Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Lots of updates tonight. I have a ton of pictures I hadn't posted so figured tonight was the night to do it. The wind is blowing and I can't take my friend Saber out for a walk...so might as well sit in front of the computer and entertain you.
Parking Problems
With the coming of spring and summer the problem of where to park your skidoo arises. During the winter it is easy to pull up outside your front door. In the spring when the snow is gone in town it is harder to find a place to leave the skidoo and it isn't a good idea to take your skidoo over gravol, so most people end up parking down on the water front (ice front) at this time of year. (It isn't a good idea to take it over gravel either)
Like father, like son
The skidoo on the right is child sized. Kids as young as 4 and 5 can drive skidoos. While their parent's don't usually let them out on their own or to go beyond the yard it isn't unusual to see child sized skidoos parked beside the bigger ones...so cute.
Of course I feel a little inadequate that a 5 year old can drive a skidoo and I can't. Well, I'm sure I could, but haven't had the opportunity yet. I figure I should learn how to be a passenger before I learn to be a driver.
Found this down on the beach. I'm curious as to why it was left behind. Normally an animal wouldn't be allowed to go to waste. Maybe someone had left it there and was coming back later to get it for their dogs. I'm not sure.
Lots of kamatiks
All different shapes and sizes.
Parking Lot
This photo was taken the day after the fishing derby. I thought it looked like a parking lot or sorts. It reminded me of the picture I took of the bike parking garage in Amsterdam. It goes well with my door knob collection....oh the weird things I photograph.
With the coming of spring and summer the problem of where to park your skidoo arises. During the winter it is easy to pull up outside your front door. In the spring when the snow is gone in town it is harder to find a place to leave the skidoo and it isn't a good idea to take your skidoo over gravol, so most people end up parking down on the water front (ice front) at this time of year. (It isn't a good idea to take it over gravel either)
Like father, like son
The skidoo on the right is child sized. Kids as young as 4 and 5 can drive skidoos. While their parent's don't usually let them out on their own or to go beyond the yard it isn't unusual to see child sized skidoos parked beside the bigger ones...so cute.
Of course I feel a little inadequate that a 5 year old can drive a skidoo and I can't. Well, I'm sure I could, but haven't had the opportunity yet. I figure I should learn how to be a passenger before I learn to be a driver.
Found this down on the beach. I'm curious as to why it was left behind. Normally an animal wouldn't be allowed to go to waste. Maybe someone had left it there and was coming back later to get it for their dogs. I'm not sure.
Lots of kamatiks
All different shapes and sizes.
Parking Lot
This photo was taken the day after the fishing derby. I thought it looked like a parking lot or sorts. It reminded me of the picture I took of the bike parking garage in Amsterdam. It goes well with my door knob collection....oh the weird things I photograph.
Water
Fill'er up!
Water is delivered by truck to each house. The trucks run 7 days a week and generally you are put on a schedule for delivery. If you run out of water you just call and the stop by to fill up the tank. The tank in my unit is inthe 'basement'. I have no idea how many gallons or litres the tank holds, but it is pretty big. About 3 feet tall, and 10 feet long and maybe 10 feet deep. Approximately.
I get a bill from the Hamlet every month for my water and garbage. Garbage pick up is $30 a month and water runs me around $10. Yes, it is highly subsidized. I had 2,504.80 litres delivered in April and the rate is 0.0485 cents per litre. So the full cost is $121.48 and the subsidy is $113.97...the minimum charge for water is $10...so, my bill every month so far has been $10.
The trucks make the trek all day up to the reservoir to fill up. Notice how much insulation is in the pipe. Keep in mind the temps drop to -30 for a good part of the year here, so the ability to pump water out all year round is a good thing. I have no idea how deep the reservoir is or how they keep the water from freezing. The ice in the Fiord is over 7 feet thick in the winter, so I can only imagine how deep the reservoir must be to enable a town of 1500 to have water all year.
The reservoir is a popular spot for walking.
Reservoir
The water is treated and it tastes as bad as any city down south. Yuck. What does taste delicious though is the water coming down from the hills. You can drink any running water in Nunavut without needing to treat it. So water is never an issue when out on the land. My friend Nancy told me a couple of months ago how good the water tastes in the spring...like the earth. And, she's right. The water has this dirt, fresh, mossy, rocky taste about it. That might not sound appetizing, but trust me, the cool rich tasting water is delicious.
Mmmm, earth water.
Fill'er up!
Water is delivered by truck to each house. The trucks run 7 days a week and generally you are put on a schedule for delivery. If you run out of water you just call and the stop by to fill up the tank. The tank in my unit is inthe 'basement'. I have no idea how many gallons or litres the tank holds, but it is pretty big. About 3 feet tall, and 10 feet long and maybe 10 feet deep. Approximately.
