Waiting on the whale

The town is buzzing because the whale is on it's way into town.

Cape Dorset was lucky to be one of the few (three I think) Nunavut towns who have been given permission to hunt bowhead this year. There was a moratorium placed on their hunting in the 60's and they now allow a very limited few to be caught every year. To get the hunt is quite an honour and the town has been excitedly waiting for it to start all summer. The last 2 weeks the crew have been out looking for one and today it all came together.

The talk started around lunch time that 'they got the whale'. Then around 6 we heard that it was in so we excitedly packed up and went out to the beach. Turns out it was a false alarm. The hunters where still quite a ways out and the boats had supposedly run out of gas so some of them came in to get more. We now hear that they should be in around midnight so we sit and wait. I'm not much for dead things but you can't help but catch the fever. Seeing it will be a once in a lifetime thing for most people here. It's been so long since a bowhead was caught in the area that most of the town, even some of the elders, have never seen one. I'm truely excited to add this to my northern experience.

We've decided that no matter how late it is we're going to go check it out because we'd like to see it all in one piece. I'm told that it will take days to get it all butchered it's that big. They are also going to be on polar bear watch because the smell of the carcase is sure to attract them. Maybe I'll get lucky and get to see my first bear too.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have pictures for you.

A few quick facts about bowheads:
-They can grow up to 20 meters in length and can weigh up to 136 tonnes.
-They have the record for the larges mouth of any animal in the world.
-They can stay under water for as long as 40 minutes at a time.
-New born calves weigh approximately 1000 pounds.
-These whales can live up to 150 to 200 years and are believed to be the longest living mammal on earth.
-Their only real predators are orcas and humans.

'Green' with envy?

I bought a carving today. It seems to be a common theme with some of the 'new to the north' bloggers and I totally get their excitement. When Nick and I got here we bought so many carvings that we finally had to put a moratorium on it. Now we only buy if something is really special which doesn't always happen from the house to house salesmen. Well, special showed up at my door today and I couldn't resist.

The bear was carved by Noah Kelly who we have bought from before for other people. His trademark pointy headed bear is one I've admired but didn't have any of my own. The reason he's so special? He's green! The rock is green serpentine I'm told and it's hard to come by around here. Noah said he hadn't carved with it since he was a little boy. I have to say that the quality of the carving and the polishing is a little lacking. Even a novice like me can see that. But even so, for me the color made it a must buy. I liked the shape too. He's called a smelling bear as his head is up, smelling the air, hoping to catch a whiff of seal for dinner.

Mom, he needs a name. You always have suggestions on such things.

Newbie visits Cape Dorset

Today Oliver and I got to meet Sarah from Newbie in the arctic. She's been in town since Wednesday and I was happy she was able to fit us in to her busy schedule. We had lunch and and a great chat and it was a delightful afternoon. What a treat to meet another northern blogger and get to know the person behind the writing. I hope we get to hook up again sometime, maybe in Pang next time? You owe me lunch :)

Merman

Meat and potatoes

With his mom coming to town, Nick has been anticipating some good old mom cooking. Tonight was his first taste and she didn't disappoint him in the least. We had roast beef, roasted potatoes and corn, one of his favorite meals. I have attempted to make this same meal from him a few times but I just can't seem to make a decent roast beef. I'd imagine I'd get better at it if I tried more often but honestly, I don't like roast beef. I'm not a 'meat and potatoes' person. Don't get me wrong, I'm a carnivore and really love cow, I just don't enjoy slow roasted meat for some reason. This weekend we're having a huge turkey and Nick just can't wait.

On a completely different note... Today Oliver and I had our first play date in a while. Meaghan and Mercedes are back from their long vacation down south. It was great to have them back in town and Oliver was really happy to see Mercedes again. The only thing missing was Jen and Ezri. The kids kept trying for the same toys over and over and we almost ended up with baby UFC a few times. It was pretty cute. Nice to have you back guys, we'll do it again soon.

An eventful day

Today has been a little more interesting than the usual ho-hum that goes on in my life. Not that I don't like my life but the daily routine of being a mom just isn't that exciting sometimes. Now, when I tell you about it you may feel sorry for me that this is what I consider eventful but that's ok. It all started out as a regular morning. I went to the airport at 930 to start my shift and then....

I got to meet Leona Aglukkaq who had just arrived. In case you don't know, that's Canada's health minister. Today was her stop in Cape Dorset on her tour of the aboriginal communities. It was just a quick hello and welcome to Cape Dorset. She asked about Oliver (who was my co-worker today) and she told me she had a one year old at home. It's not like I think meeting her is a big deal cause she's just an regular person but still, something you don't do everyday.

Next, Oliver was 'recognised'. Someone asked if he was the baby from 'Babies and Bulldogs'. I was excited because it was someone I didn't know. It was a nice confirmation that people are reading.

And then.... one of the passengers today turned out to be someone that I went to Mount Allison University with a lifetime ago. He recognised me and after a few 'where are you from, do you know so and so' questions we figured out where we knew each other from. He's been travelling to the north for the last 10 years as a teacher and then as a carving buyer. I got to catch up on a few people I haven't thought of in years and once again confirmed that it really is a small world.

And finally, we have a visitor!! Oliver's Grammy (Nick's mom) arrive this evening on a much delayed flight. Unfortunately, by the time she got here O was so exhausted that he was was fast asleep before the tour of the town was over so they barely got to see each other. It's so nice to have another adult in the house to talk to. I love my husband but we are together 24/7 and we don't really do anything so there is only so much to talk about. Another voice is a welcome change... for a 2 week visit anyway.

Well, that wraps up my eventful day. Not exactly a day that rates on the southern exciting day scale but for my life lately, it was a good one.

And the winners are.....

I am pleased to announce the winners of this round of P(l)ay it Forward. Drrrrrrrrr (this is supposed to be a drum roll) If I call your name, please stand up and take a bow! Julie in Atlanta! Sarah in Pang!! and Nicole in Saint John!!!

I'm thrilled that the winners are from a wide spread area so the acts of kindness will reach farther out in the world. I hope you keep up your end of the bargain by doing something nice for someone in the next little while and encourage them to continue the trend. Spread the love people! If you're one of the winners please send me an email at morena steeves at gmail dot com (no spaces) with your address and I'll get your prize in the mail this week.

Thanks for everyone who chose to play and congrats to the winners.