Photo Credit: Leo Reynolds on Flickr

North America is divided into nine distinct time zones. Like most everywhere on the planet, they are all synchronized within one hour increments of GMT. Except one: Newfoundland Time. As the easternmost point on the continent, Newfoundland will always lead North Americans into a new day. But all 500 million of the rest of us would have to do an about face to actually follow that lead, because Newfoundlanders pivot 180 degrees from the standard. You see, when it's 6am in Mexico City... 7am in New York.... and 8am in Halifax... Newfie clocks read 8:30. Yes, eight-thirty.

There's no scientific reason for it. In fact, I read that at one point Canada tried to bring Newfie Time into conformity with the rest of the Atlantic provinces, but the people of "The Rock" just didn't want to. Why would they? Newfoundlanders don't see it as arse foremost (backwards) to be different — they whole-heartedly embrace it.

If you know any Newfies, you'll probably agree: A unique time zone is somehow fitting for their unique point of view. Surviving such long, aching winters in a place so stunningly beautiful must just accentuate the tragic comedy of life, because Newfies are not afraid to laugh. In my experience, those who observe Newfoundland Time also have an unparalleled knack for observing the absurd. I could be wrong about this observation of my own... but I thinks da's why dey don't mind a'tall dat as da world listens the drumbeat of time... dey're collectively clapping on the downbeat.

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