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| BIGS strawberries |
Well, as the calendar page was turned, I’m now able to say
that I’ve worked in the high arctic every month of the year. Although I’ve been
working in Nunavut / Northwest Territories for five years, I have managed to
not be here in August. It's actually a much better month than July as the bugs have left and...why wouldn't they? This morning the temperature was 1c and it has warmed up to a balmy 5c at present. It was really windy and cold last evening and I'm thinking that the clerk and group traveling with her are feeling the nip. They headed out on a camping, two day 4wheeler trip to the other side of Banks Island. When I asked if they were taking one of those 'big white tents' the ones they use for camps she said "no, a Cabela tent" which I assume means a regular one we'd take to Kedge. Apparently one of the group won it at July 1st festivities. Before heading out the clerk gave me a tour of the greenhouse (Banks Island Greenhouse Society or BIGS) which is sporting a nice crop including what I'd guess are the most northerly strawberries grown in Canda.
After a lovely Saturday spent with both grandchildren (thanks to the generous hosting of the daughter's inlaws) at the lake and getting an ice cream - the memories will have to be supplemented with photos for some weeks now - I shopped for and packed groceries then had a rather uneventful trip in, which is just the way I like the commute to go. The shore captain dropped me at the airport by 5 am and texted that he was home before the plane took off meaning the two and a half hour return trip had gone smoothly. I managed the check in, security (thank you Nexus) and Tim Hortons breakfast in good time and napped on the WestJet direct to Edmonton flight, until woken by one of the under age three screamers on board. The luggage was delayed by about 45 minutes at the terminal but did arrive at least and I promptly stored my action packer, took the shuttle to the airport hotel, checked in and stored my duffle in the FRIDGE NOT FREEZER as I told the clerk three times, she being the one who had put it in the freezer in May. Grabbed some lunch, took a stroll through the industrial park/airport hotels (am convinced that no one in Alberta walks) and thus got some strange looks, took a short nap, read, got situated for the morning, supper and a glass of wine, soak in the tub and an early bedtime.
So early apparently that I woke up at 4:30 well before the alarm and so took the 5 am shuttle over to the terminal, retrieved the action packer and got in line. Smooth check in (clerk from Inuvik so she actually knew where Sachs Harbour was) again thank you Nexus, through security and down to the gate. Bit of a delay on the ground but finally off to Yellowknife - in the middle seat between two giants, not impressed with the travel clerk's booking plan! Yellowknife with a delay while someone chased birds off the runway for us and on to the service stop in Norman Wells.
Unfortunately I developed painful ears / sinuses with the landing in Norman Wells and I say unfortunately because I still had five landings / takeoffs to go from there. Finally got some space on the 45 minute hop over to Inuvik. Discovered that Matt the Mechanic was on the flight - his dreadlocks were the giveaway, although at first I'd thought it was a toenail in one of the dreads, when he napped and I was able to examine it closer it appears to be a piece of muskox horn. And no I didn't let him tell me any ayahuasca tales, he was busy reading his Eckhart Tolle book anyway. The north does attract some 'interesting' folks....The seat in front of me was occupied by (according to the embroidery on his ball cap) Gilbert Thrasher Jr from Paulatuk who informed someone he knew across the aisle and two rows back that he'd been medevaced out to Yellowknife a few days ago. I braced for him to describe some mental health issue or perhaps something really personal but...he apparently had an appendectomy and all was well. Whew.
Arrived to find that Aklak Air had delayed the flight and were 'watching the weather in Sachs Harbour' although the nurses on the ground there said it was a beautiful day. An Aklak plane finally arrived which appeared to contain a charter of 18 tourists (the pilots took the extra seats out after the passengers deplaned as it's all about the freight into northern communities). The tourists were met by a local Inuk (who promptly put away his iPhone and acted more authentic) and escorted off to Tundra North Tours which sounded to me like a pricey way to spend the day (as in $800 for a day tour):
Although all of the fit seniors looked pretty pumped to be in the 'real north' and headed off eagerly. The Canadian North flight south was slightly delayed as the RCMP awaited a prisoner to escort, a first nation lad who trotted up the stairs two at a time with his wrists cuffed in front of him. Our flight had a Sheriff traveling in with a prisoner as well. Unfortunately that is also the 'real north'.