I get a bill from the Hamlet every month for my water and garbage. Garbage pick up is $30 a month and water runs me around $10. Yes, it is highly subsidized. I had 2,504.80 litres delivered in April and the rate is 0.0485 cents per litre. So the full cost is $121.48 and the subsidy is $113.97...the minimum charge for water is $10...so, my bill every month so far has been $10.
The trucks make the trek all day up to the reservoir to fill up. Notice how much insulation is in the pipe. Keep in mind the temps drop to -30 for a good part of the year here, so the ability to pump water out all year round is a good thing. I have no idea how deep the reservoir is or how they keep the water from freezing. The ice in the Fiord is over 7 feet thick in the winter, so I can only imagine how deep the reservoir must be to enable a town of 1500 to have water all year.
The reservoir is a popular spot for walking.
Reservoir
The water is treated and it tastes as bad as any city down south. Yuck. What does taste delicious though is the water coming down from the hills. You can drink any running water in Nunavut without needing to treat it. So water is never an issue when out on the land. My friend Nancy told me a couple of months ago how good the water tastes in the spring...like the earth. And, she's right. The water has this dirt, fresh, mossy, rocky taste about it. That might not sound appetizing, but trust me, the cool rich tasting water is delicious.
Mmmm, earth water.
Vegetation
Ok, I'll be the first to admit the majority of these pics aren't great...the light is too bright in a lot of cases...but no matter what time of day there tends to be a good amount of light. I continue to seek tips on taking better pics, but for now you can at least see some of what I see. Remember, click on the photo to get a bigger image.
"trees"
Well, there really are no trees...I live above the tree line! But these willow trees manage to cling to life. They don't grow tall, the simply grow out. Think of them like bonsai trees.
Upclose trees...pussy willows
Pussywillows
These willow catkins (pussy willows) are all over the place. Apparently the hairs of the pussy willow are transparent, conducting sunlight down the hair shaft to the catkin body, warming it several degrees above air tempature which gives the plant a spurt in the short growing season up North.
seaweed
high tide mark
colourful seaweed
The seaweed is very colourful and I can't wait to see the rest of the beach. The tides here are apparently quite dramatic....look out Fundy, I'm gonna put Pang tides on the map!
moss? lichen? stuff on the rocks.
Can you tell I have a science degree? Maybe I should have paid more attention in class, but I'm not really sure what this is, but it is pretty. There is also lots of black too....in fact any rock that has been around for a while has the black moss/lichen/stuff on it.
If you see a pile of rocks that are bare it means they are new rocks and have probably fallen or broken off the mountain.
vegetation
left over from last year
Not sure what this is, but it looked kinda pretty. Like freeze dried flowers.
Buttercups
Yep, buttercups. They are so pretty...and such a contrast to all the reds, browns and blacks around.
Ok, I'll be the first to admit the majority of these pics aren't great...the light is too bright in a lot of cases...but no matter what time of day there tends to be a good amount of light. I continue to seek tips on taking better pics, but for now you can at least see some of what I see. Remember, click on the photo to get a bigger image.
"trees"
Well, there really are no trees...I live above the tree line! But these willow trees manage to cling to life. They don't grow tall, the simply grow out. Think of them like bonsai trees.
Upclose trees...pussy willows
Pussywillows
These willow catkins (pussy willows) are all over the place. Apparently the hairs of the pussy willow are transparent, conducting sunlight down the hair shaft to the catkin body, warming it several degrees above air tempature which gives the plant a spurt in the short growing season up North.
seaweed
high tide mark
colourful seaweed
The seaweed is very colourful and I can't wait to see the rest of the beach. The tides here are apparently quite dramatic....look out Fundy, I'm gonna put Pang tides on the map!
moss? lichen? stuff on the rocks.
Can you tell I have a science degree? Maybe I should have paid more attention in class, but I'm not really sure what this is, but it is pretty. There is also lots of black too....in fact any rock that has been around for a while has the black moss/lichen/stuff on it.
If you see a pile of rocks that are bare it means they are new rocks and have probably fallen or broken off the mountain.
vegetation
left over from last year
Not sure what this is, but it looked kinda pretty. Like freeze dried flowers.
Buttercups
Yep, buttercups. They are so pretty...and such a contrast to all the reds, browns and blacks around.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
On May 19th I had the opportunity to join in an IQ event for the Nurses in Pangnirtung. IQ is Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. IQ is basically the knowledge of Inuit language, communities, culture, and land. The GN encourages departments to have IQ events to keep Inuit culture in the work place.
