It’s Christmas in the Arctic. Well, okay, it’s Christmas everywhere (except maybe Australia where it might already be Boxing Day). Tonight was one of those incredibly crisp clear nights, where the smoke from chimneys rises straight up. It’s getting cold, I think -35 or so, I’ll soon have to start wearing long underwear.
Tonight, as we walked down to the Gym for the Church Service the sky was so incredibly clear, stars nearer to earth than anywhere else. The Northern Lights were out, and although they were faint, they danced all across the sky. They stayed out all the while we walked.
If this hadn’t been a Sunday, there would have been games at the gym, but it is just as well there wasn’t. I was still trying to get some baking done this evening. Here in Arctic Bay, games dominate the Christmas season. Almost every night at the gym for three or four hours the community gets to gets together to play. Christmas itself, well it’s about family.
At ten we walked down to make it to the service, which starts at 10:30. It’s an ecumenical service with lots of singing, scriptures in Inuktitut and English, and then a count down to midnight. After countless handshakes, we head to Leah’s parents for tea, a bite of char stew, and to open presents.
Like I said, Christmas is about family, and as beautiful as the walk was, and as nice as the service was, our minds weren’t fully on them. Leah’s sister in Cape Dorset was overdue out on the land. She had been out with two other women and they had been due back Saturday evening, and hadn’t been heard of. Although she is very competent, this can be a very unforgiving place, and a multitude of dangers exist. The Search & Rescue committee in Cape Dorset was out looking, and we hoped for the best. Leah, could think of nothing else.
But when we returned to Leah’s parents good news. All were safe, they had had snowmobile problems, but had built an igloo and were perfectly snug. I guess that was the best present of the night. The only thing that could have equaled it was to have seen my family for Christmas.
Merry Christmas. I miss you all.
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I guess that goes to show you that knowing how to build an igloo is never a bad thing. 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas. May your family be safe, healthy and happy!
Yes, Boxing Day here Clare, and guess what, mid summer and there’s been snow on the mountains, from one extreme to the other. not enough to build a snow cave though. 😉
That is really good news that they were able to find them. Best presant. Thank you for the warm welcome and look forward to many transactions! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Oh, whew! A very, Merry Christmas to you and yours, Clare.
Merry Christmas, Clare!
Good news indeed, Clare, that all turned out well and that you did indeed have a Merry Christmas after all. Happy Boxing Day!
Thanks all, and Merry Christmas to you too. And yes, knowing how to build an igloo is a good thing, something I keep saying I’m going to learn. Knowing how to build one used to be a requirement for marriage in the Arctic (that and owning a dog team, and knowing how to hunt)
Glad to hear everything turned out okay, Clare. Best wishes to you, Leah, and your family in the coming year.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you and your family!