Cold, very cold

The deep freeze cold is now with us in Salluit. Sunday morning it was in the -20 C. The Bay is almost frozen over. There is a skim of ice over the entire bay but the tide may break it up a few more times. The ice will have to become thick and stable so that the Inuit can play their Christmas games out on the ice. All the ski-doos will line up, driving thru every street of the village in convoy, then out on to the ice. Once the ice is solid, the bay will be the main transportation route to the camps.

Last year when the dog sled races were held on the bay the entire school went down on the Bay to watch. I rode down on the school bus but as soon as the bus started out on the Bay, I asked to be let off. I walked. All the Inuit laughed at me but I spent my life around the Basin in Digby.. it never froze over . I don't completly trust the ice. The idea of drving in a multi ton bus out on the ice does not sit well with me.

Several times I have started to walk across but always chicken out. I have driven across on a skidoo, praying all the time, but I can't make myself walk it. Perhaps this year.

The concert is tomorrow so we are busy with the finishing touches. I'll be glad when this is over. Some fool has organized a day on the mountain for all the kids on Thursday. Walking up that mountain in all my gear is not easy. All that for a 30 second ride down. Cold, you can't begin to imagine it. It is easier when I play soccer as I at least get warm. But the chances for a heart attack go up.

Every part of you body gets cold. It seems like I get cold from the inside out. I have great gear... the best, but nothing keeps you warm in minus 20 degree weather after an hour or so. I guess I don't eat enough seal meat. I soon sneak off the hill to my house to prepare hot choc for the kids. It takes hours to prepare my receipe.
Think of us tomorrow night singing our little hearts out.
Pearl