The hut
This is the hut where the IQ event was held. It is based on the sod huts that the Inuit lived in during the '50's. Basically it is a wooden framed structure covered by canvas, tarps or other water proof materials. This hut has two areas, the front area is more a storage area while the second part (where the camo tarp begins) is the living area. The hut is probably 20 - 25 feet in length.
Inside the hut the walls are papered with old newspapers and other paper found/scrounged from around town. This helps to insulate the hut and the light coloured paper helps to reflect light making the almost windowless building brighter.
Outer entrance
Inside the storage area looking towards the outer door. On either side of the door are harnesses from the dog team. Also stored in this area are gas cans, hunting items and spare parts for the skidoo. This section of the hut is not lined in papers and is not heated.
Inner door
From the storage area looking at the door leading into the living section. The door is wooden frame covered in caribou to keep the cold air out. The next picture is a close up of the door frame, it too is covered in caribou, the two layers ensure that the warm air from the living area does not escape and the cold air from the storage area or porch does not get into the living area.
Caribou lining
When you enter the living quarters you find a 'u' shape. The 'u' is actually higher than the floor. This gives a place to sit, keeps the sleeping area off the floor as well. With year round perma-frost it is important to have insulation of some kind between you and the ground. There are no chairs in the hut, the raised platforms act of seating. To the immediate left is the cooking area. Food stuffs are stored on the platform and shelves in the wall. Cooking is done on a Coleman stove and heat is provided by a kerosene heater. The Coleman stove and kerosene heater are not traditional.
Food area
Coleman stove and kerosene heater
The right side of the U is storage and right inside the door is washroom facilities behind a curtain, this is mainly for night time usage. At the bottom of the U is the sleeping quarters. In this particular hut there is sleeping space for 10 people.
Sleeping Quarters
The traditional method of heat and light in the huts would be a special lamp. Made out of stone, the lamp is half moon shaped and is shallowed out in the centre. The lamp is filled with seal oil and some sort of wicking material. The wick is lined up at the edge of the lamp and continually draws the oil in. The lamps provide heat and light within the hut.
Lighting the lamp. Seal oil, used for heat and light.
Tea
A well placed hook over the lamp provides enough heat to boil water for tea.
Bannock
Nothing goes better with tea, than bannock. This isn't the bannock my grandmother used to make, but is similar in nature. Instead of baking the bannock in the oven it appears to be deep fried. Yummy.
Local historian
This is the man who lead the IQ session. He doesn't speak English, so his sister did the interpretation for us. We learned about his life growing up out on the land and then moving into Pang. He enjoys learning the old ways and tries to speak with the elders to learn more of his heritage.
Learning to hunt seals.
Part of our lesson was learning how to hunt for seals before rifels.
Mens knitting needle
This is a mens knitting needle for making and repairing nets used for fishing. We didn't get a demonstration, so I'm not exactly sure how it works, but I'm sure someone from down home must know.
It was a very interesting way to spend a couple of hours and I'm glad I had the opportunity to take part.
The hut
This is the hut where the IQ event was held. It is based on the sod huts that the Inuit lived in during the '50's. Basically it is a wooden framed structure covered by canvas, tarps or other water proof materials. This hut has two areas, the front area is more a storage area while the second part (where the camo tarp begins) is the living area. The hut is probably 20 - 25 feet in length.
Inside the hut the walls are papered with old newspapers and other paper found/scrounged from around town. This helps to insulate the hut and the light coloured paper helps to reflect light making the almost windowless building brighter.
Outer entrance
Inside the storage area looking towards the outer door. On either side of the door are harnesses from the dog team. Also stored in this area are gas cans, hunting items and spare parts for the skidoo. This section of the hut is not lined in papers and is not heated.
Inner door
From the storage area looking at the door leading into the living section. The door is wooden frame covered in caribou to keep the cold air out. The next picture is a close up of the door frame, it too is covered in caribou, the two layers ensure that the warm air from the living area does not escape and the cold air from the storage area or porch does not get into the living area.
Caribou lining
When you enter the living quarters you find a 'u' shape. The 'u' is actually higher than the floor. This gives a place to sit, keeps the sleeping area off the floor as well. With year round perma-frost it is important to have insulation of some kind between you and the ground. There are no chairs in the hut, the raised platforms act of seating. To the immediate left is the cooking area. Food stuffs are stored on the platform and shelves in the wall. Cooking is done on a Coleman stove and heat is provided by a kerosene heater. The Coleman stove and kerosene heater are not traditional.
Food area
Coleman stove and kerosene heater
The right side of the U is storage and right inside the door is washroom facilities behind a curtain, this is mainly for night time usage. At the bottom of the U is the sleeping quarters. In this particular hut there is sleeping space for 10 people.
