Habitat in Iqaluit: Week Two - pg 2
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In August, Sandy Berg, our intrepid Executive
Director, left the tropic-like comfort of Kingston to
join a group of similarly dedicated Habitat folk in the moist and
mosquito infested Land of the North: Iqaluit, Nunavut.
These are their stories ...
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Day 10
Monday August 13
The sun poked through the forecast clouds. we wanted to
complete the roof and dry out the house for insulation and
drywall…..but the next 3 days are calling for rain. Started work
early and worked late in hopes of getting ahead of the weather.
Deb left for home today. David leaves tomorrow. Cathy leaves
Wednesday. Lots to do. Thank goodness the locals are so reliable
and productive!
Yesterday, we saw jet fighters performing maneuvers. Operation
Nanook, a 10-day arctic sovereignty exercise by the Canadian
Forces, is apparently under way in the waters between Nunavut and
what will become Nunavik, PQ. I think the frigate has left. The
ice breaker left 2 days ago. Our B&B host, Eric, became a father
last evening.
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Today we had a quick cultural tour before lunch,
hence the carved walrus tusk.
We saw low tide.
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 I saw more
beautiful tundra flowers in bloom--
the cotton flower is obvious. Apparently the cotton is used for
candle wicks.
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Habitat homeowner, Pau,
wrote my name in Inuktitut.
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Volunteer Emily and daughter, Cheyanne taking a break.
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Habitat Canada CEO David Hughes and Habitat
Northumberland Executive Director Cathy Lyons enjoying the
atmosphere.
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Neil and Ken who have done so much for Habitat for Humanity, I
cannot begin to list it all, were showing productivity with a
smile.
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Time for bed. It's another early start tomorrow but we
apparently aren't working late.
It's been a great day! Must get sleep. Good night.
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Day 11
Tuesday August 14
We are cold and tired. The weather calls for rain for the next
several days. The rain fell continuously. We are trying hard to
dry out the house so that we can proceed with insulation and
drywall.
Today, I framed in the window openings with plastic, to keep
the rain out. Mike spent much of today consulting with various
folks trying to locate the roof material for the house so that we
can get the roof on. Without the roof, insulation and drywall
cannot proceed to completion.
Neil and Ken finished framing the interior walls. The Porch Men
(Don and Serge) finished framing and sheathing the front porch.
Orest and Alfred worked on the back deck. Cathy and I installed
vapour barrier over the insulated walls.
It was cold all day but the house was a few degrees warmer
inside after covering the windows and insulating the walls. You
could see your breath. The guys working outdoors were numb by
day’s end.
Another productive day.
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Lunch was a HIGH point!!!!
Carol brought arctic char and baked potatoes and cranberry
tarts. We love Carol and her cooking!!!!
We are going shopping at North Mart where you can buy anything
ranging from milk to clothes to animal pelts.
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Heavy fog settled in today and prevented flights in and out
hence of Iqaluit hence David did not leave today. Cathy and David
are now scheduled to fly out tomorrow.
In other news, Paqitut Maguc is Inuktitut for Team 2.
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