Sal, Michelle and I headed out this afternoon to climb the hill above the driving range (which we’d like to try out shortly). May I say, it’s much higher than it looks… steeper… more death-defying… But no match for our hiking skills. With no major mishaps on the way up, it was on to exploring the top. This proved to be disappointing. One path leading to an area of clear-cutting/dirt/bulldozers, and the other path, turned out not to be a path at all. Ah well, at least there was a great view of town.
The wild roses were everywhere (hence all the shots of them below) and reminded us of hibiscus’. Funny how Hawaii and here have something in common…
We followed a different path down and ended up sitting on the beach at Boot Lake for a few minutes. Sal coming up with many interesting questions: ‘If you weren’t a nurse, what would you be?’ and ‘What did you think of this place (Inuvik) before you came up; was it what you thought it would be?’. Michelle surprised us by saying she might be a welder. Interesting that we could see ourselves doing things completely the opposite of our sciencey and compassionate profession.
Today I swam in a small lake…in the Arctic. Hero and I went on a walk down by Jak park to do a little exploring. FULL of bug spray, we set out…and found a lovely little lake. COLD at first (heck, it was cold at the end too, but so refreshing). I didn’t wear bikini bottoms and she forgot her top - so we were half bathing suit/half underwear. Two classy broads. Anyway, after the first dip, we were surprised by a van pulling up with a family inside. Quick scramble to be decent…then off on a second walk (brief intermission running through the woods toward the car to don more bug spray)…and then back to the lake, now deserted. Excellent chance to do the inevitable skinny-dip (so I can say I’ve done it in the Arcric). A tid bit nipply! As mum would say.
At any rate, getting all dolled-up now for a dinner out with the ladies. We have to invent reasons to wear dresses and earrings here…and dinner out at Shivers is the perfect thing. Will post pictures this week.
On our tub ledge, there are bits of soap, broken from yesterday’s used-up bars. These pieces, too small to use, either join up with the new bar or end up slowly dissolving in shower mist and water splashes to form the thick crust of soap scum directly below the stash (that tests my patience, and elbow, every few weeks). Why do I keep them around? Do I hope that they will chum up to the next generation (join forces and fight grime)? Or simply avoid getting my dry fingers soapy?
Problem: I can’t throw them out while in the shower, reach is too far, once out, risk slimy fingers (!) and pre-shower when they’re dry, it never occurs to me to remedy the situation. I only think about them when I’m in the shower and helpless to move them.
Weird.
Half an hour into my pre-night shift nap today I woke up coughing. And as if on cue, every twenty minutes after that, more of the same. DAMN THIS COLD! I swear I will dehydrate by producing this much snot. Picture the guy who drank from the ‘wrong’ holy grail on that Indiana Jones flick.
Probably the worst thing, though, about being unwell is the cabin fever. Maybe most people would be satisfied to sit around all day and watch movies or read books…but all I could think about was getting out of this apartment. Difficult considering I had zero strength. Picture girl collapsed on front steps. There are not enough benches on the way to anywhere in this town to have made that feasible.
To top it off, I was in Northmart this afternoon to get some essentials and noticed the flyer on the door ‘Aboriginal Day June 21′…’Ooo’ I thought, ‘I’ll have to see if I have that day off, I missed it last year’…then ran into a colleague and her kids who asked ‘hey are you going out to enjoy the festivities today?’…what festivities? Seems I lost a few days this week. Wonder if it’s safe to practice nursing tonight on this brain?
Scares me that if I were ever a patient - I’d fail the ‘oriented x 3′ test. (Person, place and time). Mmm feels like summer time-ish? Maybe June? Um…sorry, can’t remember. I think it’s a Saturday though… YA. I can see the documentation now. My normal looks just like a moderate head injury on paper.
So once again, night shift on Aboriginal Day and I miss out on Drum Dancing AGAIN. ONE time I would like to see it live. Poor planning on my part. Oh well. Will have to keep an eye out for the next performance.
Fresh out of the shower the phone rings…it’s Lee…room on plane to Tuk…get a tour…be at airport in 30 mins…takes 15 to get to airport… = MAD DASH.
Made it with time to spare (don’t know if this is a good sign or not…think I am losing my girly attributes in favor of easy, read: fast, style…or lack thereof). Great trip out, lots of sunshine. We all piled into a van with four rows in the back and went on a two hour road trip in Tuktoyuktok. It was OK. There were some things I wanted to see - like the community freezers for one - that we didn’t see. And there was a prolonged time spent atop a windy (FREEZING) hill learning about permafrost and pingos… all in all it was a neat time, glad I did it but likely wouldn’t go back to do it again. Unless we could go into the freezers or eat some traditional food…
Also I think the tour should include a trip inside Northmart. People should see what it’s like to live and shop in Tuk. It would make Tuk easier to ‘try on’ during the tour. We did get to dip our toes in the ocean - I was far too cold, but Lee did.
Also note, the picture at the end of the slide show - is Lee flying/landing the plane with his Captain helping… I’m so proud!
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