Sleeping Quarters
The traditional method of heat and light in the huts would be a special lamp. Made out of stone, the lamp is half moon shaped and is shallowed out in the centre. The lamp is filled with seal oil and some sort of wicking material. The wick is lined up at the edge of the lamp and continually draws the oil in. The lamps provide heat and light within the hut.
Lighting the lamp. Seal oil, used for heat and light.
Tea
A well placed hook over the lamp provides enough heat to boil water for tea.
Bannock
Nothing goes better with tea, than bannock. This isn't the bannock my grandmother used to make, but is similar in nature. Instead of baking the bannock in the oven it appears to be deep fried. Yummy.
Local historian
This is the man who lead the IQ session. He doesn't speak English, so his sister did the interpretation for us. We learned about his life growing up out on the land and then moving into Pang. He enjoys learning the old ways and tries to speak with the elders to learn more of his heritage.
Learning to hunt seals.
Part of our lesson was learning how to hunt for seals before rifels.
Mens knitting needle
This is a mens knitting needle for making and repairing nets used for fishing. We didn't get a demonstration, so I'm not exactly sure how it works, but I'm sure someone from down home must know.
It was a very interesting way to spend a couple of hours and I'm glad I had the opportunity to take part.
Friday, May 26, 2006
We're having a party!
Group shot of some of the folks who attended my graduation party Wednesday night. It was probably the most multi-cultural event ever held in Pang. We had Inuit, Indians (as in India), Philipines, Scotland, Ontario and East Coast Canada represented. We had fiddle, clarinet, spoons and flute in one room and dancing to '90's music in the other.
A good time was had by all. It was the best way to celebrate having achieved my masters....surrounded by friends and co-workers.
Thanks to all who came and thanks to all who sent best wishes.
Monday, May 22, 2006
I blame Laura Ingalls Wilder and Ayla. (Clan of the Cave Bear). I blame them for this feeling I get when walking around town...trying to become one with nature. Today, I walked the hills and felt the movement of moss and plants floating below my shoes, and relished the feeling of the rocks that are set just far apart enough to make me work for each landing. The air smells of moss and dirt and there is a new moisture in the air that will evaporate soon with the last of the snow and be replaced by the dryness of the dessert in which I live. My senses were alive this afternoon as Saber (a beautiful and very well behaved black lab that I am dog-sitting), and I climbed the hill above our homes. I could feel the moss below my feet, smell the dirt that has recently been uncovered, being able to see the shape of the ground around me without snow is a new and exciting exploration, and hearing the rushing sound of the water that is quickly becoming a much larger river with each day is exhilirating.
So I blame "Little House on the Prarie" and "Clan of the Cave Bear" for instilling a curiosity in me that can not be quenched. A curiosity to know what each rock is that I climb, to know and identify each plant around me and to taste the water rushing down the hill. I also want to catch a tarmagin and fill it with grains and seeds found around me...ala Ayla...but wouldn't have a clue how to do it. I also blame the pioneering spirit of these women for my thoughts that I could pitch a tent and live off the land for a period of time on my own...when in reality I was in a mood the past two days because my hot water heater was broken. Showering in a cold glacier stream may not in reality be my idea of a good time.
Vegetation is abundant and yet rare at the same time up here, so I feel a little guilty about picking a small branch this afternoon. Honestly I couldn't help myself pussy willows....yes, pussy willows. I picked the smallest of branches and will cherish it for the miracle it seemed to be.
BTW, I'm having a Convocation Party Wednesday evening....say around 6, 6:30pm. Feel free to stop by. Pot luck, but if you are coming from out of town don't worry about bringing anything. Yes, it is a little anti-climatic considering I finished in late November, but still the 24th is my official graduation day and at some point MUN will mail me a piece of paper that officially states that I have acheived my MEd. And of course with my pending graduation thoughts of the next program are running through my head, my dream program is finacially out of reach, but I'm still searching. If anyone knows of a great Doctorate or phD program that I could do via distance for under $25,000 please let me know! I'm anxious to hit the books again...and I only have 7 more years to finish.
So I blame "Little House on the Prarie" and "Clan of the Cave Bear" for instilling a curiosity in me that can not be quenched. A curiosity to know what each rock is that I climb, to know and identify each plant around me and to taste the water rushing down the hill. I also want to catch a tarmagin and fill it with grains and seeds found around me...ala Ayla...but wouldn't have a clue how to do it. I also blame the pioneering spirit of these women for my thoughts that I could pitch a tent and live off the land for a period of time on my own...when in reality I was in a mood the past two days because my hot water heater was broken. Showering in a cold glacier stream may not in reality be my idea of a good time.
Vegetation is abundant and yet rare at the same time up here, so I feel a little guilty about picking a small branch this afternoon. Honestly I couldn't help myself pussy willows....yes, pussy willows. I picked the smallest of branches and will cherish it for the miracle it seemed to be.
