Toutons - a traditional Newfoundland breakfast food. Traditional Newfoundland and Labrador breakfast of Toutons achieved. Turns out they are basically bread dough, deep fried (or pan fried depending on your preference) and sprinkled with sugar. You eat them with molasses. Some people eat them with butter and syrup. They have the texture of an apple fritter - but without the apple and spices obviously. They are really good and I don't usually like molasses. I would highly recommend them - but maybe not for everyday eating. People here love them a lot. The dough is sold everywhere. Toutons are a big deal.
Of course after a breakfast of fried bread I needed to do some serious walking. I wanted to find the library, the mall, and maybe the sushi place (even though it doesn't open until 5:00 pm). The sidewalks around here are a little hard to come by. Not the fault of Labrador City. They did make some. They've just had an incredibly harsh winter and there are huge icy mountains every twenty feet or so. Luckily, although the drivers go pretty fast, they do slow down when they pass you on the road. Still, it was more than a little sloppy out there. It rained last night and snowed part of the morning, but by 11:00 it was grey but not too cold.
Of course after a breakfast of fried bread I needed to do some serious walking. I wanted to find the library, the mall, and maybe the sushi place (even though it doesn't open until 5:00 pm). The sidewalks around here are a little hard to come by. Not the fault of Labrador City. They did make some. They've just had an incredibly harsh winter and there are huge icy mountains every twenty feet or so. Luckily, although the drivers go pretty fast, they do slow down when they pass you on the road. Still, it was more than a little sloppy out there. It rained last night and snowed part of the morning, but by 11:00 it was grey but not too cold.
Rain outside the window last night.
The Carol Inn, where I am staying.
Jordan's Family Restaurant, makers of excellent touton.
So out I trekked. It took me a few minutes to get my bearings, but after that I was off. I found the Labrador City youth centre, the fire hall, and the library right off the bat.
I tried to use my "Smart" phone to navigate my way to the Labrador Mall of shopping and ended up overshooting it. But I saw some cool things along the way. There really is no downside to getting lost for a bit.
Finally I made it to the mall. There was a long line of cars going through the drive through to Tim Hortons. Inside the mall was packed - which is why I didn't take pictures. I saw some of the kids I taught yesterday. It's really the hub of the community. They have a Walmart, Canadian Tire, Sports Check, a couple of restaurants, clothing shops, jewelry stores, and a Co-op. I grabbed a sandwich, banana, and sparkling juice from the Co-op for lunch. I didn't feel like sitting down just yet. I also managed to cut my finger on the plastic sandwich container and proceeded to bleed everywhere because I left my band-aids back at the Inn. At least it wasn't a mortal wound.
Then I was off again to see what else I could find.
Funny story, I passed a playground zone which had a speed reader to let the cars know how fast they were going. If they were going over 40 km/h the sign went red. When I walked by it read my speed too. 5 km/h. I don't think I'll be getting a ticket. I was well within the law. I thanked the sign for letting me know my current speed. I wonder what Sonic clocks in at?
Then I was off again to see what else I could find.
Funny story, I passed a playground zone which had a speed reader to let the cars know how fast they were going. If they were going over 40 km/h the sign went red. When I walked by it read my speed too. 5 km/h. I don't think I'll be getting a ticket. I was well within the law. I thanked the sign for letting me know my current speed. I wonder what Sonic clocks in at?
I bought a sticker and a collectible spoon at Jubbers corner store. They sell everything from Touton dough, French milk, snacks, groceries, tourist stuff, fireworks, toiletries, clothing (tourist type), slushies, ice cream, and black bear licences. I'm assuming that's to shoot the black bear and not to keep one for a pet. Though it would be totally awesome if it were actually a pet licence. Can you imagine all the people in Labrador City walking around with their black bears on leashes? How rad would that be? Of course they would be walking down Viking Street.
After all that I went to see if I could make it to Sushi Lab on foot. It's a sushi restaurant opened by a guy from Toronto. It's supposed to be good. Unfortunately, after the MacDonalds, the sidewalk ends and I would have to walk on the side of a highway, over a bridge to get to the part of town it is in. That plan seemed a bit sketchy so I headed back to my room instead.
Now, my muddy and soggy pants are washed and hanging to dry and I've reverted to pajamas for the time being. I may yet take a cab over to Sushi Lab or, I might just grab something a little closer and curl up with some anime or do some writing. I'm kind of worn out. I was walking for three hours while exploring this amazing place. It was really fun. I'm kind of sad I'm leaving tomorrow. Though I'm sure Churchill will be just as awesome!
On a total side note - Calgary Reads is hosting Reading Town and my RIO kids' writing club is a part of it, under the umbrella of the Alexandra Writers' Centre Society, of course. You can read the first story of the seven which will be tweeted out each day of the week long celebration. Just click the link here:
https://twitter.com/CalgaryReads/status/594569641378328576
Now, my muddy and soggy pants are washed and hanging to dry and I've reverted to pajamas for the time being. I may yet take a cab over to Sushi Lab or, I might just grab something a little closer and curl up with some anime or do some writing. I'm kind of worn out. I was walking for three hours while exploring this amazing place. It was really fun. I'm kind of sad I'm leaving tomorrow. Though I'm sure Churchill will be just as awesome!
On a total side note - Calgary Reads is hosting Reading Town and my RIO kids' writing club is a part of it, under the umbrella of the Alexandra Writers' Centre Society, of course. You can read the first story of the seven which will be tweeted out each day of the week long celebration. Just click the link here:
https://twitter.com/CalgaryReads/status/594569641378328576
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