Saturday April 6, 2024

 


Good morning:

I don't know why, but it takes about a day before the pictures I take make it to google pictures!!

The ice fishing trip yesterday was so wonderful.  We all gathered at the school at the usual time.  At 9:45, we were all invited to go outside to board our transport to the frozen fishing spot.  It was about 20 below, with a hefty wind blowing--though the sun was shining and it was a cloudless sky.  I got to ride with the Director, on the super hot ski doo along with the auger, and the one of the several rifles that also came along for protection from the polar bears and other wild life.

We made sure all the children were dressed properly.  Sometimes some kids arrive with not hats or gloves.  We scurried around to find the necessary items, and away we went.

Travelling on the snow mobile is kind of like riding on a motor cycle--but not so smooth.  When you are on the frozen ocean, in Hudson Straight, the surface is very bumpy, and you see ice sculptures made by nature all along the way.  Thomassie was a very good driver, so we were able to go up and down hills without falling off!  One ski doo went too fast, and the driver and passenger where thrown.  Fortunately, no injuries.

Once we got to the spot, holes were drilled, and everyone was given a fishing stick.  It is just that--a piece of wood no longer then 9 inches, with twine wrapped around it, and a 4 pronged fish hook and a spinner--I think that is what you call them--a silver thing to attract the fish.  The tent was put up, and the coleman stoves turned on, boiling up snow for water.  Away we went!!

We fished for about an hour, when the the first and only fish was caught!!  It was pretty small--but a fish nevertheless!  It was quickly fried up for lunch.

As we were waiting for the lunch, students climbed the little hill behind us, and just floated down the hills on their behinds--no sleds needed!!  What fun.

It is a good fishing area says Thomassie, but not yesterday!!  There is a commercial boat at the frozen dock.  It is used by the community, and all the fish caught goes to the residents.  Everyone here works together--it is a nice village.


This is Thomassie, the school director and organizer of the event.

Love the Inuit parkas.

Getting ready.

Yes--eat your heart out, motor cycle lovers!!

Quite the machine!! The rifle and auger--all you need!!

Here is our convoy, leaving the village for the hills beyond, and down on to the frozen, Hudson Straight.  You can see the commercial fish boats, on the frozen inlet.

Sliding on your bottom.

Arriving, and getting organized.

This is Tommy with his fishing stick, looking for fish!!

You see how simple the fishing pole is.  One lady here catches 20 or more fish at a single outing, using this kind of line.  She should have come with us!!

Tent almost set up

These sleds are used for everything--carrying people, supplies, water containers--what ever.  They are made from cargo crates--no trees here.

This is a colleague--a lovely new friend.  I am teaching her son piano.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Saturday May 25, 20204 Graduation

Image
 Hello all Graduation night!!  Wow.  Two young ladies and one gentleman.  I didn't know any of them, as I wasn't teaching the senior grades.  I also don't really know anything about them, where they are from, their parents or relatives.  But I must tell you it was the most dramatic graduation I have ever witnessed. About 200 villagers, and youth gathered in the decorated gym about 4:00 PM, this Saturday afternoon.  The graduates came into the space  where everyone was standing, clapping and cheering.  They took their seats, and the principal began the ceremony. There wasn't a sound as she spoke. She told the audience how proud she was of the students, and how their hard work, commitment to study, and regular school attendance  had paid off.  One by one each graduate was introduced by a parent, teacher, and a mother and daughter team.  It was clear that these speakers were bursting with pride as they introduced their graduate....
Read more

Revisiting China--2024

Image
 Hello friends I had hoped to keep you all up to speed on my trip to China, but I was not able to access blogger because it is a google thing.  China does not do google.  I also had no shaw the whole time away, so I had to rely in Gmail--at least that sort of worked. It was so wonderful to see so many people after four years.  I set up a daily schedule of visitations, and made over 23 visits to families, former students and colleagues.  The trip took me to Fuzhou, where Bert had rented me a one bedroom apartment.  I used that as my headquarters, and traveled to Ningde, Xiamen, Quanghou, Beijing and Huiyang. My friends helped me immensely by booking the tickets for me, and it was easy to pay them, using transfer, on my Chinese Bank account.  They also helped me to book the taxi rides in and around the cities I visited.  Taxi is very cheap.  Lili, in Fuzhou, took me out to the university, and took me around a lot to visit.  Sharron, in Bei...
Read more

Food in China!!

Image
 Hi again This blog will try to explain how important food is in China.  During the Cultural Revolution, many people died of starvation.  Since then, having enough food to eat has been a number one focus. Food is the center of celebrations, marriages, holidays, birthdays and funerals.  It is a huge industry!  In Fuzhou, seafood is the special.  Other parts of the country specialize in other things--hot, spicy and so on. When you go out for dinner, the host orders.  They get there ahead of everyone else, and go to the food room.  All of the dishes sold at that restaurant are displayed around a room.  Large tanks with fish, crab and any other sea food are also there.  You go with a restaurant person and order the dishes.  Usually between 12 and 13.  Sometimes, you have a private dining room with your own wait staff, bathroom, and sitting room.  At less expensive places, you sit at a round table in a large dining room with ot...
Read more