BTW, I'm having a Convocation Party Wednesday evening....say around 6, 6:30pm. Feel free to stop by. Pot luck, but if you are coming from out of town don't worry about bringing anything. Yes, it is a little anti-climatic considering I finished in late November, but still the 24th is my official graduation day and at some point MUN will mail me a piece of paper that officially states that I have acheived my MEd. And of course with my pending graduation thoughts of the next program are running through my head, my dream program is finacially out of reach, but I'm still searching. If anyone knows of a great Doctorate or phD program that I could do via distance for under $25,000 please let me know! I'm anxious to hit the books again...and I only have 7 more years to finish.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Spring in Iqaluit
I arrived in Iqaluit on May 9 to snow and ice within two days Spring had taken over and the roads were full of potholes, water was running everywhere and I could smell dirt. The town is probably at it's worst right now, the snow that is left around town is covered with dirt and the garbage can be seen in all the ditches. Combine that with the daily opening of new potholes and it seems like a typical Spring thaw in Canada. I couldn't get over the speed with which the snow melted. Everytime I went out I could see differences in the amount left around town.
Potholes galore
This isn't the best example of potholes in Iqaluit, but you get the idea. The holes were everywhere all across the roads with absolutely no way of avoiding them. This picture was taken out my hotel window, looking into the back parking lot.
Ditch patrol
To help with the water problem on the roads and to help prevent wash outs (did I mention that most of the roads in Iqaluit are dirt/gravel, not paved), the town digs small trenches down the side of many of the roads to help divert the water. It works pretty well, but can be a challenge to get over with your car. The ditches do lesson the chance of being splashed by puddles though!
Friday, May 19, 2006
Green things can grow North of 60.
It may seem hard to believe, but I found a greenhouse in Iqaluit. Long term residents of the territory, the greenhouse has been a work in progress for over 10 years...and there is always something blooming. The greenhouse wraps around two sides of the house and contains tomato plants, cactus, grapes, strawberries, geraniums and a huge number of plants that I can't remember the names of.
Yummy grapes...right off the vine, warm and sweet tasting.
It's berry good. Strawberries growing on the vine. There weren't any ripe the day I was there, but a couple of days later I'm told there were a few ripe berries and they were delicious.
Green everywhere I turned. Another incredible journey in Nunavut....and this one was all green, not all white.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Here's the monthly update...
Pangnirtung
Sunrise....2:31am
Sunset....22:08pm...but it doesn't get dark anymore...we have dusk for a few hours.
Charlottetown
Sunrise...5:37am
Sunset....20:41...I'm pretty sure it gets dark.
And here's from the past two months....
Sunshine and me.
"BTW, the sun rise this morning was at 5:32am and sun set was at 5:30pm. In PEI the sun rise was 6:20am and sun set was 6:21pm. So, we are both getting about 12 hours of day light. Let's check back in a month and compare the times." Originally posted March 18, 2006.
Here we are about a month later...let's see who's ahead now.
Pangnirtung: Charlottetown:
Sunrise 4:15am Sunrise 6:14am
Sunset 8:31pm Sunset 8:09pm
Pangnirtung
Sunrise....2:31am
Sunset....22:08pm...but it doesn't get dark anymore...we have dusk for a few hours.
Charlottetown
Sunrise...5:37am
Sunset....20:41...I'm pretty sure it gets dark.
And here's from the past two months....
Sunshine and me.
"BTW, the sun rise this morning was at 5:32am and sun set was at 5:30pm. In PEI the sun rise was 6:20am and sun set was 6:21pm. So, we are both getting about 12 hours of day light. Let's check back in a month and compare the times." Originally posted March 18, 2006.
Here we are about a month later...let's see who's ahead now.
Pangnirtung: Charlottetown:
Sunrise 4:15am Sunrise 6:14am
Sunset 8:31pm Sunset 8:09pm
Monday, May 15, 2006
SHOES!!!
Shoe shopping in Iqaluit
Wonderful glorious shoes!!! I finally gave in and had to go shoe shopping. It's been over four months since I purchased a pair of shoes...that is a new record for me. I have been tempted to buy online, but haven't. Payless, who used to receive a huge portion of my salary, have a website, but you can only order from the US....sigh.
What kind of shoes can you purchase in Iqaluit? Rubber boots of course. I went to the local Northern store and they have a couple of aisles worth of rubber boots...yep, aisles of them. I'm a big of a shoe person and generally style over comfort so the thought of buying a pair of rubber boots seems rather stomach churning. They are big, clunky and green...or black (which does go with everything!), but still, they are rubber boots.
