I'm sure there's a diagnosis for this but, after you're up here a while, you can start to notice the people who aren't or haven't been for very long. Their questions seem silly and there tendencies make you smile. They all expect to have the conveniences they had at home and when the luxuries aren't found, they either chuckle in disbelief or throw a fit.
"What do you mean there's no beer store?"
I choose to criticise this issue publicly because when we chose to move up here we did our homework. If I was still in Ontario and was planning a week-long trip up here, I'd still do the same research and tap the same resources because the area is so remote and the way of life is so different. More over, the people that usually ask the most ridiculous questions are the people who have an incredible amount of clout; policemen and women, lawyers, doctors, GN workers, biologists . . . the list goes on.
"I didn't think it was going to be THIS cold..."
Coincidentally, we're about to return home for the first time since we arrived. I'm curious to see how much of a shock the "south" is for us. Believe me, I have a list of things that I have to do when I'm home and yes, a lot of them include some pretty immaterial things but, I'm wondering how we'll feel about it all. Will we miss the conveniences or have we come to love our new way of life?
I write this today feeling somewhat like a hypocrite. I don't mean to put my nose up or to knock anyone because it does take living up here to really grasp the way things are up here. Working in the hospitality industry up here gives me a clear insight to some people's niavety and ignorance but, I don't fully blame them. It just amazes me to see how some people are so knowledgable and others are completely oblivious. Between the YouTube Videos and the Northern Blogging community, there isn't a stone left unturned.
At the bar I continually tell travelers, hotel guests, and passer-bys that our blogs are the "go-to" resource guides to traveling to and from the Nunavut communities. During the G7 a lot of questions were thrown my way. I offered the same answer whether the person was German, American, British or Canadian:
"Google: 'Northern Nunavut Blog' . . . find one, and search them all."
7 comments:
Love your blog and I have been looking through the blogs and can't seem to connect with someone in Pang with young children. I am in the process of applying and planning to come to Pang to work and live, and am wishing that I can connect with someone in the area that came to Pang with their child... I want to ask about childcare, activities in the community for babies etc... can you possible point me in the right direction??? Jennifer
I find it interesting to go back over the 3 years I wrote my blog and see how much my posts changed as I became more accustomed to living in the north. I still say you guys in Iqaluit have it much, much easier then the folks in the smaller communities. If you can, you should go check one out. Life is totally different. You guys are going to be so shocked coming back to Ontario for the first time lol, have a great time. Enjoy the traffic.
Jennifer, I suggest you check out http://babies-bulldogs.blogspot.com/
Morena is moving to Pang, so not there yet, but still has the basic idea of living in the north with a kid, as she has been up north (& in a smaller community) for 2 years.
Loved this post. I can add without prejudice that even some teachers I have know were pretty clueless about life in small Nunavut communities. I worked with a guy a 3 years ago that was shocked that Arctic Bay had no sidewalks and no Legion Hall.
Its funny, but perhaps understandable to a degree, how much different people's conception of "North" can differ. I've worked all over the North the last 10 years and my current job near Ft. McMurray is the furthest south I've been during that time span. For my new fiancee though, McMurray is the furthest North she has been in her life.
The milder weather (it's been +12 the last couple days) is making my poor brain think its June or July rather than early March so I guess this is her payback.
:)
I'm loving your blog. As someone that is considering heading to Iqaluit for a few years, the blog has alleviated many of my concerns, and honestly makes me want to join this great community.....Please keep posting!
Cheers from Inuvik, NWT!
Marc
Hey Jordan and Steph : I am coming to your neck of the woods in May and was wondering if you wanted to hook up for dinner?
Sarah
Absolutley Sarah!
One of our first nights here we had dinner with a few Bloggers! Weèd be happy to share the sentiment!
May will be a nice time for you to come I hear!
All the best.
Jordan
to The Anonymous comment:
I would Check out the PANGBOUND.BLOGSPOT.COM site. It's our friend Tara . . .who is full of life and information about Pang. Her Blog is great and she's got great insights.
Good Luck!
. . and leave an e-mail next time!
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