Sleeping in Hotels 101

Sleeping in hotels this trip has been a bit rough... I wouldn't say that I was a 'picky' sleeper but lately well I've just had a rough time.  Sunday night I was TOO hot and couldn't sleep and was up trying to adjust the heat in my room--finally just opened the window-- that sure cooled things down.  Monday night, it was the hallway light that kept me awake, and quite possibly the paper thin walls and sneezing of the lady beside me.  And last night, well let me just say I have composed a few letters to let you know how great that sleep was.  It was almost like I had a newborn baby I had to feed every 2 hours... I went to bed around 9:30pm(early I know but it's been a crazy few nights of sleeping--in a different bed each night!) I was awoken 3 different times--and I was lucky to be able to fall back asleep each time... but without further ado... here are my letters....


Dear Group of People exiting the elevator at midnight;

Thanks for exiting the elevator and talking in hushed voices.  I'm glad that you had a great night--and didn't linger in the hall! I appreciated that. Your muffled voices were kind of like a lullaby and at first I thought I was late for work--but it was a pleasant surprise to see it was only midnight and I went back to sleep!

Dear Man and Woman talking outside my door around 2am;

Wow, when I heard your voices I literally thought you were both in my room, at 2:04am when you awoke me. After I woke up more fully I found it quite amusing about your discussion.  No cheating on your partners while in Iqaluit probably won't lead to marital bliss.  When he said, "No one will know...I have the perfect cover-- I was helping a friend." I should have yelled, "YES!! I WILL KNOW and I will tell your respective wife and husband-- go to your OWN beds and get the HECK away from my door". Instead I just listened to the debate--- to the woman--way to stick to your guns and turn down a man... hope that worked out for you.

Dear Crazy Lady that called my room at 4:07am;

I'm sorry your man was not in my room.  I told you the first time you called that you had the wrong phone number.  I should have known if there was a man in my room let alone in my bed.  I did not appreciate the 2nd phone call 10mins later or the names you called me.  Please check your number before you call next time! 


I'm looking forward getting a good night's sleep tonight....so far Cape Dorset is looking good for that!

Kimmirut...and more adventures in flying...

Today at my lunch time before my flight I was able to get a drive 'around' Kimmirut... to be able to take some photos!  Don the manager at the Co-op, where the hotel is situated above the store was also the cook while I had my short stay in Kimmirut!  It was fun to drive 'out' of town and see some of the scenery..so different from Pang, but so gorgeous still!

That cruise ship that arrived in Pang on Sunday(didn't blog about it)...where people from the cruise took photos of me, my friend and her daughter--ok soooo we were all on my friend's Honda (with her daughter) and my backpacked tied down to the front...perhaps I should have gotten them to take a photo with my camera? I honestly don't think about how to get from point A to point B...but a ride... without having to walk and carry my backpack... well that's a good thing in my book!! :) Well it arrived in Kimmirut just as I was leaving... and town filled with SOOOO many people.. and well it's heading to Cape Dorset-- So I've decided it's stalking me.... I think some day when I'm old and grey-- I will take a cruise like that and say... I remember the days when I use to live up here... I was a SUPER STAR! (or something as equally as cheesey as that!)

It was a fairly windy day in Kimmirut.  The weather has turned--and was COLD!! Hard to believe that it's only the end of September--my body is telling me like it's closer to the end of November (by 'southern' temps!)

The rocks are sooooooooo cool in colour!  had to take a 'close-up'! :)

.....this shows part of the road.... just a random shot from the air!

Here is the shot of Kimmirut from the air!... that BIG ship is just a tiny spec!!

Enjoy the shots from the air! And some other random shots----today I got to sit as close to the cockpit as I could... and really wish I knew what all those knobs and gadgets did! (flying lessons?--who knows..maybe?)

I was totally psyched to get this shot...and even the 'crazy' no smoking/wear your seat belt sign...came out the way it was! After I took this.. he turned around and said "you know I'm not that photogentic!" hmmm interesting eh?

And here are the pilots after my flight--just a quick 'snap' didn't even get it in focus..but strangely that doesn't make me sad! 

I could totally get use to this life of flying!!

Yep that's right... I think I'm hooked... if only I could get use to sleeping in new 'hotel' beds every night!

Flying with the Milk, Eggs and Cheese.....

