Sunday, January 10, 2010

OK, Now It's Cold!

For the past few days, the wind chill temperature has been hovering between minus 47 and minus 50. This is the first time since I moved to Nunavut that my coat and snow pants have not felt warm enough. We actually had indoor recess today and yesterday (a rare event). The good news is that the sun will be rising for the first time on January 19. Apparently the time between sunrise and sunset on that day is 48 minutes. We will celebrate Sun Day in school next Friday.
We are getting back into the swing of things here after Christmas break. I have been acting as Vice-Principal since we got back, so very busy and trying to take care of everything regarding my move. My flight to Resolute is booked for Saturday, January 30. I have to fly to Iqaluit first, wait there for three hours and then fly north. I'm pleased that the journey can be done in one day (if the weather cooperates). This would be in contrast to our trip back from Christmas break. That was a true tour of the arctic. On day one we flew from Ottawa to Montreal to Kuujuaq to Iqaluit. Then it was claim luggage and stay overnight at hotels in Iqaluit. The next morning we went from Iqaluit to Pangnirtung to Qikiqtarjuaq to Clyde River. The flight in and out of Pang was pretty scary. Coming in those wing tips looked very close to the mountains and coming out there is apparently a cross wind between the mountain peaks and given the amount of screaming on the plane I was sure we were done for. Needless to say, I was happy to be back home in Clyde. The scenery, though, was amazing. Difficult to photograph, but here are a few of my attempts.
I have just two more weekends to get packed for the move. The government of Nunavut is organizing my move, but I need to pack myself as there is no moving company here. Instead, they ship up boxes and other supplies by air from Iqaluit and when I'm ready to go a local person will get everything to the airport to be shipped to Resolute. I am very excited about going, but dread moving.

6 comments:

  1. Hi, It's me Paula. Save trip and keep us posted. I think 2 Tiverton residents, Silas and Sako are in Resolute.

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  2. Hi Paula,
    Great to hear from you! Drop me an e-mail. I've lost your address,
    Deb

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  3. I've been following your blog for a little while, hehe,, but I would like to know how to celebrate a Sun Day, because every day is a Sun Day down here (unless it rains, of course...) :)))) I'm just curious, I've seen some pictures of it at the Qarmartalik School blog, but we want your own view, right mate??? Congrats on your new position at Resolute and a good trip!!!

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  4. tuning in from pang here...

    i've always loved the flight in and out of pang; the mountains do make it crazy! i actually live in one of the places the plane dips over. i swear, it seems like i could throw a rock and hit one - they're so low!

    sun festival for us this friday; i think they've already constructed all the igloos across the fjord, and now it's just a waiting game. details to be placed on my blog this weekend.

    have fun in resolute; sounds exciting!

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  5. Hi Deb,
    I've just found your blog in the process of researching what communities to visit late May. It's a wonderful blog and if I stop by Resolute I will look you up. I am an artist and my web site is www.barbarasutherland.com
    I know one of the first air pilots and so my husband and I will be flying with him. Thanks for sharing your life. Barbara

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  6. Hi
    Been reading your blog. Great. Been researching teaching up North and there are awesome blogs on life up in Nunavut but few address teaching and how it works with housing, getting there, the schools, curriculum, etc. I anxiously await your 2nd part of Teaching. Would love to email you if possible. My email is dardel05@hotmail.com. Regards,
    Darlene

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