Arctic Bay

I was originally set to goto Arctic Bay a few weeks ago but was busy with other things here in Iqaluit, but I thought I would share some pictures from one of our techs who did go up.  Pics are curtosy of Frank Reardon and turned out great.  Can't wait to see what he posts from Resolute/Grise.

Last night on the way home I nearly hit a fox with my truck as I was staring at the northern lights.  Driving here is boring, as most roads are 30k/h, and apart from 'rush hour', not many people are out.


Here are a few pictures from Igloolik a friend sent me since I didn't have my camera with me. 

The weather can change so fast here.  We went from +4 yesterday (which was something to celebrate), to a windchill of -15 today.  Almost time for the parka. 

I'm starting to miss fresh vegetables more and more these days.  I filled a bowl of fresh veggies at lunch the other day and everything just tasted...old.  I guess since it is picked in Chile, put on a truck to the nearest port, put on a boat to our coast, put on a truck and driven to Montreal, sits in a warehouse before being loaded on a plane, then sits here for a week here before its sold, I can't expect much.  'Fresh' is an objective term when it comes to produce up here.


Another trip home soon.  Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana 

Hall Beach

After yesterday I felt like I was really getting into the culture up here, feeling like “oh yeah, I’m bad ass, I could hack it up here”

Then today on the way to the school I stopped by an interesting scene.  A walrus was harpooned this morning on the beach just outside my hotel.  They were just pulling it up onto the shore as I came by, and I just had to stop and watch. 

It was amazing and slightly disturbing to watch.  Being a pampered southerner I obviously do not see animals turned into meat too often, so it was a little hard to watch at first.  But something about the way they do it, where 5 or 6 guys just work so systematically and efficiently was so impressive.  They use hooks to pull the internals out, while one guy went right for the penis and carved out the bone from it (a good 3 feet long!).  Another guy went to removing the head, which he placed next to me and asked “are you from green peace?”  I laughed and said no, just watching.  The others cut the other various pieces which all looked like red and grey blocks of goo to me, but they seemed to know exactly where and how to cut, all the while not getting a drop of blood on themselves.  

As steam rose from the open walrus in front of me I realized I have a ways to go still. 

Igloolik

I’m in Hall Beach now after spending 3 nights in Igloolik.  What an amazing trip it was, I really enjoyed it there.  The hotel was pretty standard but the staff was great, and everyone in town was friendly and great to talk with. 

On my second day there I was invited out for dinner by some teachers and just got to hang out and socialize all night.  I’ve been in Iqaluit for 3 months and have yet to be invited anywhere other than wing night at the legion, so it was nice to go out.  It’s just something you don’t get elsewhere. 

The town is just as isolated as anywhere else, but seemed to be doing well.  Tonight there was a concert in town with over 10 bands playing, one of which I heard plays Tragically Hip songs in Inuktitut.  God I wish I could have seen that!

But I have had to move on to the next stop before back to Iqaluit.  I had a later flight and was worried about missing dinner here so I got pizza to go from what was claimed as “the best pizza north of the Arctic Circle”.  Have to say, they are probably right.  Felt a little stupid with a pizza on my lap on the plane, but it was worth it.

Oh, I also brought back a few lbs of Beluga whale (Muktuk).  Had a piece before I left, and it’s actually pretty good.  More fish tasting than cow (which I thought due to the fact a whale is closer related to cows than fish).  Going to try making some Beluga sushi and maybe some whale soup.  

No pictures unfortunately, forgot the camera at home.  Would have had a cool shot of 3 walrus heads drying in the snow.

Last week we had a full satellite outage, which caused all cell phones, internet, bank machines/debit/ and long distance calling to go down for a full day.  All planes were also grounded.  Pretty scary that something like that can happen, as our lives depend on these things.  I can go a day without email, but if I can't buy food, then I am worried.  Thankfully places were taking credit cards on the 'honour system'.  Could you imagine something like that happening for even an hour in downtown Toronto?  I imagine riots would break out.


On Tuesday I fly out to Igloolik for a few days.  It will be my first time above the arctic circle.  It is also a very traditional community, so I am hoping I will get to try a few new things.


Happy Thanksgiving.  Uncle Ben's fried rice for me tonight!

Iqaluit Humane Society

The only Humane Society/Shelter in Nunavut shut down a couple of months ago due to lack of funding.  It is in no way government funded, so it relies on donations, which obviously there was not enough of.

There isn't even a single vet up here.  If you want shots for your dog you have to fly it to Ottawa.  If they put a dog down (which is often now that there is no shelter), they take it to the dump and shoot it.


Right now they are trying to raise money through an insurance company's competition that gives money to the causes with the most votes.  Please take a minute to vote, you can go through facebook or create a quick account.  You can vote once a day for the next 2 weeks.  Its free, and might bring the only shelter back to Nunavut.

http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf11210

October 1st - First day of winter

It feels like it anyway.  Yesterday felt really cold with our first real snowfall.  It didn't stop, and this is what I wake up to.