I finally found a few pairs of boots that are more 'me' I bought the plaid pair!
These boots are made for walking. Imagine the looks I will get as a trounce around Pangnirtung in my new boots.
Shoe shopping in Iqaluit
Wonderful glorious shoes!!! I finally gave in and had to go shoe shopping. It's been over four months since I purchased a pair of shoes...that is a new record for me. I have been tempted to buy online, but haven't. Payless, who used to receive a huge portion of my salary, have a website, but you can only order from the US....sigh.
What kind of shoes can you purchase in Iqaluit? Rubber boots of course. I went to the local Northern store and they have a couple of aisles worth of rubber boots...yep, aisles of them. I'm a big of a shoe person and generally style over comfort so the thought of buying a pair of rubber boots seems rather stomach churning. They are big, clunky and green...or black (which does go with everything!), but still, they are rubber boots.
I finally found a few pairs of boots that are more 'me' I bought the plaid pair!
These boots are made for walking. Imagine the looks I will get as a trounce around Pangnirtung in my new boots.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Spring...
Ok, I'm back! Who missed me? Mmmm, you didn't know I was away...and actually I'm not back. I'm in Iqaluit again...11 days this trip. I have no new pictures to add yet, but I will soon....Spring has so definitely arrived in the North. Today in Pang it is 11 degrees. Now, in Iqaluit we are only enjoying +2, but still...it's raining! Yep, pouring....it's awesome.
It has been warm all week actually and everytime I go out I can see a difference in everything....the amount of water, the height of the snow, the number of potholes. For those of you in the Maritimes who think you know potholes...you don't. Trust me. I'll grab a pic and post as soon as I get back, forgot to pack my cable to download photos. (OOPS).
I can only imagine how different Pang is going to look when I get back. There may not be any more skidoo rides out on the land. Which will be very disappointing as I just bought a tent and hope to get a sleeping bag before I head back...and my trip to the Arctic Circle would have to wait until the ice breaks up.
When someone asks me where I'm from I say Pang. And as a number of you know I will be applying for a job here in Iqaluit as soon as they post it, it would suit my personality better than what I am presently doing. While I want to be in Iqaluit for work I want to live in Pang....and commuting is just not possible. The scenery here in Iqaluit has nothing on Pang. I'm sure it is nice too...but it isn't the same.
Oh well. I'm off for Chinese food and to jump in puddles!
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Yes, the map is back.
Out roaming around again on the skidoo last night and thought someone might like to know where I went. We followed the river up and out of Pangnirtung and took a right. We followed along in a valley and finally ended up on the other side of the land point that Pangnirtung is on. In otherwords, we were at the Kingnatt Fiord facing Kekerkerdjuak Island...also known as Broughton Island (I'm not sure if that spelling is correct...but the K one is...go figure!)
At the top of the hill--8pm
Left the house around 8ish and this was one of the first stops we made at the top of the hill. The view in all directions is about the same. I stood on top of this huge rock and took photos in all directions.
Sunset on the hills
The hills take on the colours of the sky, reflecting back the images they see. On the way to Broughton Island, the hills were a beautiful pink and purple but on the way back the same hills were white and the sky was blue. The sun had set and it was still light out.
Broughton Island 10pm
We came up over a hill in the valley and there was Broughton Island, it looked like this incredibly large mountain, but in fact was the entire Island. I let out this quiet...wow...it was amazing. Just down the hill from the Inukshuk was a great place to go camping. I hope I get the chance to come back in the summer and go camping.
Chicken out on the land
Of course Chicken came to Nunavut. He hasn't made many photos but it is pretty cold up here and I am not forking out $ for a Canada Goose parka for him...and besides, I think he would have issues wearing a coat that is filled with down. So Chicken made an appearance last night and is anxiously awaiting his trip to the Arctic Circle. Imagainary line...for my litte stuffed friend.
Midnight in Pangnirtung 12midnight
Spring has arrived in Pangnirtung. No, the snow is not melting, actually today we have a bit of a snow storm on the go...-14 wind chill, winds gusting to 50km/hr and lots of snow. But, this is Spring in the North. No, my brain didn't freeze out on the skidoo, but there are many changes and differences in the air, with the snow and in the sky. When you look at the posts around the house you can see where the snow has melted from around the posts and around the rocks there is more visible ground, even the road isn't completely covered in snow and ice. The snow feels different if that makes sense. It has more moisture in it and lately the humidity hovers around 60%. There are more clouds in the sky, which means a little more snow, but the biggest change is of course the colour of the sky.
It doesn't get dark anymore. Yes the sun still sets and rises, but it never gets completely dark at night and according to Sim that means Spring is here. It is amazing how quickly it came on. Not that long ago there was darkness and now there isn't and there won't be darkness again for a couple of months. It does get darker after the sun goes down, but it is still light enough to see everything even when you are out on the land....no need for a flashlight. In a couple more weeks it really won't even get that much darker.
