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Visit to province tainted by bad experience

Published on October 29, 2012
Published on October 29, 2012
Topics :
Newfoundland , Manitoba , Twillingate

I recently had the pleasure of visiting your province for the first time. I am from the centre of the country — Manitoba, so I travelled a long time and a great distance.

Newfoundland is beautiful. I was lucky enough to be travelling with a native of the province and she took me on a grand tour all around the land.

We visited Gros Morne and hiked, we went to Mistaken Point and I saw incredible fossils and enjoyed a day of kayaking, we went to Twillingate and I watched some late-season whales and dolphins. The trip was wonderful — except.

Lost cellphone

When I first arrived we took a taxi from the airport to our first night’s destination. While in the cab, I placed my cellphone on my lap, and when I exited the cab I realized I had forgotten my phone. A quick search revealed that the phone was not on the ground and so we called the cab company so I could retrieve my phone.

The taxi driver returned and claimed I should check his van and that he did not have the phone. As he indicated he had not picked up any other fares, I can only conclude that this was a lie and that he had found and kept the phone.

His dishonesty cost me over $1,000, but the real cost was to my enjoyment of Newfoundland. The province is amazing, but my view is forever closured by the deceit of that driver.

Barb Johnson

Winnipeg, Man.

Comments

  • Username
    S
    - October 30, 2012 at 19:10:42

    Seriously ... Why did The Telegram even give her the time of day?! I'm pretty sure there are more interesting current news to ink ... er, like for example, Hurricane Sandy. I wonder if this lady was even on the island .... maybe just another of her tall tales :)

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  • Username
    Andrew
    - October 30, 2012 at 18:09:58

    I once bought a copy of JAWS on bluray, from A guy in Manitoba, on EBay. It was advertised as brand new, yet it was scratched to bits when I received it, and obviously used. Having said that, I also bought a Bluray of Weekend at Bernies, also on eBay, this time from a fellow Newfoundlander. Based on this information, I can conclude Manitoba is a Terrible province filled with con artists and swindlers. I reccomend everyone stay away, and never visit there. Hopefully these mainlanders all learn to be decent people, like my fellow eBay Newfie.

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  • Username
    Mike L
    - October 30, 2012 at 15:31:09

    Maybe you should pay more attention to your personal belongings. I've had a celll phone for years and have yet to lose it. Take care of your gear and this won't happen.

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  • Username
    Really
    - October 30, 2012 at 13:16:57

    Just a thought......ever wonder what would happen if it was dropped out around one of the bays small communities instead of the big city of St. Johns ? Shame to blame the Taxi Driver but just look at the dishonesty and crime in St. Johns on an everyday basis ..................

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  • Username
    LA
    - October 30, 2012 at 10:00:17

    Wow. I find it amazing that this person has placed full blame on the taxi driver. It was said in the article that the phone was placed in her lap and then she realized it was left in the cab. Chances are if it was in her lap, it fell on the ground as she exited the cab. She has no proof that the cab driver stole it and to make that assumption and then let that one experience ruin her opinion of an entire province! What a closed minded, not to mention ignorant, person. Newfoundland is a beautiful province and has some of the nicest people on earth. Yes, like anywhere, even Manitoba where this lady resides, it has it's exceptions, but this story is based entirely on assumption and holds no credibility. Perhaps had the lady been slightly more careful over her personal belongings, she would still approve of NL. Her "logic" is laughable.

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  • Username
    Frank
    - October 30, 2012 at 09:33:12

    Maybe she is related to Walt Wawra

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  • Username
    AND
    - October 29, 2012 at 21:03:24

    It's pretty awful to outwardly blame the cab driver for stealing a cell phone when there was no solid proof, and he also wouldn't have had any use for I anyway!!!!!! That's pretty rude - next time maybe you should look after your expensive "things" a little more closely!!!!

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  • Username
    Jacklyn Adams
    - October 29, 2012 at 20:06:53

    it is a pretty big assumption, and even if someone did steal it, don't let the actions of one douche rocket taint your entire view of Newfoundlanders. And its pretty sad that people are saying "mainlanders this...." and "Newfoundlanders that..." I say Ottawa does not need much help to conquer and divide people.....they do just fine all by themselves. What is true is that they make everyone, mainlanders and newfoundlanders, seem like total xenophobes.

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  • Username
    Richard Spencer
    - October 29, 2012 at 14:03:09

    Another entitled main-lander who would lose her head if it wasn't attached to her shoulders. Know the type. Screw up and blame someone else

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    • Username
      Frank
      - October 29, 2012 at 20:39:25

      Yes, but if the shoe was on the other foot, you'd be telling every single person you know about dishonest, no-good mainlanders; who stole your phone & how such a thing would never happen in good ole', streets paved with gold, Newfoundland.

