Well, where to start, where to start? I guess I will start with my Hamlet day experience. I still haven’t got a definite answer to what Hamlet Day actually celebrates, but from what I have gathered it has something to do with the signing of the papers of Nunavut. The day began well, I got to sleep in. Things in this town usually don’t begin to after noon anyways. Before that time on any day it is rather lifeless. The festivities were to begin at one o’clock. Here however that means two o’clock or later. In Pond Inlet there doesn’t seem to be schedule. No one seems to go by clocks here. It takes a bit of adjusting to get use to. The festivities took place outside on the lake. When we arrived there were people everywhere. It seemed like everyone and their dog were out. The first game I observed was a game well known to the Inuit apparently. They take turns using a whip, probably about 12 feet long or more, made of caribou hyde to whip a pop can quite a distance away. Anyone who was able to knock the can over in three tries won a prize. I did not try because the lines to do so were quite long, but even if the opportunity did arise I don’t know if I would have because knowing me I would have accidently tangled myself into the whip or hit some innocent kid walking by. It was better for everyone that I simply observed. While watching a group of my student’s sat with me and chatted for a bit, while a few of the more mischievous ones decided to hide behind a hill and throw snowballs. It was amusing because they did not expect me to catch them doing so or throw a snowball back.
Later that evening, more festivities took place at the “C Hall”. These activities were more for the adults, although there was no lack of kids. I was able to see a few activities through my mob of kids that surrounded me for the evening. One activity was a dance. A person on the microphone directed people and anyone who was the last to what was being said or did not do so was out. During one part the announcer said “stand neck and neck with someone”. Of course this was in Inuktitut. I was wondering what the heck I would have done if I was participating and someone tried to come in for that action because I would have had no sweet clue what was being said and what the directions were. Probably would have made for a good laugh. During another activity participants were given cards. The outer circle would walk around the inner circle holding out their cards for them to see. When the music stopped the inner circle of people had to grab a card off the floor and run to find their match in the outer circle. The last person to do to this, as well as their partner, were eliminated. It was really amusing to watch. The atmosphere of the whole place was just so energized and comforting. Most of my time however was spent talking to my students who were there. I was so wrapped up in Hamlet Day that I forgot it was also my least favourite day of the year…April Fools Day. Lets just say that my kids did not forget. They had me convinced of a million things. Such things as there was a snowmobile accident in the town earlier that day, that one of them caught a seal, that one of them was moving, that I was growing a grey hair on the top of my hair, etc. Each time however it was followed by a chant of “Hey Mandy, April Fools!”. I am so gullible. You would of thought I’d catch on. I told them that before I left I was going to get them back for their little pranks and mark my word I will. I also tried to convince them that they all had detention, but apparently I am not as convincing as them. I guess they have a few things to teach me.
So today Sarah and I walked to one of Pond Inlet’s grave yards. We had to conquer a big mountain to get there, but it was worth it. I was surprised to see how many young people were buried there. Lots of infants, small children and young adults. Most graves were engraved in Inuktitut so they were hard to understand. On the way home I decided to not risk venturing down the huge mountain and fall and break my neck so I resorted to my childhood. I laid down and rolled all the way down. I’m not going to lie a large part of it was because I was far too lazy to walk. I will also openly admit that it was loads of fun. Sarah and I have also mentioned to our hosts that one of the things we were interested in doing while here was going out on a dog sled ride. We were told that it was going to run us a pretty penny, probably a few hundred dollars. Although it would probably be worth it for the experience we let go of the hope because we were just not willing to dish out that kind of money. However, today our host managed to hook us up. He talked to the mayor of Pond Inlet who has a dog sled team and arranged to have him take us out tomorrow for fifty bucks each, which is an awesome rate. We are so excited to go. We will make sure to get lots of pictures and wear lots of socks. Frost bite/wind burn will not strike me twice.
Some random things I am unsure how to fit into the rest of my paragraphs today:
1. In the elementary school, the teachers teach their own class gym. I cannot envision myself teaching gym. Not only do I not know how to play most sports, but I believe it would be a hazard to myself and my students.
2. Drinking water is delicious here. We drink iceberg water. They actually travel out to an iceberg gather chunks of it and melt it down. It is so good. I am dreading having to go back to city water. It can't even compare to this.
3. I saw another dead seal today. It was right next door to us. It has been sitting out there all day. They better take it in soon or the local dogs and other animals will get into it. Man those things are MASSIVE up close. I learned today that they have little claws, I always thought they just had little flippers.
4. The nurses up here have a lot more duties and responsibilities compared to the nurses at home. Not to say they are anymore important here and that the nurses aren’t valuable at home because they are. Up here however they are basically like doctors.
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