Photographer: John LaDuke |
I interviewed John and Anne the day before yesterday. I know
that Johnny has always waited for someone to interview him- he is so enthusiastic
to field school and he and Anne love us so much. Interview completed as I
imagined same as Peggy, but beyond my imagination was that we chatted nearly 4
hours after interview… From family fairs to political events, we chatted like
old friends. They were so frank that they ask my advice for their private
fairs. And I put myself in their position to the best of my ability to comfort
them. They are so kind people that when I think of them, tears nearly running
down. They trust me rather than I trust them. The trust is what kind of a good
feeling! Today, they gave me a postcard by the hand of Christine. I was shocked
again. Blessing and sentiments are flowing and going on. They taught me be
grateful and be kind to everyone everything.
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Kind John with a smile similar with the meerkat standing in the flowerpot |
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John pretends to be annoyed to Anne's superstitious habit to angel |
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John, Anne and I hold Queen together- Photographer: Christine Blythe |
I have to talk about the Mallard banquet yesterday. The
owner of Mallard Cottage Todd treated all of us in the old heritage building
nearly 200 years. When I stepped into the house, I smelt a familiar flavour of
burning wood. Yes, they burned woods in the original fireplace to make an old
atmosphere. The whole old cottage belonged to us in the 3 hours. It was a bounteous
meal including wine, salad, dish and desserts in exquisite procedures. I can’t
remember the name of main dish… which harbour cod fea? Forgive me. “fi” is a local
term means meal. I was full but dessert came. I was full further but the second
dessert came…… Desserts were composed by two kinds of bread poutine and cream
and blueberry sauce. Totally wonderful experience for me. The cookers and
servers as well as the owner treated us with the utmost cordiality. Thanks a
lot! Mallard Restaurant will open in October. Booming business!
We will return back to classroom from field next week. But the faces of local people and the scenes will be engraved in our mind forever. I deeply felt the love from local people to their hometown- quidi vidi village. And quidi vidi will be our hometown forever.Thank you all again and again and again…
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Elegant Lisa and Adrian who poses a gentleman in Middle Ages |
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A corner of Mallard Cottage Banquet |
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Old fireplace put warmth and feelings to us |
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Delicate tableware with carved pattern |
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Cheers! Everyone! |
(Above photos all were shot by Wang Xuan except the ones illustrated)
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