    • Username
      david
      - October 30, 2012 at 13:12:21

      Touche, Frank. Undeniably true.

  • Username
    JayNine
    - October 29, 2012 at 13:42:10

    There are many other possibilities that the writer did not consider. For example, she may have dropped it outside as she exited the cab where it was picked up by a third party who then turned it over to the police. She would have no knowledge that it was at the police station unless she called to check. Years ago I found a clutch downtown that had valuables and an ID in it. When I contacted the police to turn it in I was told that they would not contact the girl who lost it but would place it in their lost and found incase she called them. I had to drive to her residence and give it to her directly to make sure she got it. Not easy as a carless university student. It is unfortunate that this lady lost her phone but also that she publicly blamed the driver with no proof at all.

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  • Username
    Skeptical Cynic
    - October 29, 2012 at 13:06:24

    Not sure what the letter-writer is getting at, however, I think it's a safe bet that there are plenty of individuals in Winnipeg Manitoba who would steal more than just the lady's cell phone from her. On another note, I can't understand why the cabbie would even be motivated to steal a cell phone... it's no good to him.

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  • Username
    David
    - October 29, 2012 at 12:08:32

    What a bizarre tale from an apparently strange person. Tourism has its downside...

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  • Username
    mainlanders
    - October 29, 2012 at 11:55:56

    why would this paper print this drivel; did she know her cell phone number; phone it; the phone should ring; and presto; maybe it is lost down in between the seat somewhere; or lost in you purse or luggage bag; chirst mainlanders; what can u do with em; just smile and carry on with your day; this letter is laughable

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  • Username
    Thanks for the tourist dollars
    - October 29, 2012 at 11:42:52

    That's a huge assumption to make. Someone could have easily picked it up out of the back seat a fare or two after you. Even if he did steal it, show me one cabbie in any other city that wouldn't have done the same any more than one would here. Friggen mainlanders. Haven't got a clue.

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  • Username
    R Skinner
    - October 29, 2012 at 11:22:06

    Not sure where to start. First, you write that you had a wonderful time. The scenery and the enjoyment factor was pleasurable. Next you tell us about a single event at the end of your trip (I am assuming you were going to the airport to take the flight home). Then you accuse the cab driver (who may or may not be complicit) of stealing the cell phone that you lost of stealing (not my place to decide, rather the police or the cab company to decide). Then you write off your entire trip to Newfoundland based on your assumption that the cabby (a lone person) stole your overly-expensive cell phone? If it takes just that to sour your view of the ENTIRE province, then I am saddened, but alas, your portrayal of the province (before and after the loss of your cell phone), indicates to me that all of the sights, sounds, people that you may have met or seen during your trip does not hold a candle up to the supposed actions of one person. That's a mighty big paintbrush you are using....let's hope the next time you take a trip, you leave all of your valuables behind, or the next place will also be 'tainted'.

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  • Username
    Anna
    - October 29, 2012 at 09:30:19

    We are all aware that Manitoba is a great distance from Newfoundland. I can't understand the purpose of your letter, you had a wonderful trip but lost your cell phone which can happen to anyone anywhere. To blame the taxi driver and write a letter to the paper editor about it is so immature I had to read your letter twice to see if I missed anything.

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  • Username
    John Smith
    - October 29, 2012 at 09:21:02

    Maybe the phone fell out of the cab as you got out...there are several possibilities besides the driver being a theif....

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  • Username
    t
    - October 29, 2012 at 09:18:48

    That's a pretty big assumption, automatically blaming the cab driver for stealing, due to your own negligence. If he'd been devious enough to steal your phone and lie about it, he'd have said he had other fares since then, who may have taken it. Cell phones aren't such a big deal anymore. The income is generaged from airtime used, not the phones themselves, every ten year old has one. It is unfortunate that you lost your phone, but it's your own fault for not taking care of it.

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    • Username
      John Maidment
      - October 30, 2012 at 20:11:57

      Absolutely agree that the driver had nothing to gain by saying he had not picked up any fares after this letter writer exited his cab. It would have been a wonderful alibi for him and easy enough to make up. Here in LA the cab driver immediately returned with my cell phone when I realized it was missing. Just called the company and he made it back to the airport, and met me INSIDE the ticketing area ! Am sure this isn't typical of LA cab drivers. If, and it is a big if', this cabbie stole her phone, it is a reflection of him not the province. More importantly, does anyone have a cel phone to sell this lady for just $1000.

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