24 hour daylight...can you imagine? I can now. It is very strange. My internal clock is a little confused. I worked until 8:30pm the other night and had no idea it was that late. The sun was still shining and it seemed more like 4pm than 8pm. I have room darkening curtains up in my bedroom, so once I finally drag myself upstairs to go to bed it is easy to fall asleep. (Well, as easy as it ever has been for me.) The problem is getting tired. With the sun up and shining it seems strange to be getting ready for bed. I'm told that soon I will be sleeping less and that my body will adjust to it and I won't need a lot of sleep.
I am thinking of ordering a sleep mask to wear for when I do get to go camping so that I can simulate darkness...but that won't be for a while yet...hmmm, maybe I'll order the slippers with the fuzzy puff on top that go with the sleep mask...mmmm, shoes.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Into the Fiord
The many moods of the Pangnirtung Fiord. The view into the firod is always changing, I thought it looked really interesting Monday night when I took this photo.
Wharf
My little jaunt Monday night took me to the wharf. I think I was still craving open water and felt the wharf was the best place to feel close to it. Notice how the wharf is just really a dirt (read rock) road. There are larger boulders on the sides of the wharf and the top part is just cruched rocks and dirt. It looks like a dirt road found anywhere except on PEI. I wonder why the wharf doesn't wash away with the tides. I will need to inspect this when the ice is gone. I need to know how you can make a wharf out of dirt.
Up the mountain
I took this photo from the end of the wharf, looking back in towards town. The large hill/mountain in the background...notice how tall it is. I went up that last night. Lucky for me I was on the back of a skidoo. My new friend took me for a little drive. We left at 9pm, seems an odd time to start an outing, but it was still light enough to see everything and really, you wouldn't know it was 9. We went up the hill, zig zagging our way up and following the path that many others in the community use. Following the hill up we went out for a while and then turned around and came back by following the river. It was incredible.
Here's a view of Pangnirtung from the top of the hill before we went farther away from town.
View from the top of the hill
Before we started our trip back down I took one photo over my shoulder at the view that was.
Looking Back
The sides of the valley are so steep and wide I really can't imagine how high the river comes up. We stopped at a couple of different spots and Sim told that people go swimming here or come up to make tea and have a snack. Now I'm a big fan of water and swimming and I've been known to swim when the water is a bit frigid, but I can't see myself swimming in water that is basically run off from a glacier. But that won't stop me from doing it! I can't wait for a nice hot sunny day, going for a hike and enjoying a refreshing swim followed by some hot tea.
I can see the river from my house and according to neighbours, when the snow melts and the river starts running I will hear the rushing water from my kitchen.
Looking down the river towards town.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Saturday's Trip out on the Land
Where I went
I live in Pangnirtung...as most of you know. We took a left out of town and headed towards the Cumberland Sound. See Drum Islands on the left hand side of the graphic. I almost made it there...almost.
Transportation for out on the land...actually, we spent most of the time out on the ice.
Saturday I was lucky enough to have a new friend take me out on the land (ice). We went by ski doo and had the kamatik behind us with extra gas, extra clothes, food, and a gun....just in case. I'm not really used to being around guns, so it was a little odd. Not that I even saw it out of the case, but it was kinda strange. My guide is from Pangnirtung and well versed in the sights around town along with what makes a great picture. Sim had all kinds of information to share with me.
Some of the view
This was the first stop of the day at the end of the Pangnirtung Fiord, just before you enter Cumberland Sound. There are two large hills/mountains side by side at the end of the Fiord called Nasauya Point...Hat Point for those of you who don't speak Inuktuit.
Tide Ice
When the water starts to freeze in the fall, the ice starts to build up and take form. The ice shown here is created when the tide goes in and out and the water builds up on the side of the rocks. You can see it in lots of places around the fiord, but this is one of the most prominent spots. BTW, the ice is very tall, taller then me at least and probably the exposed ice was around 8 feet or so high, about the 'ground'.
Fishing for Halibut
Sim also took me out to see how the fisherman fish for halibut (or turbot as they are often refered too). Turbot are a ground fish, so the line is wound off the winch and lowered to the bottom, the winch helps to haul the line up when it is heavy with fish. Apparently they check it about every 4 - 6 hours. The fish are fileted right out on the ice. Saves time I guess and less clean up back on shore. The ravens and sea gulls clean up the leftovers...so everyone gets a meal. As we got close to this particular fishing hole a flock of sea gulls took flight. As I was trying to hold on to the skidoo I wasn't able to get a picture of the gulls.
