As a transplanted Dutch girl, I became a Newfoundland Canadian a few decades ago and have appreciated all the beautiful scenery our province has to offer. Hiking was a favourite pastime of mine, which treated me with discoveries. Whenever we had visitors, I enjoyed the chance to go on hikes with them.When my two sisters visited here for the first time from the Netherlands, they acknowledged that I belonged here. I felt so honoured!
One hike I took them on was beyond historic Cupids, where you could conveniently  park your car. The walking trail goes to the deserted community of Burnt Head, where the scenic path along the shore leads to “the Arches”. It was so pristine and no soul to be seen, or so we thought, until we came to this wonderful waterfall, with a few picnic tables along the path.

Lo and behold, we found ourselves in paradise!

On a rock surrounded by a pool of water, we found Eve sitting on her haunches, her clothes beyond reach, trying to protect her dignity with Adam helplessly nearby. They also thought they were alone in the world.

Eve exclaiming:  “Oh, I am so embarrassed!”

Quickly I tried to ease her anxiety by saying, “Don’t worry…. we see this in Holland all the time!”

To make that sound credible, my sisters and I immediately continued talking Dutch for Eve to hear it.

It might have sounded double Dutch to her, but I sensed a relief.
“Phew,  they don’t know me, they’ve come from away!”

– Lidy Vokey
Spaniard’s Bay, NL