This morning I had another first experience... travelling on a 'twin otter'... and it was a fun experience... I must admit I'm not so much of a fan of small aircraft--but I think this morning's flight has changed this!   Walking out to the plane I was like.. that thing is TINY..it looked like a baby plane compared to the planes that usually fly up to Pang!  Then they opened up the door and all six of us climbed inside...and the pilot stood outside and told us that the flight would take approx 35mins, the skies looked good..there were 4 exits for us to use in case of emergency and there was a 'security' briefing if we wanted to see it in the seat pocket in front of us....oh and keep your seat belts on the whole flight!...then he said, "I'm closing you in so I can go get this plane started and the heat on"... (which I was kind of grateful for because it was chilly this morning in Iqaluit!)...I kind of wished that it was a clearer view of the pilots(look very closely in the photo with the milk, eggs and cheese you'll see their hands)--because I kind of wished I could fly...maybe that can be my next occupation!? it was kind of weird to seeeeeeee the pilots turning knobs and buttons etc....through the whole flight and at one point when the pilot turned around to give us the THUMBS up (to make sure we were ok?I guess..but if we weren't I'm not sure what he could have done to help us out!? lol)  We flew above the clouds..but for part of the short flight you could see the land underneath us....I am always struck at how beautiful the land is...and how lucky I am to be able to travel around and see it!  Then we flew above the clouds...and out my window I could see a rainbow--the photo isn't that clear--but it was a pretty cool site! All in all it was a great flight..smooth and not so bumpy....and .....I must say that the milk, cheese, and eggs also arrived safely in Kimmirut too!! PS. (if you want to see where Kimmirut is...click on the map on the top of the side bar)

Ahoy, me mateys!!

Ahoy, me mateys. Don't be forgettin' that this day is Talk Like a Pirate Day!!

I've always had a deep affinity to pirates-I think that's because I worked at this summer camp and it too had a deep affinity to pirates...there was even a song that was made up about being pirates...the chorus' made up of 'inside' jokes of things that happened that summer that only staff would know about...and now the whole idea seems silly..but alas there is something deep down inside of me that wants to always be a pirate!

Aye - that's right! So, Drink up, me hearties! Arrrrrr. shiver me timders....I'm off to swab me' decks...and fill up on some grub...

..Coming to a Community near you....

The next few weeks or should I say two months--are going to be busy!  Part of my job allows me to travel and visit other communities...so in the coming weeks I'm going to be doing a lot of travel-which I'm pretty excited about-this is one of the things I've been looking forward to since I started my job. I love meeting new people, sharing stories, seeing new things and of course I am always up for an adventure or two! 

I'm visiting Kimmirut at the begining of next week and then Cape Dorset at the end of the week with a few nights in Iqaluit inbetween!  So if you live in any of those places and want to show someone around that has her camera attached to her hip...or just say 'hi' outside of blogger land...

...leave me comment on this post or drop me an email at newbieinthenorth@live.ca

In the quiet of the night.........

Tonight I was on the phone with my friend Tara and I mentioned how at work today people were talking about how cool the Northern Lights were last night.  I casually said, we should look out our windows...so we did... and ended up walking and posing and taking heaps of photos! (We were back at my house at midnight--but had started taking shots shortly after 10:30ish I think!?) This is my second attempt--and I must admit I have lots to learn...but still got some great images...and can't wait for the next time I head out! 

Tara and I posed for numerous 'shots' with the dancing lights... but often ended up laughing or moving half way through-it's tough to hold your breath! 

All the lights are from 'downtown' Pang....and the lights just sort of hovered above the fjord. This was my fav shot from the evening.

They changed directions, patterns before our eyes... but this 'S' shape stayed for awhile...kind of looked like it was writing my name!

Our last and final attempt at a 'decent' shot together--I love how you can see the STARS so clearly!

Tonight I was reminded yet again...of what an amazing place I live in... and how truly blessed I am to experience life in the Arctic.

Definitely not Pad Thai.....

One of the things I miss is really good THAI. The summer I was finishing my MA at Ryerson University I think I lived off take out from Salad King. This was the Thai place that was across the street from our Grad Lounge (where I went to work to actually FINISH my papers--it was a really good plan actually). For most of July and the beginning of August I ate Pad Thai, Spicy Seafood and other wonderful choices off the menu. Often having 'lunch' and 'dinner' by pre-ordering and then going to pick it up 20mins later. I think I have the Salad King to thank for for keeping me 'sane' by keeping me FED through that time period of my life. Hmmmmm where was this blog going? oh yes! One of the things I MISS is Thai.... awhile back I was cruising the aisles of the Northern with my friend Kim... and she said.."you have to try this" (exhibit A: at the right hand side). Last night in honour of my 6 month anniversary in the north I cooked it up! Stir frying the chicken, adding an egg, a can of bean sprouts (not as tasty as fresh ones), and then for the veggies... well I threw in a "Japanese" mix of frozen veg.... I also picked up some "rice" noodles-- (from Thailand) with NO cooking instructions on them--but apparently boiling water.. and dunking them in for 2-3mins works.... I added it all together, stirred and well held my breathe. I looked at it.. and well it didn't look like Pad Thai (from Salad King or the Green Mango) BUT it wasn't HORRIBLE...or bad----just different.

(NOTE: I just realized for someone that claims she can't cook--I've posted a lot of things about cooking lately... hmmmmm perhaps that's something I'll have to think about!!)