When I was checking in, one of the ground crew walked by looking at my luggage and said to the clerk "did you tell her no excess going in today?" At only $210.32 it was the cheapest excess baggage receipt I've had in the past two years, but of course I'd packed
appropriately to leave one bag 'on the other side' if needed. Cooled my heels (as my food warmed) for three hours before we finally took off. It was (of course) a glorious day to fly over. I suspect the delay had more to do with the charter and schedule than nature. The pack ice was visible in the Beaufort Sea and it truly is a beauty of a place to work. And...all my luggage made it with me. I visited with the nurse I was replacing who is heading over to Tuktoyaktuk for ten days then headed down to the health centre. Felt about 90 years old by then with temporary deafness, headache and stiff neck. The joys of a fly in workplace.
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| pack ice in the Beaufort Sea |
Checking out the neighbouring community Buy n Sell site and found along with the ads for pifi (dried char) and requests for folks to 'carry across' gifts of country food to family members in other communities this post ......Bri and I wanted to make cheese cake but we're short one egg. Anyone has an egg? Lol can replace with cheese cake when it's done. The reply was......come get one at Dad's....another post offered ...$20 a load of bread (assume it's similar to a loaf) $20 a bag of buns $5 a dozen of home made sugar cookies and $20 for the whole lemon pie. Getting up to speed with the northern living.
Speaking of shopping I've been doing some online shopping (to be delivered to the teacher daughter) some of it for the immediately after work trip. For example, according to my Lonely Planet guide book research...visiting monasteries in the Cyclades requires covered shoulders and...no miniskirts, shorts or trousers, which only leaves a maxi skirt to be thrown in the day bag for such situations. The t-shirt which reads "I'm a Mom and a Nurse You Can't Scare Me" will be for at home wear (nurses do not want to be recognized when traveling). A new braided charging cord - those things wear forever my roommate states - a necessity for the digital traveler and I found something called a monkey mat which folds into a 6 x 6" pouch and is touted as easy clean for sand etc. because who wants to take their microfibre travel towel to the beach?
Of course everything must fit into my already packed (weighing in at 18 lb) knapsack which includes the necessities of life for six weeks ferry hoping in the Greek islands. The travel partner will take my bag to the city with him when I arrive from work to meet him. And although we're heading towards the Mediterranean vacation, we're also roughing out the details of a winter in warmer climes. Beginning with a New Years cruise out of Miami then heading to Argentina to spend a couple of weeks vacationing with our Argentine friends, then off to explore Chile (perhaps Easter Island and the Atacama desert) before heading home end of February. So far, through a cooperative effort, the airfares and cruise are booked.The travel partner is working on accommodation in Bariloche and Villa la Angostura (nearer to Chile so the flights are through Santiago de Chile) and keeps researching South American bus schedules. Yes I have forbidden him to drive in the Andes, nuff said. No plans to get into the details until we're home in November but picking up better prices a few months ahead of time on the transportation.
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| tundra flowers |
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| view on my walk |
I've managed to get a couple of walks in. The first an abbreviated version with my roommate in tow whining and only continuing with the promise of scones as a reward (and yes I did honour my bribe) and a second brisker jaunt on my own the following evening. I'm on call today so tomorrow will be hike day, we took a run in the vehicle to check out the community and discovered the RCMP plane leaving the airport. Surely the back story to that event will come out in such a small place.
The first week of my rotation (hard to believe that I started out a week ago) has been (mercifully) sedate. Some medical travel issues due to full flights, minor walk in ailments (when the nurse's cold is worse than yours it doesn't lead to a long visit) bladder infections, muscle strains and a hangover. Leaving time to check the crash cart and delivery room - hoping to not use either of those - order stock drugs, read the policy updates etc.
Have been crafting a bit. Finished the throw I was working on and have received lots of positive feedback which is good for my ego. Everything from a request to sell (I'll do one for you when I get home) to entering it in the exhibition (that reply included a map of my present location) and lots of praise. It is cozy, made from Mary Maxim yarn and although it's called 'summer breeze throw' it's come in handy this weekend with the chilly temperatures. Have a couple of balls left over which will make nice soft hats. Working on a 'magic' hat at present and the trick will be getting it to the requester in time through Canada Post. Never any shortage of projects when I'm here but it's good to have a deadline so I'll finish them at least.
Next work week, although shorter with the government holiday will be a busier one than this has been. There's an electrician who has come in to replace the electrical entrance while we sleep Monday night and the generator hums so hopefully no glitches with that and we can open Tuesday morning. The Dr is coming over for clinic on Wednesday and Thursday which increases the traffic, tasks and requires us to be social entertainers. These plans, of course, require the fog which has been drifting in and out all week to clear long enough for flights to arrive/depart.
So, enough rambling...back to my crocheting. Stay tuned for a weekly update.