Me on the Sound
Here is a picture of me, taken by Sim, out in the middle of the Cumberland Sound. In the distance is open water. We didn't get close to the flow edge as it can be unsafe and there was so much other stuff to see.
Unfortunately, we had some technicial issues shortly after this picture was taken. We ran out of gas, which wasn't a problem as there was extra gas, (brought for just this purpose), in the kamatik. However, the skidoo wouldn't start after re-fueling. It wouldn't start and wouldn't start and wouldn't start. I sort of panicked for a few minutes...trying to gauge how far we were from Drum Islands, how far I could walk before I collapsed or froze to death and really, what was a girl from PEI doing out on the ice in the Arctic? It was a brief moment of panic. Sim had told people where we were going and he had brought all kinds of supplies and equipment for just such a reason, so I knew I wasn't going to freeze to death...After about an hour another person came along and between the two of them got the skidoo going again.
My day on the ice was coming to a close.
Spring Camp
One last stop of the day at the Spring Camp. The junior high and high school students come out at different times in April/May and spend some time out on the land. Hunting, learning about survival and just generally learning more of the traditional ways. I think it is a great idea. We stopped in at the camp which is set up on a hill overlooking the Cumberland Sound and also acts as a secondary route to the fishing lake I was at a few weeks ago. The view from above the camp was fantastic and I would love to go back again sometime.
Spring!
This guy was spending the weekend out at the camp with some of his family and was looking for someone to play catch with.
Where I went
I live in Pangnirtung...as most of you know. We took a left out of town and headed towards the Cumberland Sound. See Drum Islands on the left hand side of the graphic. I almost made it there...almost.
Transportation for out on the land...actually, we spent most of the time out on the ice.
Saturday I was lucky enough to have a new friend take me out on the land (ice). We went by ski doo and had the kamatik behind us with extra gas, extra clothes, food, and a gun....just in case. I'm not really used to being around guns, so it was a little odd. Not that I even saw it out of the case, but it was kinda strange. My guide is from Pangnirtung and well versed in the sights around town along with what makes a great picture. Sim had all kinds of information to share with me.
Some of the view
This was the first stop of the day at the end of the Pangnirtung Fiord, just before you enter Cumberland Sound. There are two large hills/mountains side by side at the end of the Fiord called Nasauya Point...Hat Point for those of you who don't speak Inuktuit.
Tide Ice
When the water starts to freeze in the fall, the ice starts to build up and take form. The ice shown here is created when the tide goes in and out and the water builds up on the side of the rocks. You can see it in lots of places around the fiord, but this is one of the most prominent spots. BTW, the ice is very tall, taller then me at least and probably the exposed ice was around 8 feet or so high, about the 'ground'.
Fishing for Halibut
Sim also took me out to see how the fisherman fish for halibut (or turbot as they are often refered too). Turbot are a ground fish, so the line is wound off the winch and lowered to the bottom, the winch helps to haul the line up when it is heavy with fish. Apparently they check it about every 4 - 6 hours. The fish are fileted right out on the ice. Saves time I guess and less clean up back on shore. The ravens and sea gulls clean up the leftovers...so everyone gets a meal. As we got close to this particular fishing hole a flock of sea gulls took flight. As I was trying to hold on to the skidoo I wasn't able to get a picture of the gulls.
Me on the Sound
Here is a picture of me, taken by Sim, out in the middle of the Cumberland Sound. In the distance is open water. We didn't get close to the flow edge as it can be unsafe and there was so much other stuff to see.
Unfortunately, we had some technicial issues shortly after this picture was taken. We ran out of gas, which wasn't a problem as there was extra gas, (brought for just this purpose), in the kamatik. However, the skidoo wouldn't start after re-fueling. It wouldn't start and wouldn't start and wouldn't start. I sort of panicked for a few minutes...trying to gauge how far we were from Drum Islands, how far I could walk before I collapsed or froze to death and really, what was a girl from PEI doing out on the ice in the Arctic? It was a brief moment of panic. Sim had told people where we were going and he had brought all kinds of supplies and equipment for just such a reason, so I knew I wasn't going to freeze to death...After about an hour another person came along and between the two of them got the skidoo going again.
My day on the ice was coming to a close.
Spring Camp
One last stop of the day at the Spring Camp. The junior high and high school students come out at different times in April/May and spend some time out on the land. Hunting, learning about survival and just generally learning more of the traditional ways. I think it is a great idea. We stopped in at the camp which is set up on a hill overlooking the Cumberland Sound and also acts as a secondary route to the fishing lake I was at a few weeks ago. The view from above the camp was fantastic and I would love to go back again sometime.
Spring!
This guy was spending the weekend out at the camp with some of his family and was looking for someone to play catch with.
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