Yep...more flowers

Flowers, lots of flowers!

The tundra in the summer is beautiful!! Everywhere you look there are tiny flowers covering the ground in large patches. They look so delicate, and totally contrary to what you would expect to find in a harsh environment like this. The season is short so they appear quickly, and I'm told that they will disappear nearly as fast. I am thoroughly enjoying it while it lasts!

Midnight in Iqaluit

I just wanted to quickly post this - another beautiful sunset, as dark as it gets here these days.

Arctic Circus

Iqaluit is in the middle of Alianait - an annual arts festival. It features music and performing arts from within the territory, and beyond. It all takes place in a large, cheerful purple and yellow tent that's been set up in the parking lot of the elementary school. Each night has a general theme, like Hip Hop & Rock night which took place on Friday. Yesterday was circus day, and I went to the evening show - it was so much fun! There is a circus troupe, Artcirq, that is based out of Igloolik, one of the small communities in Nunavut. When I first heard about the arctic circus, I thought it was a pretty random concept, but since I learned about how and why it was created I find it pretty inspiring. You can check out their website for more details: http://www.artcirq.org/, but the short version is that it was created as a way to try to give youth a sense of pride and direction in a community where substance abuse, violence, and suicide claim the lives of so many young people.



The show last night was a collaboration between Artcirq and an African/Francophone group called Productions Kalabante. It was an amazing show that included traditional Inuit activities, like throat singing, with acrobatics, juggling and live music. It was incredibly eclectic - at one point there were Inuk and African performers wearing Hawaiian shirts and grass skirts doing stunts on a large hammock, beside a sign that said "Nunavut in 50 years" - a nod to the global warming that is already having effects on the area. All in all a great show!!

Sunset....sort of

I've had a busy couple weeks since I've been back. This photo was taken two weeks ago at about 11:30 pm - the sunset was gorgeous, and it only got a little bit darker that evening. For a few weeks now it has not gotten completely dark at night, and the nights are still getting brighter. It is strange to leave somewhere (like the Legion!) and know that it's the middle of the night, but to see that it's still light out.

There's some sadness at the hospital these days too, as one of the best-loved permanent doctors here is moving to Edmonton to join the surgical residency program at the University of Alberta Hospital. There has been a few farewell celebrations, which will probably continue until he steps on the plane tomorrow. So if any of you in Edmonton are getting your gallbladder removed, and run into Dr. Saba.....say hi to him for me!!!

Back to the grind...

My trip back to Nunavut was long, but mostly uneventful which was nice. One of my suitcases - the one carrying all of my clothes and quite a few groceries - did not make it to Iqaluit at the same time as I did. This caused a little bit of anxiety (my favorite jeans were in there!) but it was short-lived as I got it the next day. Now I have my favorite clothes AND my favorite foods!

I was a bit curious to return to work and see how things had gone since I'd left - as those of you who know me well know that I can be a TEENY bit obsessive compulsive about some things :0) Things were fine though, and it was nice to go to the hospital and be thoroughly welcomed back by almost everyone I saw - good feeling!

This photo is from when I landed back in Iqaluit. The runway here is huge, and can accommodate very large aircraft, but the airport itself is quite small. Apparently the colour was chosen for it's visibility...go figure. The little grey tunnel on the right hand side (ultrasound left!!) is where you walk into when you get off the plane.

Wedding in Waterton

I am taking a short break from the north to bask in the Alberta sunshine. I spent the last three days in the stunning surroundings of Waterton Lakes National Park to join in the wedding celebrations of Jenn and Matt. It was beautiful from start to finish and tonnes of fun - made possible, in part, because they may be the most easy-going, yet organized couple I know!!

I'm also taking advantage of the opportunity to wear my only pair of shorts that aren't in storage! It's wonderful to feel grass under my toes and sit in the shade of a tree. I know it hasn't been THAT long since I've done that (mid-February in Christchurch, to be exact), but I still missed it. I have to say though, that I'm really looking forward to seeing the arctic tundra in bloom in the summer. From what I've been told I just have to wait for the snow to melt, then get through the season of massive mosquito swarms!