I have returned to Iqaluit after a nearly 4 week holiday. It was much needed, and turned out fantastic - I spent some time snowboarding in Jasper, then flew to Honduras to soak up some sun (with proper SPF protection, of course!). I was joined by my friend Esther, and we managed to spend 23 straight days together without any major problems - that's a true test of friendship!! It was a trip full of laughs, relaxation, and just the right amount of excitement....
I learned how to dive, and loved it!! I was not sure how it would go, but I had a fantastic instructor to teach me, a gorgeous setting to learn in, and I didn't freak out underwater. That turned out to be my perfect recipe for diving, because I really enjoyed it and am already thinking about when and where I will dive next. (Looking out my window at all of the snow, it seems like a far-off fantasy!!!)
**If you ever find yourself in West End, Roatan, Honduras and your considering going diving I would highly recommend Coconut Tree Divers....ask for Marco!!!**
Before the sun and the sand of Roatan, we spent 5 days snowboarding. As you can tell from the bruise, I spent a fair amount of time falling on my butt. It took me a long time to get back into the rhythm (I hadn't been on a hill in 3 years) and by the time I did I was pretty beat up and discouraged. Luckily I had Esther to cheer me on (she was a superstar on her board) and I ended up having a great time. When I got back to Iqaluit there was a thick layer of powder, and all I could think was "I wish I had my board gear here". I'm taking that as a good sign!
Other highlights of the trip:
-Icewalk in Maligne Canyon, complete with me being able to
crawl into an ice cave intended for children!
-Seeing a wolf
-Seeing Social Code live at a small bar
-River rafting in the jungle
-Seeing a monkey
-Seeing two sea turtles
-Spending as much time as possible in a hammock
So now I'm back to work, back on call, but also back with some great friends and the days are getting longer and longer. Nothing like a holiday to regain some perspective on life... :o)
Another Toonik Tyme, and another igloo building contest has come and gone in Iqaluit. This year I was able to see some of the igloo construction, and then play around in them later. They are really incredible - beautiful, cozy, genius shelters from the elements. The men who built them used varying techniques as they cut blocks from the snow they were standing on, then stacked and shaped them together. Strong enough for a grown man to stand on, windproof, and insulating, the igloo was traditionally used as a seasonal home, an emergency shelter, and a hunting blind. On a sunny day the light filters through the snow so that there's a magical blue glow when you're sitting inside. I've been told that the body heat from a single person can quickly raise the temperature inside a small igloo to a fairly comfortable level.
I have been cruising the 12 kilometers of roadways in Iqaluit since I purchased a vehicle recently. I am the proud owner of a '94 Suzuki Sidekick - and let me tell you, it's pretty sweet!! It has a lot of quirks - neither of the doors close properly, the passenger door lock only works a portion of the time, it has a tape player (which I've yet to test out), it makes some really interesting noises at times...the list goes on and on! But, I have had absolutely no trouble starting it, even when the temperature drops below -40. So as long as the motor is good, I consider the rest 'personality'. Anyone who used to ride in the Ranger with me knows I have a soft spot for vehicles with personality!!
I have returned to Iqaluit after a nearly 4 week holiday. It was much needed, and turned out fantastic - I spent some time snowboarding in Jasper, then flew to Honduras to soak up some sun (with proper SPF protection, of course!). I was joined by my friend Esther, and we managed to spend 23 straight days together without any major problems - that's a true test of friendship!! It was a trip full of laughs, relaxation, and just the right amount of excitement....
I learned how to dive, and loved it!! I was not sure how it would go, but I had a fantastic instructor to teach me, a gorgeous setting to learn in, and I didn't freak out underwater. That turned out to be my perfect recipe for diving, because I really enjoyed it and am already thinking about when and where I will dive next. (Looking out my window at all of the snow, it seems like a far-off fantasy!!!)
Before the sun and the sand of Roatan, we spent 5 days snowboarding. As you can tell from the bruise, I spent a fair amount of time falling on my butt. It took me a long time to get back into the rhythm (I hadn't been on a hill in 3 years) and by the time I did I was pretty beat up and discouraged. Luckily I had Esther to cheer me on (she was a superstar on her board) and I ended up having a great time. When I got back to Iqaluit there was a thick layer of powder, and all I could think was "I wish I had my board gear here". I'm taking that as a good sign!
All in all, I can't believe I've been here for a year already. It has really flown by - lots of work and lots of play. Going through some of my first posts on this blog, it really doesn't seem that long ago that I was marveling at all of the unfamiliar, unique and frustrating ways of life up here. While I do lament how far away from family and friends I am, I do not regret coming here. It has been an incredible adventure so far...