Weekly Photo Challenge: Kiss

When I saw that the theme of this week’s photo challenge from the Daily Post was “kiss” I almost gouged my eyes out.

You see, I have serious issues with public displays of affection, particularly kissing.  In fact, I dislike them so much, I threatened to not kiss at my own wedding.

So, I considered not participating this week… And then I thought of something more entertaining.

Having lived in Newfoundland for a few years, Patrick and I had an opportunity to be “Screeched In.”

For those of you who are not familiar, there is a tradition in NL that, in order to become an honorary Newfie, you had to participate in a ceremony called being screeched in.  It is quite bizarre and an experience to say the least.

The versions I have been to always involve a funny exaggerated character as the host.  They speak in full Newfoundland accent and old school speech.  The candidates have to eat Newfoundland steak (bologna), drink a shot of screech (ridiculously strong rum that got its name because it was so strong it made people “screeeeeeech”) or a shot of Purity syrup (flavoured sugar solution) and sometimes both depending on who was hosting, followed by stating a traditional phrase, “Indeed I is me old cock and long may your big jib draw”  to answer “is you a Newfoundlander?”  The final step is kissing the cod.  Which, in case you did not know is a real, raw fish.

It seems ridiculous, but it is a cultural experience and a hoot to witness.

These are a few photos from the screech-in Patrick and I were in where we kissed the cod and all that good stuff.

Purity syrup in mugs… Om nom nom.

Patrick kissing the cod.

Have you ever kissed a fish?  Have you participated in a ceremony that might seem odd to outsiders?