Travel Meeting the locals A highlight of our trip to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon was chatting with the friendly residents and learning about their way of life. “I feel as if I’mhalf-French and half-Canadian,” divulged one woman. “We eat French food as well as Kraft Dinner. You won’t find that in France!” As we strolled through the village of Miquelon, past grazing sheep and horses and boats parked in backyards, we encountered a fisherman salting capelin. “I mix one handful of capelin with one handful of salt in the bucket. After I dry the salted fish on racks for two days, I smoke them,” he said. “They’re very delicious to eat.’’ He explained that fishing isn’t as good nowadays as it was when he started fishing at the age of 13. “There’s not much cod anymore, but we still harvest lobster, crab, scallops and halibut, as well as capelin.” Another great way to meet people is at local festivals, ranging from the July 14th Bastille Day to the Basque Festival in August. During the celebrations, you can learn about Basque ball games such as pelota, tap your feet to the lively local music and watch demonstrations of traditional folk dancing. Best of all, you don’t have to cross the Atlantic to do it. Resources For brochures, maps and more information, visit Tourism Saint-Pierre and Miquelon at www.spm-tourisme.fr/1/ Barb & Ron Kroll publish the trip-planning website www.KrollTravel.com Fisherman views salted capelin on rack Grazing sheep in Miquelon village Fiddlers and accordionist play lively music Traditional folk dancing CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 23
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